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TigerPaw Adventures
Canada
From 49th to Paradise
Horses: Quarter horses, standard breeds, and riding mules
Riding Ability: Basic/Experienced
Riding Per Day: 4 to 9 hours
Pace: Walk
Tack: Western saddles
Itinerary and Dates: Available upon request.
Starting out from the Whitworth Ranch on the US/Canada border, this trip explores the historic Dewdney trail circling the Manning and Cascade Provincial Parks of British Columbia.
Close to 138 years ago, the representatives of the British Empire in Canada decided to find a way out from paying gold tax for consignments of the precious metal. Making their way on horse and mule back from the Kootenay Gold Rush to the West Coast, the march had to route itself via the United States, on account of the impassable mountains of British Columbia. It was tasked to Edward Dewdney of the Royal Engineers on the instructions of Governor Douglas to break a route that did a more direct traverse from west to east.
The three-year magnum opus of Edward Dewdney resulted in this famous and awe-inspiring trail, the Northwest Paradise section cresting the Cascade Mountains Divide.
Once called the "Mule Road to the Similkameen", the trail forces 615m elevation gains at some stages. The 1384m Paradise Valley affords grand southerly views of Snass Mountain. Other interesting features of the trail include Dick's mountain and the Skagit River. Looking to the high mountain slopes, you might also see a Grizzly Bear or Mountain Goat.
Commencing from 650m/2000ft above sea level and progressing to 1,666m/5,000 ft, the trail touches 2,000m/6,000ft towards its latter stages. Traversing through a variety of temperate zones, the rider will experience West Coast moderate vegetation including Rhododendron and Devils Club, West Coast Rainforest, followed by Alpine vegetation including Pine, Fir and Spruce.
The trail, which up until mid-June can hold knee high snow and avalanche prone sections in the higher elevations, does become ride worthy by early July up until October. The lower elevations at the beginning afford short rides out of the Whitworth Base Camp up until December and as early as mid-April. Inexperienced riders are offered a variation of the circuit making this an experience available to all.
Meals are West Coast fare including everything from trout and salmon to steak. Campfire evenings, propane heated shower tents, spacious sleeping tents with queen sized inflatable mattresses and turf carpeting in the interiors, along with comfortable toilets describe the conveniences at Base Camp in Paradise Valley. Trail camps are lightweight dome tents and foamies.
For more information about our Canadian adventure, please fill out the Information Request Form or Contact Us directly.
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