 Ranch and Canoe
 9 days of Canoes and Ranches
For nine days, you follow the trails of the voyageurs and fur traders during a canoe journey on the Athabasca River and experience daily life on a working cattle ranch.
Click on pictures to enlarge.
Facts in short:
 Rivers were the highways into the northern wilderness for the voyageurs and fur traders 200 years ago. You follow their trails during a 5-day guided canoe tour on the Athabasca river. A completely outfitted excursion with lots of fun and thrills yet doable for beginners. You camp on islands, cook on the open fire, live close to nature. Ranchers and Settlers followed the pioneers into the west. On a peaceful guest ranch you experience the typical working day on a family run cattle operation. You can help the ranchers with their chores, relax and unwind, go swimming in the lake, ride your horse and drive your quad through the hills.
Demands: With the training on the first day the canoe tour is suitable for beginners. Using onternational rating (1 is easy, 5 is extreme) the entire stretch is rated Class I with several rapids class I and II and one rapid Class III.
Description:
Day 1: Edmonton, Alberta, Westkanada - Arrive in Edmonton, transfer to your hotel (Royal Executive Inn West).
 Day 2: Canoe Training - Breakfast in the hotel and a 3-hour drive into the Rocky Mountain foothills. After camp is set up you get ready for the canoe training on a quiet lake. You learn the basic paddle strokes, emergency procedures and signals. You receive advise regarding camping in the wilderness, personal equipment and work sharing of the crews. There is opportunity for last minute shopping before getting on the river. No experience is necessary for the canoe tour. The river is not dangerous, even for the beginner; but the current, numerous rapids, and gravel bars demand constant vigilance. Experienced canoeists find plenty of challenge in this wilderness setting. Safety and comfort are the primary concerns of the guide.
 Days 3 to 5: On the River - Luggage that is not needed for the canoe trip may stay safely with the bus. For the next three nights you pitch your tent on sandy islands or comfortable spots along the shore. Your paddling speed depends a lot on the water level. The glacier fed Athabasca River is full of power in the early season, clear and quiet in the fall when the snows in the mountains stop melting. The forested river valley is uninhabited. You have excellent chances to spot wild geese, beavers, eagles, elk, bear and moose. Five or six hours daily are spent on the river, at times leisurely drifting downstream, alert to the next rapid or obstacle. There is time for swimming, exploring, fishing and big campfires under the northern lights.
It is actually easy and satisfying to keep a clean camp. Minimum impact means that your group spends an afternoon and the night camping, cooking and playing on some island, not "improving" nature in any way, leaving no trace but footprints in the sand - which the next rain washes away.
 Day 6 Lakeview Guest Ranch: Near the town of Whitecourt, the first human settlement since your 160 km (100 mi) on the river, the tour comes to an end this afternoon. The bus is waiting for the one hour drive to your next adventure. Farewell canoe guide - Hello Ranch.
The spacious ranch house accommodates up to eight guests in comfortable new guestrooms with either separate or shared washrooms. The large living room features satellite TV, stereo, a wood burning stove, books, puzzles and board games and a view of the lakefront. The veranda is ideal for sunbathing, reading or just plain relaxing. Before dinner is served you have time to familiarize yourself with the layout of this working cattle ranch, your home and playground for the next few days.
 Days 7 and 8: Lakeview Guest Ranch - The rolling hills, bordered by picturesque Michaud Lake, forests and lush pasture are paradise for horses and riders. But you don't have to be a cowboy to fully enjoy western country life. The modern family farm features a unique combination of activities and peaceful tranquility. You have the option to join guided ATV tours (4-wheeled motorcycles also called quads) and western style trail rides. Among other activities are mountain biking, bird watching, barbecues as well as fishing, swimming and boating on the lake. Of course help on a ranch is always appreciated, from moving animals to different pastures, checking on the calves or grooming the horses. Ask your hosts to take you 20 km to Sangudo, the nearest settlement, with its Pioneer Museum, 1960 soda shop and store for western wear. Local rodeos on some weekends are an extra bonus. You are never at a loss for something to do - unless you simply wish to relax and soak up the glorious sunsets.
Day 9: After a hearty ranch breakfast transfer to the Edmonton airport.
For more information or to make a booking, email us at:
info@lakeviewguestranch.com
For schedule dates, please visit Timberwolf Tours:
Website: www.timberwolftours.com
E-mail: mike@timberwolftours.com
|
