McKenzies' Trails West

Welcome everyone to our new Trail Talk blog.  This is going to be our way of keeping everyone updated and informed as to the goings on with McKenzies’ Trails West. We welcome your input as this is the  newest chapter in our “internet adventure”. Hang on and check back often, it should be quite a ride!

Located near the mouth of the Cline River where it flows into beautiful Lake Abraham, this is a ‘jumping off point’ for some of the most remote and unspoiled mountain wilderness left anywhere in the province today. Cline River is situated in the heart of the Saskatchewan River valley, just below the Kootenay Plains, and only minutes from Banff National Park. This area is noted for its’ dry climate both summer and winter and was a popular wintering ground for natives, fur traders, and many species of big game in years past. We are proud to offer you a unique horseback riding vacation in some of the most spectacular wilderness in the Canadian Rockies. Now into the second generation of outfitting, we bring you collectively over 70 years experience in the field of outdoor adventure and horsemanship. We have built our reputation on hard work, respect for the environment and love of what we do. The name ‘McKenzies’ Trails West’ is your guarantee of a fabulous outdoor experience and Western hospitality at its best.

Ron McKenzie

Howdy Friends:

My name is Ron McKenzie and I am the owner/operator of McKenzies’ Trails West Ltd., a second generation, tourism oriented, full service, family operated outfitting business. I have spent over 40 years in the Cline River area growing up and guiding clients from all around the globe through what many consider to be some of the most beautiful and pristine wilderness areas in the entire world. I essentially took control of the operation, along with Mom Milly, from my father Ed, who died suddenly in December 1994. For 10 years before then I was a partner with my parents and a couple of brothers,   and from the time I was a youngster, I served as a guide for the company. The business was formally started by my father and mother, Ed and Milly McKenzie in the 1960’s. For 2 decades prior to that my father Ed guided clients for many of the original old time outfitters in the area. My grandfather Tom McKenzie packed freight and supplies to the mine in Nordegg from Red Deer, Alberta before that, and my great uncle Gilbert headed up the sawmill operations in Nordegg and was a personal friend and acquaintance of founder Martin Nordegg. So as you can see our family history in this area goes back a good long way. I am the oldest of 9 children, all of whom have worked for or still do work for the family business. I am very proud to make mention of the fact that my son and numerous nephews and nieces are involved in the business and some of them are learning the trade at a fairly young age. For their age they are very competent with the horses, life in the wilderness, and have increasingly good people skills.

Laurie McKenzie

My wife Laurie takes a lead role in sales and marketing, as well as Public relations, and a host of other behind the scenes jobs. Throughout the season there is opportunity to meet many of my other brothers & sisters,    nephews, nieces, and various other family members, including, from time to time, co-founder of the company ~ my mother Milly, all of whom show up periodically to help out and keep in touch with their western heritage and the family traditions. I sincerely hope that you will be able to come out and enjoy some time with us in the McKenzie family tradition. Ron McKenzie.