Canada - Alberta Rockies Great Divide

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from HE of Bentham on 28/09/2024

Riders are advised to arrive in Calgary the day before as the ride starts early in the morning. We can help you book accommodation for the night before and/or after if required.

Day 1
The day begins gathering at the stables at 9:30 a.m. The hosts will transport the horses and gear to the Etherington trailhead, where the wagons will be loaded. Once everything is prepared, mount the horses and emabark on the trail to camp. The group will ride up Etherington Creek to the Great Divide Trail, ascend over Baril Peak and descend to Baril Creek, to rendezvous with the wagon at the first campsite.

Day 2
After breakfast the riders saddle up the horses and head up to Baril Creek before descending over a canyon in British Columbia and circling around Mount Boulton before returning to camp. This day entails a long journey in the saddle through very rugged and deep terrain. Riding hrs: Approx. 6.5

Day 3
Everyone helps with breaking camp and loading the wagons this morning, before saddling up and heading up over Fitzsimmons and Strawberry ridges. In the afternoon the trail drops down to the Highwood River, where the second camp has been set up.

Day 4
Today the group rides as far as they can up the mountain, tie-up the horses, and climb up to Carnarvon Lake on foot. For those who enjoy angling, this is an excellent fishing spot. One can also choose to hike over into British Columbia during the lunch break.

Day 5
Today, the riders venture into the high country overlooking Muir Creek, which they will cross before riding over the McPhail Creek. Lots of riding along high ridges and steep trails leading back to camp.

Day 6
Today the group heads for McPhail Creek and rides around the Hill of Flowers, through Bishop Pass to Lake of the Horns. Again, the horses are tied up, and riders can hike up to the lake for some incredible views from the top.

Day 7
The horses are tacked up and the wagons are packed by 10:30 am, ready to head to the trailhead. The wagons go on ahead while riders head down McPhail Creek and cross to the west side of the Highwood Mountain Range. Lunch is on top of Mt Baldy which offers excellent views of the entire Continental Divide range, the terrain that the group have spent the entire week riding. The journey ends at the Cat Creek trailhead where a van is waiting to take riders back to the ranch at around 4-5pm.

Riders can either spend an additional night in the area or transfer back to Calgary for onward travel.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The ranch has 75 horses available for trail riding and riders are guaranteed to find a suitable mount whether preferring a more lively ride or a quieter mount. The herd is made up of mainly quarter horses, appaloosas, paint and draft crosses. Many of them are homebred and all are used to the steep trails on this ride.

Expect between 4-6 hours in the saddle each day with a long break for lunch. The pace of each trail ride depends on the condition of the trail and the ability of the riders but generally there are areas where the group can trot and canter. This destination uses Western tack, this is very easy to get used to, even if riders have previously only ridden in English style.

Riders will follow rocky, winding trails high up into the mountains while the wagons carrying the camp supplies follow paths through the valleys. The wagons are pulled by draught horses; teams of Percherons and Belgian Warmbloods, that freight the wagon-loads of supplies from camp to camp.

Please note that we recommend bringing your own hard hat as they are not available on site.

This trail is for intermediate riders onwards. You should be comfortable and confident at all paces and able to control a responsive horse in open ground. You should be comfortable riding on steep terrain and happy to mount and dismount without assistance. Assistance is welcomed with care of the horses and setting up camp while on the trail, however it is not obligatory so if you would rather sit back and relax that is also fine.

Hats are recommended but not provided so please ensure to bring your own if you want to wear one.

The weight limit for this ride is 255 lb/116 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Riders are advised to arrive in Calgary the day before as the ride starts early in the morning. We can help book accommodation for the night before and/or after if required.

Camping on all 6 nights. Tents hold a maximum of two people per tent. The camp includes a main mess tent for cooking and eating that is equipped with wood burning stoves. All camping equipment (including a mattress) is provided, excluding a sleeping bag which can be rented by arrangement if riders don't want to bring their own. This is basic camping with a pit toilet. The cooks heat water every meal for handwashing and can heat extra if you want a basin bath although solar showers are also available. The entire camp and luggage is transported by wagon to the next camp.

Meals are varied, generous and homemade:

Breakfast could be sausages, pancakes, peaches & cream on one day and eggs benedict, hash browns & fresh fruit the next. For lunch expect sandwiches with lots of different fillings alongside a sweet and some fruit. The main meal of each day is dinner which is traditional Canadian country fare such as baked ham, potatoes, corn, kale salad, carrot cake or tacos with all the trimmings followed by a chocolate cake.

Each day, on return to camp, riders can refuel with some after-ride snacks while waiting for dinner to be served.

Drinks available with each meal are coffee, tea, water, iced tea and lemonade. If riders would like any alcoholic beverages or canned soft drinks they will need to bring their own. The hosts can arrange a store trip prior to the ride to stock up if required.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Dependent on your country, Passport and Visa requirements can change from regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. To visit Canada, you will need to meet some basic requirements, such as: • Have a valid travel document, such as a passport • Be in good health • Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions • Convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country. • Convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit, and have enough money for your stay. (The amount of money you will need can vary. It depends on things such as how long you will stay, and whether you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives). Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Alberta has a continental climate, with more sunshine than any other Canadian province. Winters are dry, sunny, and cold, though in the south the Chinook winds, which occur when warm, dry air of Pacific origin descends the eastern slopes of the Rockies, can raise temperatures by 40 °F (22 °C) in an hour or less.

Summers are warm and wetter (except in drought years), with occasional destructive hailstorms and tornadoes. Edmonton’s mean and extreme temperatures are 6 and −59 °F (−14 and −51 °C) in January and 60 and 95 °F (16 and 35 °C) in July.

Annual precipitation in Edmonton averages 18 inches (460 mm), compared with 12 inches (300 mm) in the dry southeast and more than 50 inches (1,270 mm) in the mountains. About half the precipitation falls from June to August.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

The cost of medical treatment can be very expensive in Canada. For emergency health care you can go to a hospital’s emergency room or to a large number of walk-in clinics where an appointment is not required beforehand.

Giardiasis is present so do not drink water from streams. Tap water is safe to drink.

Rabies is endemic in Canada, do not approach stray dogs.

Lyme disease can be a risk in wooded regions; it is a rare tick borne disease.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Canada and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

In Canada the supply voltage is 120V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 120V).

There is no electricity available once out on the trail so we recommend a solar charger if you need to charge a mobile. Please note that mobile phone signal is extremely patchy in the mountains anyway. Wifi and electricity is only available at the ranch near the ranch office.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, jeans, breeches or other comfortable trousers
- Chaps
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Warm jacket
- Short and long sleeved shirts
- Long underwear
- Sweater/sweatshirt
- Comfortable clothing/footwear for evenings in camp
- Rubber boots (optional)
- Warm hat/toque
- Hat with a brim
- Raincoat (no ponchos, please)
- Towel
- Fishing gear (optional)
- Warm sleeping bag & fleece liner
- Pillow (optional, a pillow case filled with a fleece works nicely)
- Duffle bag for your gear – 40 lbs or less please
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Flashlight
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- Bring your own beer, wine, liquor and soft drinks

It is possible to rent some equipment for an additional cost (payable on-site). Please let us know in advance if you wish to hire equipment:
Sleeping bags – C$30
Chaps – C$20
Slicker- C$15

7d / 6n programme with 7 riding days. Set dates between June and October.

2025: 23 Jun; 14 (Full) Jul; 7, 15 Sept.

• £
• €
• US $
• SEK

Icefields by Thomas Wharton.

This is a story of adventure and discovery that unfolds amidst the stunning beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Presented within the frame of a tourist guidebook, this novel records life in the mountains, as time and the coming of the railroad slowly transform the settlement of Jasper from a place of myth and legend to a modern tourist town. Exhaustively researched, this novel blends geology and poetry, fact and fiction, history and imagination.

Nearby there is golfing, mountain biking at Sandy McNabb Recreation Area, fishing, swimming, shopping and restaurants. The ranch is within a 1 – 2 hours drive from Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Remington-Alberta Carriage Museum, Glenbow Museum, Calgary Stampede, and many other attractions.

Blue grama and other grasses dominate the prairie area in the south, although cacti, tumbleweeds, and sagebrush are more conspicuous; few trees grow naturally outside river valleys. The transitional parklands have aspen-covered bluffs. The mixed and coniferous forests of the foothills and the north are home to various combinations of aspen, white spruce, jack and lodgepole pines, and balsam fir. Black spruce and tamarack grow over accumulations of organic peat in extensive bogs. Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir are important trees in the mountain forests. The wild rose, Alberta’s provincial flower, is widespread.

Meadowlarks and pronghorn are conspicuous on the prairies and badlands support rattlesnakes, horned lizards, and scorpions. White-tailed deer, beavers, and coyotes are familiar in parkland areas, while the great horned owl, the provincial bird, rears its young in vacated crows’ nests. The northern forests house a wealth of fur bearers and big game, including the moose, wapiti, caribou (reindeer), and black bear. Gray jays visit campsites, and loons are heard on the many lakes. Wapiti, mule deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and black and grizzly bears, together with Clark’s nutcrackers and golden eagles, are characteristic of the mountains. Rivers and lakes throughout the province support trout, whitefish, and pike. Ducks nest by every slough. Examples of most habitats and some threatened species receive partial protection in national and provincial parks, wilderness areas, and ecological reserves. The endangered peregrine falcon, however, flies among the high-rise buildings of Edmonton and Calgary.

People migrating from Asia crossing the Bering Strait first settled on the North American continent. They formed a number of tribes that can be distinguished by language: the Algonquian in the eastern sub-arctic and maritime areas spreading into the prairies and plains of the mid-west; the Iriquioian speaking tribes mostly in the St Lawrence Valley and around Lakes Ontario and Erie; the Salishan, Athabascan and other linguistic groups lived along the rivers and coastline of British Columbia. Small, isolated Inuit bands developed a unique culture in the harsh environment of the Arctic. John Cabot, a Venetian working in the service of the English sailed to Newfoundland in 1497. This and later explorations formed the basis of the English claim to Canada. The Frenchman Jacques Cartier undertook a series of explorations, mainly along the route of the St Lawrence River during the 1530s and 1540s and he claimed the land for France. It's the edginess between Canada's indigenous, French and British traditions that gives the nation its complex three-dimensional character. Add to this a constant infusion of US culture and a plethora of traditions brought by migrants, and you have a thriving multicultural society. Canada is between 3.5 and 8 hours behind GMT depending on where you are in the country. They use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code is +1.