Chilcotin Holidays conducts four seasons of customized wilderness adventures. They have exclusive guide-outfitting rights to one of the largest territories in British Columbia, covering over 5,000 square km in the exceptional south Chilcotin Mountains of southwestern British Columbia. The ranch is spacious complete with a two storey fireplace, sun room, large central dining room and in the bedrooms, queen beds with feather duvets. The permanent alpine base camps are roomy, complete with log cabins and tent cabins with heaters - they even have gravity fed hot showers.
While the ranch is easily reached by vehicle, access to the pristine guide territory is by foot, horse or float plane only. It's remoteness helps preserve the outstanding quality of the wilderness. Unlike the granite ranges to the south - the Chilcotin Mountains have rounded tops and broad U-shaped valleys. The glaciated shale terrain makes summitting challenging and obtainable no matter what your method of travel. The territory lies within a transition zone between the Coast Mountains and the Chilcotin Plateau. This favoured position produces a "Rainshadow" - this means sunny skies and a dry bug-free environment. The area is well known for its biodiversity with vegetation ranging from Douglas fir to alpine tundra. Massive ancient firs give way to the trembling aspen and meadows brocaded with an abundance of wildflowers that bloom May through to September at their preferred elevations. The guide area encompasses an outstanding variety of wildlife. California big horn sheep, moose, mule, deer, mountain goat, Grizzly, Black bear and wolf are plentiful and frequently sighted.
"Chilcotin" is an Indian name meaning "People of the Blue Water". The water here is pure, clean and cold as it seeps out of the sandy shale mountain slopes. You can drink straight from any stream in the territory. For hundreds of years, Indian Tribes travelled this country on their trading routes between the Interior and the coast. You will be travelling some of their trails. As recently as the 1930's two large goldmines were established at the nearby towns of Gold Bridge and Bralorne. This was one of the richest gold-producing areas of British Columbia. In prehistoric times part of the territory was under sea level and you may visit this area covered in fossils.
Your hosts Kevin Bracewell comes from a Cariboo-Chilcotin pioneer ranching family and is a third generation guide and outfitter. Sylvia Waterer has a graduate degree in eco tourism and resource management. Since 1990 they have combined their love and enthusiasm for the Chilcotin Mountains in order to share their skills and knowledge with others. They listen carefully to their guests and have designed adventures so that you can progress through levels according to your interests and abilities. Novice horse riders can begin with a ranch stay and progress to wilderness pack trips. The strips are specialised and customised to the group.
If you are looking for a ranch stay, or wilderness trip or perhaps something in between then this is the place for you.
The trips are all inclusive packages, accommodation, meals, lessons, horses, tack and related equipment and guides. Guests are responsible for their personal gear only. You will find it hard to believe that you are in the wilderness when you are dining on the legendary western fare, feeding your new found appetite on unlimited fresh fruit and vegetables , lots of home made baking and delicious hearty home made main courses., Your catch can be cooked for you and vegetarians can be catered for.
The guide to guest ratio is 7 to 2 and forms the basis for the personal and customised service. Whether it is fitting western tack onto your Cayuse horse, wilderness trail education, learning wildlife habitats or the perfect fly fishing technique, every visitor is sure to find their life enriched by the experience and new skills they take home with them.
The horses are sure footed mountain Cayuse horses from the Cariboo-Chilcotin - where wild herds still roam. The Cayuse is not a thoroughbred, but a unique mixture of breeds specially developed over many generations. They have stamina and toughness, lots of energy, intelligence and a good disposition. They are patient and gentle with small children yet spirited enough for experienced riders. | 