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07 Jan

WILDERNESS PACK TRIPS

The Adventure of a Lifetime!

Taking a Break in the High Country

Taking a Break in the High Country

As I sit in our Log Cabin looking out at our quiet, snow covered Base Camp that we call home, I look forward to our Summer season and meeting folks from all over the world.

With busy schedules and the daily hustle and bustle of urban & suburban living, I doubt that many of our friends & future friends have had the opportunity to really head to the hills and ‘Unplug’.  That’s where we come in, offering a chance to seriously get away from it all, no phones, no computers, no TV ~ just you and your horse.  And a few good friends of course!

Heading up the trail for an Adventurous Wilderness Pack Trip!

Heading up the trail for an Adventurous Wilderness Pack Trip!

 Just picture yourselves heading up the mountain trails, listening to the sounds of horse hooves clomping along, smelling the purest air imaginable, taking in scenery that will probably bring tears of joy and ear-to-ear smiles and simply getting back to Pioneer basics.  All you need to wear are some old jeans, good riding boots and a few layers for the variable mountain weather.  No need for labels here except perhaps Wranglers.

My husband Ron, has been riding these mountains for decades and has shared his knowledge and experience both with guests and our Wrangler/Guides.  In fact our lead Wrangler will be getting married this summer ~ Pack Trip style ~ way up in the pristine wilderness that is our ‘backyard’!

Majestic Mountains & Meadows surround You!

Majestic Mountains & Meadows surround You!

We keep our rides to small groups ~ 4 to 10 guests ~ in order to provide a great experience and highly personalized service.  Riding time varies by day, weather conditions and destination.  (There are more details about this on our Pack Trip pages) 

We’ve added a ‘new’ 4 Day Pack Trip for this season which heads up to our Camp at Hearts ‘n Diamonds.  To get up there takes about 8 hours in the saddle, with a lunch stop along the way.  3 nights will be spent in Camp with plenty of time for enjoying the surrounding area, mountain creek, fishing, wildlife and amazing photography opportunities.  Day 4 is up early to pack the horses then head back to Base Camp where we’ll have our famous Cowboy BBQ ready to welcome you ‘home’.  Besides, we really enjoy hearing the stories and adventures that were encountered on the trails and from around the campfire!

From our Cabin Porch we watch a Pack Trip Returning

From our Cabin Porch we watch a Pack Trip Returning

This 4 Day Hearts ‘n Diamonds trip is perfect for those who might not have enough time for our longer 6 & 10 Day trips.  Great Pack Trip for families or friends or even as a corporate team building adventure.  Nothing like spending days in the Wilderness to refresh & inspire!

Good Strong Horses for Mountain Climbing!

Good Strong Horses for Mountain Climbing!

Our first scheduled Hearts ‘n Diamonds trip will leave here on Sunday, July 11th at 9:00AM and return on Wednesday evening, July 14th.  I highly recommend booking early for this exciting 4 Day Pack Trip.  Cost for this trip is only $1000 Cdn including tax.

So give us a call to make your Reservation:  403-721-2132 and for further information about this and our other Pack Trip dates, Cowboy BBQ & Music events and more!  

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!  Laurie McKenzie

Nobody Leaves Here Hungry!

Nobody Leaves Here Hungry!

 

Cameras & Cowboy Boots

30 Nov
Nothing like fresh mountain spring water to quench your thirst

Nothing like fresh mountain spring water to quench your thirst

It’s rare that I’m outside without my camera.  Always Taking Pictures!The photo opportunities here seem endless no matter what the season is.  Living in these Rocky Mountains, surrounded by ’stupendous granduer’, I always enjoy trying to capture some of the scenery or people enjoying moments out here, the wildlife and the vast array of mountain flora and fauna.  Even as an amatuer photographer there’s so much inspiration and it’s not hard to get some great shots.  Besides, ‘A picture is worth a Thousand words’, and I’m better at pictures than writing.  So you’ll be seeing many photos posted on this Blog, can’t help it!

Indian Paintbrush

Indian Paintbrush

With that in mind, we’ve added new special Photography Day Trips, ‘Cameras & Cowboy Boots’, for next season.  The best time of year for mountain flowers is mid-July through August.

Of course there’s always something wonderful to take photos of, in any season.  Whether you’re an amatuer or professional, a day in the saddle out in the mountain wilderness will be fun and memorable.  These photography trailrides will leave our Base Camp at 9am and return between 4 & 5pm.

Mountain Tiger Lily

Mountain Tiger Lily

Included will be an experienced Wrangler who knows this area well, your hearty pack lunch and our famous Cowboy BBQ upon your return.  Minimum of 4 guests to book this ride.  Cost is $250 Cdn, plus taxes, at least for now it’s only 5% here in Alberta.

As I learn how to work this Blog layout, please be patient!   But I hope that the beautiful pictures will make up for my learning curve!

Patiently Waiting
Art & Mugsy patiently waiting while we hike down the canyon for photo ops.

There’s such an abundance of photography subjects out here!  We sincerely hope that you’ll join us for a visit and see firsthand this amazing Rocky Mountain Wilderness!  Happy Trails!

We offer Gift Certificates ~ a perfectly memorable Gift!

 

Some more great footage from McKenzies Trails West…

22 Oct

Check out the majestic beauty of the wilderness around McKenzies’  Trails  West at the Cline River in  Alberta, Canada. Imagine taking your next Horseback Riding Vacation with the McKenzies and experiencing this live…

enjoy…

 

McKenzies Trails West featured in Horseman’s DVD Magazine Video…

22 Oct

Watch some beautiful footage of the Canadian Rockies and Wilderness available on your next Horseback Riding Vacation at McKenzies Trails West Resort… www.mckenzietrailswest.com

 

Welcome to Trail Talk – your horseback riding vacations blog…

22 Oct

Welcome to Trail Talk – your horseback riding vacations blog.

Ron McKenzie

horseback riding vacation

Laurie McKenzie - Horseback Vacation Expert

Laurie McKenzie - Horseback Vacation Expert

horseback riding vacation