Warner Guiding & Outfitting, Ltd.

Lodging

Backcountry Lodge Trips: On trips 2-6 days in length you visit Sundance Lodge. Only the 4, 5 and 6 day trips journey deeper into the wilderness to Halfway Lodge.

Completed in 1991, Sundance Lodge now sits on the original site of the horse corral for Ten-Mile cabin, built by Canadian Pacific Railway back in the 1920's. The cabin itself remains standing and in use and was declared a historical site in 1990. It was used as a refuge for mountain guides and packers traveling to Mount Assiniboine, whose names you can still see carved into the logs. Sundance Lodge sits alongside a gentle curve on Brewster Creek, with the Sundance mountain range as a backdrop. Built entirely with pine logs, the lodge has 10 sleeping rooms, a large country kitchen, and a cozy living room area where you can curl up by the woodstove and lose yourself in a good book. And although it is a remote backcountry lodge, we decided to add what we felt was an important comfort from home - hot showers! (Please note that, for environmental reasons, showers are restricted to one per stay.)

Surrounded by the beauty of towering peaks, Halfway Lodge has been a welcome haven for over 75 years. Rich in tradition, this cabin was used back in the late 1920's by mountain guide Erling Strom as a stopover for his guests traveling from Banff to Mount Assiniboine. Then a single storied cabin, Strom's wranglers spent the night sleeping in tents while the guests found floor space within. Halfway has remained pretty much as originally built, with the exception of a second story added in 1967 when a bear made an appearance through an unexpected entrance - the roof! Thanks to the bear, Halfway now sleeps a maximum of fourteen guests. The lifestyle at this rustic backcountry cabin remains much the same as it was 75 years ago - simple. Propane lanterns and candles provide the lighting, and a woodstove keeps the water hot and the cabin warm and cozy.

Wilderness Tent Trips:  4-6 day trips take you around the full circle. The 3 day trip spends both nights at Mystic Valley Tent Camp.

Our Wilderness Tenting Rides explore some of Banff National Park's most spectacular back country.  Each of the 3 camps on the circuit offer their own particular charms. Stoney Creek Camp sits at the junction of Stoney Creek and the Cascade River, and offers the rugged, sculptured peaks of the Palliser Range as a backdrop. Flints Park Camp is nestled into the base of massive Flints Peak. Open vistas and starry nights highlight this beautiful camp. The last camp is aptly called Mystic, with its stands of big, old pine and spruce trees covered with hanging moss, and open, grassy slides; this camp is set in a truly mystical location. All the camps are of a similar set up. Simple luxuries abound: wash stands and hot water, a fire pit for evening socializing, tales and song, a large kitchen tent where meals are cooked and served, plenty of "A" frame canvas tents which make for cozy accommodations, and rustic rail corrals for the horses. Rivers flow nearby for the fishermen and brave swimmers.

Activities

Daily rides lead to mountain passes, river crossings, alpine meadows and high alpine lakes, and thick bush opening up to amazing views. Average time in the saddle is 6-8 hours depending on trip and distance needed to cover each day. Lunch breaks are on the trail and leisurely.  We do stop for 'pit-stops' throughout the day or as needed.  Evenings are filled with fun and laughter, campfire stories and roasted marshmallows.

Children

Children must be at least 9 years of age to participate. Wilderness tenting rides in June/Sept are limited to adults only.

Dining

Meals are ranch style, 5-course meals, served up by our own fabulous cowgirl cooks. Enjoy a hearty roast beef meal with all the fixins, a turkey meal fit for a king and many other home-cooked delights. Liquor and beer are available; please inquire.

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