Grizzly Mountain Pack Trip

Introduction
Yukon Canada
Just a short drive north of Whitehorse, explore the Grizzly Valley.

As you ride up from the valley, you will get a beautiful view over Lake Laberge, and if you are lucky you will be able to spot some local wildlife (moose, mountain sheep, bear...).
This short pack trip is the perfect escape from everyday life for those who wish to get a taste of the Yukon wilderness.

Accomodation

Accommodation
This is a progressive pack trip so nights will be spent in several camps in the mountains plus some nights at the home base depending on the itinerary.

Description
We will spend our nights camping in tents and under tarps, cooking over campfires.
As we are sleeping in the wilderness, there are no toilets or showers available during the ride. We usually wash ourselves with a sponge to freshen up.

Single travelers will have their own tent.


Meals
All your meals are included.
 
We usually carry along a box of wine with us for the duration of the trip.

Dietary Restrictions
Dietary concerns or differences will be acknowledged and accommodated if notified in advance.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Our pack trips are not like travelling on a clean park trail with wood chips. There are wild trails which involve; steep inclines, rocky terrain, hummocky 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. Sponge bathing and helping with chores are also part of the experience!

Itinerary


Sample 10 days 9 nights Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 Arrival
• Transfer from Whitehorse airport or hotel
• Get snacks in the city and see a bit of Whitehorse
• Arrive at base camp
• Relax in your cabin, organize your travel and trip gear
• Go over gear and packing list, test out sleeping gear to make sure it works
• Go over snacks; organized and put into your snack bag
• Lunch
• Get everyone equipped and adjusted to their saddle
• Go for a ride to get used to your horse and what they’re like, make sure your saddle is good for you
• Pack all final things you’ll need for the trip in your supplied duffel bag
• Dinner
• Relax and sleep in your Cabin accommodation for the night

Day 2 Lake Camp
• First day of tour
• Pack up, load up
• Ride up into the high country
• Have lunch whilst looking for wildlife (common sightings are sheep, moose and bear)
• Ride another 1.5 hours to camp
• Unpack, unsaddle, set up camp
• Supper
• Relax in your tent

Day 3 Grizzly Camp
• Saddle horses
• Have breakfast
• Hit the trail
• Lunch on the mountain and wildlife viewing
• Ride towards Grizzly Mountain
• Unpack, set up camp, watch for wildlife on the mountain sides
• Supper

Day 4 Grizzly Camp
• Breakfast
• Day in camp to view wildlife (Grizzly, moose, sheep
• Go for a horseback ride or short hike to do some exploring around Grizzly Mountain
• Tell stories around the fire; life as a trapper and big game guide
• Supper
• Relax in your tent

Day 5 Bear Camp
• Saddle horses
• Breakfast
• Pack up
• Hit the trail
• Lunch - viewing Pilot Mountain
• Ride to camp below Pilot Mountain
• Unpack, set up camp
• Supper

Day 6 Sheep Camp
• Saddle horses
• Breakfast
• Pack up
• Ride along Pilot Mountain and view Dall sheep, possible Grizzly and moose
• Lunch high up on a ridge viewing moose and Dall sheep
• Learn about aging, gender identifying and maturity of animals
• Ride to camp
• Unpack and set up camp
• Supper

Day 7 Sheep Camp
• Breakfast
• Day in camp viewing wildlife
• Hike up Pilot Mountain or enjoy a mid-day ride without pack horses
• Look at old ruins of camps that have been used many years before us
• Look for moose or sheep up close
• Learn how to moose call
• Ride back to camp
• Supper
• Relax in tent

Day 8 Caribou Camp
• Saddle horses
• Breakfast
• Pack up and hit the trail
• Ride through the pines and open meadows while viewing Pilot Mountain and Flat Mountain
• Lunch in a meadow, beside a creek that flows from Pilot Mountain
• Ride to camp along a Pine ridge
• Unpack and set up camp
• Supper
• Camp is in an excellent location of seeing Grizzly Bear, moose and sheep

Day 9 Base Camp
• Saddle Horses
• Breakfast
• Pack up and ride over beautiful mountain pass that takes you within view of Grizzly and Flat mountain, Yukon River and Lake Laberge
• Usually see wildlife even on the last day
• Have dinner back at Home Base
• Enjoy your night in your cabin, play games or play a game of pool on the pool table

Day 10 Departure Day
• Breakfast
• Say our goodbyes
• Back to Whitehorse airport or hotel

Note: all riding days have an average of 4-5 hours with amazing well-tempered horses with amazing
scenery and a chance of seeing Yukon wildlife.

Day 1 Arrival Day
• Clients are welcome to arrive at any time this day
• Once retrieved from airport or hotel in Whitehorse, we will do a bit of sightseeing in and around Whitehorse
• Pickup snacks and alcohol for clients at grocery stores for the trip
• Depending on what time of day and how clients are feeling we can get lunch in Whitehorse
• Drive to base camp, unpack and get settled in your cabin
• Lots of tea and coffee in the main cabin to get to know everyone
• Get to know the horses and which horse you’ll ride
• Begin to go over gear; what to bring, what not to, test out your sleeping gear and pack your snacks
• Dinner
• Visiting, then relaxing in your cabin and finally bedtime
• Overnight at the home base

Day 2
• Breakfast
• Introduction to each other
• Go over likes, dislikes, and preferences
• Introduction to horses and what horses clients ride
• Go over Emergency Response Plan
• Assign horse tack and saddles to clients
• Review client's equipment and pack for the trip
• Lunch
• 2 hour horseback ride
• Sauna
• Supper
• Overnight at the home base

Day 3 Lake Camp
• First day of tour
• Pack up, load up
• Ride up into the high country
• Have lunch whilst looking for wildlife (common sightings are sheep, moose and bear)
• Ride another 1.5 hours to camp
• Unpack, unsaddle, set up camp
• Supper
• Relax in your tent

Day 4 Grizzly Camp
• Saddle horses
• Have breakfast
• Hit the trail
• Lunch on the mountain and wildlife viewing
• Ride towards Grizzly Mountain
• Unpack, set up camp, watch for wildlife on the mountain sides
• Supper

Day 5 Grizzly Camp
• Breakfast
• Day in camp to view wildlife (Grizzly, moose, sheep)
• Go for a horseback ride or short hike to do some exploring around Grizzly Mountain
• Tell stories around the fire; life as a trapper and big game guide
• Supper
• Relax in your tent

Day 6 Bear Camp
• Saddle horses
• Breakfast
• Pack up
• Hit the trail
• Lunch - viewing Pilot Mountain
• Ride to camp below Pilot Mountain
• Unpack, set up camp
• Supper

Day 7 Sheep Camp
• Saddle horses
• Breakfast
• Pack up
• Ride along Pilot Mountain and view Dall sheep, possible Grizzly and moose
• Lunch high up on a ridge viewing moose and Dall sheep
• Learn about aging, gender identifying and maturity of animals
• Ride to camp
• Unpack and set up camp
• Supper

Day 8 Sheep Camp
• Breakfast
• Day in camp viewing wildlife
• Hike up Pilot Mountain or enjoy a mid-day ride without pack horses
• Look at old ruins of camps that have been used many years before us
• Look for moose or sheep up close
• Learn how to moose call
• Ride back to camp
• Supper
• Relax in tent

Day 9 Caribou Camp
• Saddle horses
• Breakfast
• Pack up and hit the trail
• Ride through the pines and open meadows while viewing Pilot Mountain and Flat Mountain
• Lunch in a meadow, beside a creek that flows from Pilot Mountain
• Ride to camp along a Pine ridge
• Unpack and set up camp
• Supper
• Camp is in a excellent location of seeing Grizzly Bear, moose and sheep

Day 10 Base Camp
• Saddle Horses
• Breakfast
• Pack up and ride over beautiful mountain pass that takes you within view of Grizzly and Flat mountain, Yukon River and Lake Laberge
• Usually see wildlife even on the last day

Day 11
• Breakfast
• Drive to Kusawa Lake
• Hike the trail above Kusawa (Optional)
• Lunch by the lake or on the mountain overlooking Kusawa Lake
• Drive back to base camp
• Supper

Day 12
• Breakfast
• Wildlife preserve
• Hotsprings
• An evening ride to finish the trip with your horse (Optional)
• Supper

Day 13
• Breakfast
• Say our goodbyes
• Back to Whitehorse airport or hotel

Note: all riding days have an average of 4-5 hours with amazing well-tempered horses with amazing scenery and Yukon wildlife.

Rates and Dates for Grizzly Mountain Pack Trip

Dates Note: * other dates possible -- please inquire

Other Info
Meeting: Whitehorse
Airport: Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport (YXY)
Transfer: Whitehorse

Climate:
                                            Whitehorse area

• 1 or 2 pairs of good quick dry pants (jeans not allowed)
• 2 quick dry shirts; 1 long, 1 short, 1 cotton shirt is allowed if necessary
• 4 pairs of merino wool or pure wool socks (8 pairs maximum)
• 1 pair of water proof hiking boots, (shoes not permitted) 
• 1 pair of camp shoes
• Rain jacket and rain pants, must be waterproof if it were submerged in water for 1 hour (thicker the better but still lightweight)
• 1-2 down coats, lighter and heavier
• Water resistant or fleece sweater/hoodie (no cotton)
• 2-4 pairs of underwear
• 1 pair of long johns/long underwear
• 1 pair of gloves (wool, leather or fully water proof)
• 1 buff/neck warmer
• 1 cap; ball cap or toque
• Half chaps or gaiters; leather does not keep you dry so we recommend fully waterproof polyester or neoprene gaiters
• Dry bags for clothes: waterproof or water resistant (all clothes and sleeping gear will be placed into water proof duffle bag during travel days on the trip)