Pack horse at Job Lake


Looking down at Brazeau River


The fishing is good


A break on the trail


Enjoying the view.


Packed and ready for the trail.


July in the high country.


Horseman in the high country.


Lunch break at timberline.


Young wrangler.
2011

PACK TRIPS

The Explorer


DAY 1

All gear and luggage is sorted at our base camp and loaded on to pack horses by the guides and crew and secured with a diamond hitch. The packtrain then starts up Coral creek on its way to hearts and diamonds, which is the name of our campsite near the headwaters of the Coral creek. ( riding time - approx. 7 hours) Our cook then prepares the evening meal and some time is spent around the campfire getting to know each other.

DAY 2

Breakfast is served in the Kitchen tent about 08:00 – 08:30. Guests pack up their tents and luggage, while the guides and packers catch, saddle, and pack the horses, in preparation for the move to Job creek. After every thing is loaded and packed it is time to start up the spectacular Job Pass with the pack horses leading and the guests coming behind the pack horses (it is done this way for safety reasons) Job pass is approx. 8500 ft. in elevation and very steep on the Job side. We require everyone to walk down this side. Once down on the bottom on Job, it is time to take a break and enjoy your lunch and the great scenery. Then it is off down scenic Job creek to our campsite at the mouth of blue creek, where the horses are unloaded and tents set up while the cook prepares dinner. Approx 4 – 5 hours riding.

DAY 3

Breakfast at approx. 09:00 – 09:30, then it is off to Job Lake for the day ride, where Guests can swim, hike, look for bighorn sheep, or just relax for the day. Riding time - approx. 3 hrs.

DAY 4

Breakfast 08:00 – 08:30, after which the pack horses will be loaded for the trip to the Brazeau River, where we will camp at a site known as the “Greasebone”. Riding time – approx. 4 hrs.

DAY 5

Breakfast 09:00 – 09:30, then, either one of several available day rides, or a relaxing day by the river which can include fishing, or other leisurely activities

DAY 6

BBreakfast 8:00 – 8:30. Again, we load the horses and make our way back to the Job creek camp.

DAY 7

Breakfast at 08:00 – 08:30 Today, we are off once more to Hearts and Diamonds, navigating Job Pass again.

DAY 8

Breakfast 09:00 – 09:30 then a day ride to Coral Lake, situated in a beautiful high mountain basin well above timberline. Riding time – approx. 3 hrs.

DAY 9

Breakfast at 08:00 – 08:30 then prepare to load the horses for the return trip over Job Pass and back to hearts and diamonds camp.

DAY 10

Breakfast 08:00 -08:30 and prepare for the return trip down Coral creek to our Base Camp at the foot of Mount Stelfox, where there will be cold beverages and a BBQ. awaiting the arrival of the packtrain.






Notes:

Evenings are generally spent around a campfire, however there are times when it is not allowed, due to fire bans sometimes imposed on us because of hot dry weather. All riding times are approximate, and it must be realized that this is the basic program and it is sometimes varied due to weather. We try to be very flexible in our program in order to accommodate different types of people, and sometimes change day rides, or even occasionally camps if we have returning guests who have already done the basic program.( There are many different day rides that we can do in some areas, all of which are great). There a number of factors that can change times and schedules to a limited degree, including weather and horses. As well there are numerous opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing (this also varies because of the group and/or weather) and trout fishing, along the way. These trips go into one of the last remaining true wilderness areas left in North America, and it is a true wilderness experience, and although you do not need to be an expert rider or experienced outdoorsman, you must realize that the weather does not always cooperate with us, and at times difficulties arise along the way. This is what is referred to as a soft adventure package. We have a knowledgeable and experienced crew, who know how to keep people safe and as comfortable as possible. Guests are welcome to, and encouraged to participate in camp chores, caring for or saddling and packing horses in any capacity that they feel comfortable in, as long as it is considered by the crew to be safe. Most things are done the same way they were done 100 years ago, simply because it is what works best. Our insurance company requires liability waivers to be signed by each rider prior to riding.


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