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Caribou Mountains

Overview

Join free spirit Deb and her son Emerson on a true wilderness adventure into the Caribou Mountains of Northern Alberta. These expedition-style pack trips will take you into one of the last frontiers of North America, a land of unspoiled mountains, clear rivers and truly wild animals. These are trip…

Highlights

  • Join a true horseback expedition into the last frontier
  • Experience the spectacular Yukon wilderness
  • Look out for moose, wild sheep, bears and wolves
  • Camp out in remote and wild locations
  • Learn the Yukon way of doing things

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 8 riders per group
  • Average of 3 - 4 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 225 lbs/16 stone

Description

Join free spirit Deb and her son Emerson on a true wilderness adventure into the Caribou Mountains of Northern Alberta. These expedition-style pack trips will take you into one of the last frontiers of North America, a land of unspoiled mountains, clear rivers and truly wild animals. These are trips for those who feel ready to embrace the wild and all it entails - you must be physically fit, ready to get stuck in and comfortable with horses, for it's those four-legged companions who will be carrying you and all your gear on the adventure of a lifetime!

Deb has been living in these territories since age 17 when she couldn't take the confinement of civilisation anymore. She has sometimes lived months at a time out in the wilderness without even a radio and has extensive experience guiding in the area by air, horseback and foot. In time she started to take her son Emerson out by horse (for up to a month at a time!) and eventually the idea for these pack trips was born... and now you can be one of just a few adventurers to join them! In Deb's own words: "Our trips are raw and beautiful, wild and breathtaking, hard yet simple, full of adventure and peace."

Horses & Riding

Tack

Western tack with comfortable western saddles. Saddle bags and horn bags are provided.

Horses

Deb has a team of ten horses. They are of various breeds including a Arab/Percheron cross and Tiny, the newest addition to the herd, who is 17 hands! They are well loved and sensible, good tempered and experienced on the trail.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Grizzly Ride is a trail ride

Ages

No age limit but those 70-75 (must be very fit and a capable rider)

Health

You will need to be fit and healthy for long hours in the saddle and able to cope with the terrain in the wilderness. There are wild trails which involve; steep inclines, rocky terrain, river crossings, willow patches and rain, even snow. A person must be physically fit and want to have and enjoy a wilderness experience and be comfortable around horses.

Weight

225 lbs/16 stone

Food & Accommodation

Food

Most of the meals are pre-made at home and packed in airtight containers for the trip. Soups with biscuits, pasta, chicken and beef are often on the menu. Breakfasts usually consist of sausage or bacon, egg mixture with beans, chicken or beef with a soft tortilla. Food is healthy and they bring the right amount of food for the trip. With prior notice, dietary requirements can be catered for.

Accommodation

First night is in an authentic Yukon cabin on the home ranch and the following nights are spent out on the trail in small tents. You can have your own tent or share with a friend.

These are true camping expeditions and riders should come ready to sleep in the wilderness and embrace it! Limited facilities but fresh air and freedom.

Itineraries

Grizzly Ride Basic / Tented accommodation.

Other Activities

This is an expedition-style ride without much chance for additional activities but you can definitely spot some wildlife whilst on the go!

Travel

The home ranch is located 20 minutes from Whitehorse in Canada's Yukon territory and your hosts will collect you from Whitehorse to start the ride. There are daily flights into Whitehorse with Air Canada and Air North.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

You will arrive at Whitehorse airport and your transfer is included. We suggest you arrive in time to settle into your cabin and get to know the rest of the other guests over supper. It is possible to stay in Whitehorse on the previous day which avoids you missing any riding if your flight gets delayed. Transfers can be arranged f rom your hotel.

Day 2

Riding: 2 - 2 hours

Wake up in Klondike or Northern Lights Cabin. Enjoy breakfast and get to know the other guests. You will be told about the Emergency Response Plan. This morning you will be introduced to your horse. and you will be assigned the saddle and bridle for your mount which be checked over ready for packing for the trip. After lunch you will enjoy a two hour ride to get to know your horse. It is possible to make any changes before heading out onto the trail tomorrow. On your return you may enjoy a sauna and supper.

Day 3 - Lake Camp

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

You will have a good night's sleep in the cabin and enjoy a good breakfast. Today is the first day of the trail. After packing and loading up your horse on to a trailer there is a short journey to the start of the trip. From there you will ride into the high country. There will be plenty of wildlife to see including sheep, moose and bear before lunch.

You will ride another 1.5 hours before you stop for the night. You will unpack, unsaddle your horse and set up camp. After supper around the camp fire, you will relax in your tent and enjoy a good night sleep.

Day 4 - Grizzly Camp

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After breakfast and saddling up the horses, you will hit the trail once again. You will have lunch on the mountain and hopefully see plenty of wildlife. You will ride towards the Grizzly Mountains. Then once again unpacking, setting up camp before supper. Hopefully you will have seen grizzly bear, moose and thin horn sheep.

Day 5 - Grizzly Camp

Riding: 2 - 2 hours

Today you do not move camps so it is a chance to view the wildlife, the grizzly bears, moose and sheep. If you wish you can take a horseback ride or a short hike exploring the Grizzly Mountain. Time to tell stories around the fire - life as a trapper and big game guide. Enjoy supper and relax in your tent.

Day 6 - Bear Camp

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After breakfast you will pack up camp, saddle the horses and hit the trail. Lunch is by Pilot Mountain and you will camp this evening below the mountain. This camp is set amongst small lakes and willow trees. There is plenty of grazing for the horses and there is wildlife to see.

Day 7 - Sheep Camp

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After breakfast you will saddle the horse and pack up. You will ride along Pilot mountain and get a good view of Dall sheep, possibly grizzly bears and moose. Lunch will be high up on the ridge where you can view the wildlife. You will be taught about aging, gender identifying and maturity of animals. Ride onto camp, unpack and set up the camp before supper.

Day 8 - Sheep Camp

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

After breakfast you can relax with a day in camp as we do not move on today so its a chance to explore and look at the wildlife. You can hike up the mountains or maybe take a midday ride without a pack horse. You can find old ruins of camps that have been used many years ago. Find moose and sheep and learn how to moose call. Ride back to camp and enjoy supper. Relax in camp. This is a place that moose like to gather.

Day 9 - Moose Camp

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Saddle horses and after breakfast you will pack up and hit the trail once again. You will ride through the pines and open meadows whilst keeping Pilot Mountain and Flat Mountain in site. Lunch will be enjoyed in a meadow beside a creek that flows from Pilot Mountain. You will ride onto camp along a pine ridge. You will unpack and set up camp. Enjoy supper around the camp fire. This camp is situated in an excellent position to see grizzly bears, moose and sheep.

Day 10 - Caribou Camp

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Saddle horses and breakfast. After packing up you will continue your ride over a beautiful mountain pass that takes you within view of Grizzly and Flat Mountain, Yukon River, and Lake Laberge. Usually you will see wildlife even on the last day of the trail and you will arrive back at the trail head where the ride started. The horses will be loaded and taken back to the base camp.

Day 11

Riding: No riding.

Today you might like relax back at the cabins and take a shower! You might enjoy a trip to Whitehorse and visit the museum. After lunch you could take a walk along the Yukon River and Miles Canyon. You will return to the cabins for supper

Day 12

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

Today you might wish to visit the Wildlife Preserve or drive to Kusawa Lake. You may also enjoy the hot springs. It may be possible for a short evening ride before returning to the cabins. The Wildlife Preserve is home to many of the Yukons iconic species including mountain goat, musk ox, bison elk and even lynx.

Day 13

Riding: No riding.

Today is a sad farewell and transfer back to the airport.

Accommodation

The accommodation is in cabins and tents on the trail. The cabins at the start and end of the trail have basic facilities. There are two guest cabins set amongst the pine trees. The Northern Lights cabin is larger and has its own bathroom and wood stove. The smaller Klondkike cabin has a wood stove and an outside toilet.

The tents on the trail involve camping in remote mountain locations and there are no toilet or washing facilities. The weather can be very changeable. The tents are provided but you will need a good quality sleeping bag and your own thermarest.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Intermediate but physically fit
Minimum group size 1
Maximum group size 8
Departure windows

June 1, 2025 - June 13, 2025

July 13, 2025 - July 25, 2025

Aug. 24, 2025 - Sept. 5, 2025

Sept. 7, 2025 - Sept. 19, 2025

Pricing

2025
Rider		 £2955 $3945 €3515
Included Twelve nights accommodation, full board, riding, pack horse, some camping equipment, airport transfer from Whitehorse airport.
Not included Sleeping bags and mats, tips.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.