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Dude Ranch Vacation
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At a Glance
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| HIGHLIGHTS | |
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| Famous For: | Wilderness tenting pack rides, rustic backcountry lodge rides, learning enriched/interpretive pack rides |
| Capacity: | 30 |
| Open: | Year round |
| Altitude: | 4500-8000 |
| Location: | 80 miles from Calgary, Alberta |
| Reservations: | (800) 661-8352 |
| Rates: | $122.00 daily, $1123.00 weekly (varies by trip) |
| Minimum Stay: | none |
| Deposit: | $150.00 Cdn per person |
| Payment: | Visa, M/C, Amex, Diners, Travelers Cheques, Personal Cheques |
| Closest Airports: | Calgary International |
| Transportation: | Shuttle services available |
| Travel Agents: | YES |
| FEATURED AMENITIES | |||
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 Corporate Groups, MeetingsSmall (under 50) Cross-Country SkiingCuisineRanch/Western Dude/Guest RanchesFishingFly Fishing Fish on Your Own Type of Fish Trout HikingOn Your Own |
Historic - National Historic SiteHorseback RidingHot Springs Nearby (within 30 miles) LiquorAvailable Bring Your Own Naturalist GuidesPack TripsSpecialized Outfitter |
Rafting Nearby (within 30 miles) Remote LocationNo Electricity Winter Months Open (Nov-March)Cross-Country Skiing Sleigh Rides Snow Shoeing WomenOnly | |
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| LODGING |
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| Warner Guiding and Outfitting offers both wilderness tenting accommodation and the comforts of home in a rustic lodge setting. 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 was declared a historical site in 1990. It was used as a refuge for mountain guides and packers travelling 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 fir 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 travelling 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. Our Wilderness tenting trips explore some of Banff National Park's most spectacular back country. Join us on a 4, 5, or 6 day Wilderness Tenting Ride in the Cascade Valley. 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 or brave swimmers. |
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| RECREATION |
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| On each of our rides, guests ride for 2 1/2 to 3 hours in each the morning and afternoon. Lunch breaks are leisurely, offering a chance for riders to fish glacial streams and creeks, hike mountain trails, or enjoy a snooze in the grass. Evenings are filled with fun and laughter, campfire stories and roasted marshmallows. |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| Children must be at least 9 years of age to participate. Wilderness tenting rides in June/Sept are limited to adults only. |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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| 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, or a turkey meal fit for a king. Liquor and beer are available; please inquire. |
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| BUSINESS/MEETINGS |
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| Private bookings for wilderness tenting or lodging rides are available; please inquire. |
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Alberta Outfitters Association |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| Other than pack trips, Warner Guiding & Outfitting also offers accommodation for cross country skiers in the winter time. Banff Sundance lodge offers a cozy nights accommodation for any level of skier. Sleigh rides are also available from Martin Stables in Banff. |
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| HISTORY/HOSTS |
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| Ron Warner, owner and host, came to Banff in 1962 and worked for Claude Brewster. In 1964, Brewster offered Ron and friend Mac MacKenzie the chance to supply horses for half of the Banff operation, which included the Banff Springs Corral, Red Barn, and all backcountry trips. The Trail Rider store (our retail store and check-in point for all rides) was started in 1970. In '74, Ron and Mac bought out the Brewster operation. From there, things began to grow. To date, Ron Warner operates Martin Stables, The Fairmont Banff Springs Corral, Banff Sundance Lodge, Halfway Lodge, as well as three semi-permanent tent camps. With a herd of over 350 horses and mule, and a staff of over 80 in the summer, Warner Guiding and Outfitting has a horseback ride to suit almost anyone. |
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| ITINERARY |
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| Wilderness Tenting Rides: The 4 day trip departs Mondays and stays one night in Stoney Creek, Flints Park and Mystic camps. The 5 day trip departs Saturdays and stays one night in Stoney Creek camp, two nights in Flints Park camp and one night in Mystic camp. The 6 day trip departs on Wednesdays, stays two nights in Stoney Creek, two nights in Flints Park and one night in Mystic. Day 1 - The riders meet at our office at 8:30 a.m. and are transported by van to the trailhead corral at Mount Norquay. There they are met by their guides and horses, and mount up for the eleven mile ride over Elk Lake Summit between Brewster Mountain and Cascade Mountain, and down into Stoney Creek Camp. Day 2 - A ride is taken toward the headwaters of Stoney Creek, returning to camp for the night. This area is a favorite haunt of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, who are often grazing in the high meadows, providing ample opportunity for pictures. Day 3 - The riders roll up their duffel, mount up, and ride the ten miles to Flint's Park Camp. This camp, located in the center of open, grassy ridges topped with high peaks, has become a favorite of many of our riders. Wildlife is commonly seen and photographed in this area. Day 4 - A day ride is conducted from camp to Block Mountain, or perhaps to Cuthead Viewpoint - just two of the many points of interest accessible from Flint's Park. This area has much to offer the rider, photographer, hiker and fisherman alike. Day 5 - Once again the riders roll up their duffel in preparation for the ride to the Mystic Valley Camp. At this time the guests have the opportunity to observe the historic art of horse packing, using the famous diamond hitch. When everything is securely in place, the riders mount up and ride into Mystic Valley for the final night. It is traditional with our guides to have a real western dinner for the last night. By this time everyone has become friends, and all are ready for a wind-up get-together. Day 6 - Unfortunately, every trip has a last day, but what better way to end the trip than with the scenic nine mile ride from Mystic Valley to the Mount Norquay Corral. The "Full Circle" has been completed and the riders return to Banff at approximately 5:00 p.m. Backcountry Lodge Rides: Day 1 - Riders meet at our office at 9:30 a.m. and are transported by van to Martin Stables. There they are met by their guides and horses and mount up for the ten mile ride to Banff Sundance Lodge via the glacier-fed waters of the Bow River, Healy and Brewster Creeks. For those with a vehicle, free parking is available at Martin stables for the duration of the trip. Once you check-in, directions will be available from our office. Day 2 - The adventure continues southward with a ride up to Halfway Lodge. The trail winds along the historic Strom pack trail with the rugged Sundance Range dominating the eastern horizon. Day 3 - After a good night's rest at Halfway Lodge and a hearty breakfast, it's down to the corral to mount up for the day's ride. Trips may take riders to the headwaters of Brewster Creek or to the breathtaking views enjoyed at the top of Allenby Pass, at an elevation of 8,100 ft. Day 4 - After a warm good-bye to the cook and Halfway, the winding trail leads back along the Brewster creek to Sundance Lodge. This will be home for the next 2 nights. Day 5 - The day begins with a hot, ranch-style breakfast; fuel for the ride up Fatigue Creek. At midday, both horse and rider enjoy a restful break in the Fatigue Valley, while the lunch mule is unpacked and coffee is brewed. The lofty heights of the Continental Divide provide spectacular vistas of both Alberta and British Columbia. Day 6 - The gang gets together for one last day on the trail, a "soft" ten-mile ride from Sundance to Martin Stables, arriving at approximately 4:30 p.m. The adventure has come to a close, but the magic of your holiday will linger on to be relived and shared. |
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