Timberline Tours Horseback Riding Vacation, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Cory and Nancy Brown on a horseback riding vacation to the Little Beehive in Banff Nation Park, Lake Louise — Cory and Nancy Brown on a horseback riding vacation to the Little Beehive in Banff National Park, Lake Louise

Horseback Riding Vacation, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Rain clouds hang overhead, poised to follow along on our horseback riding vacation in Lake Louise, Canada. A pack of tail-wagging Jack Russell Terriers greet us, along with a curious, yet shy, part wolf/part dog mixed breed, as we pull into Timberline Tours ranch. My husband and I are celebrating our 24 year wedding anniversary and he agreed to accompany me on a Canadian Rockies horseback riding vacation. This is no small feat; as my husband prefers motorcycles and hunting over horses and scenic trail riding.

Horseback Riding Vacation Through the Larches

Our first visit to the Canadian Rockies coincides with the Lake Louise Fall Festival and a horseback riding vacation through the golden larch trees. Surrounded by the turquoise-blue waters of Lake Louise, and evergreen valley of trees, as far as the eye can see, a horseback riding vacation in Banff National Park is an experience not to be missed.

Owners Paul and Sue Peyto of Timberline Tours prefer arranging family-friendly, small size horseback riding vacations and specialize in ‘design your ride’ horseback trail rides.

My husband and I take the three and a half hour “Into the Larches” trail that includes a ride to the Little Beehive, a natural rock formation, and a short stop at the Lake Agnes Tea House. Priced at $119 Canadian, this horseback riding vacation provides an intimate trail ride, climbing 7,000 feet elevation, with a stop at a former fire lookout. Riders will see why the Little Beehive once served as a fire lookout station, as the view of the outstretched valley goes on for miles. Not only is this a great photo opportunity on horseback, the September trail ride offers us light rain, snow and sunshine, all in one spectacular afternoon horseback riding vacation.

Oreo and Molson Take Us on a Horseback Riding Vacation to Lake Agnes Teahouse, above Lake Louise in Banff National Park

Take a horseback riding vacation to a Canadian Tea House

As our guide, Ron Arnett, mentions in the video, he has been leading equestrians and riders with no prior horseback riding experience through miles of trails in the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park. To my eye, Arnett serves as an ambassador for the equitrekking rider, as we share the trail with hikers. Most of the hikers stop to take our picture or smile and wave as we pass by on horseback. I admire the spirit of the mountain climbers, but silently give thanks that I am assending this scenic trail on horseback!

A time or two during our ride, Arnett dismounts to retrieve the stray granola bar wrapper or piece of garbage that humans have left behind. Like the boy scout motto of “leave no trace.” Arnett prefers pointing out where a bear has scratched claw marks in a tree or how squirrels leave picked mushrooms to air-dry in sun-dabbled tree branches. His promise holds true – I will have memories of this horseback riding vacation etched in my mind forever.