Muskwa Kechika Adventures

Mayfield Horse Camp, Aug. 13-20, 2023

Mayfield Lake (in the Dune Ze Keyih Provincial Park) offers the perfect escape and the ideal place to experience the Muskwa-Kechika. Located in the heart of BC’s Northern Rockies and nestled in the Gataga River Valley, Mayfield Lake is rich in wildlife and wild scenery. Moose and caribou can be viewed from the breakfast table and trips into the alpine provide panoramic vistas untouched by humans. With the comforts of camp life, Mayfield is a hidden gem far from the demands of modern life. The Mayfield Horse Camps are planned to include day rides to the alpine and the Gataga River Valley. Should weather allow, there may also be an opportunity for an overnight pack trip. Featuring a sauna, floating dock, outdoor timber-framed roofed kitchen, tipi, wall tents and tiny treehouse cabin, the camp also includes canoeing, nature walks, hiking, and relaxation next to the pristine lake. In an eight-day trip, two of which are flight days (scenic flights in a float plane over the majesty of the MK), a guest can expect to spend roughly half of their trip riding with the rest spent engaging in the many activities that the Mayfield camp offers. 

Day One: Floatplane flight to Mayfield, guest orientation, settling in

Day Two: Horses are brought in, introductory ride to the Gataga River

Day Three: Pack trip to Shoulder Mountain (this is approximately a 6-hour ride and includes walking up (and down on return ride) steep sections

Day Four: Camp Day at Shoulder Mountain exploring the surrounding alpine and ridgetops

Day Five: Pack trip to Paradise OR Sodel Valleys from Shoulder Mountain

Day Six: Pack trip back to Mayfield Basecamp

Day Seven: Camp Day at Mayfield – canoeing, hiking, exploring the boreal forest surroundings

Day Eight: Float plane flight back to Muncho Lake

TO JOIN IN ON THIS ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME EMAIL NORTHERNROCKIESFITNESS@GMAIL.COM FOR INQUIRIES AND REGISTRATION.

PRICE: $4750.00 Payment plans can be arranged. $500 non-refundable deposit. Minimum of 6 people.

Day One:

Floatplane flight to Mayfield, guest orientation, settling in.

You’ll be treated to a dinner and breakfast for your arrival of the Aug. 12, 2023. Enjoy a flight into Mayfield Lake from Muncho Lake in the morning. A trip over the Northern Rockies to the Gataga River Valley is an adventure in itself. You’ll get to see mountain ranges that go on for what seems like forever.

Day Two:

Horses are brought in, introductory ride to the Gataga River.

You’ll get to watch horses almost daily get packed, and unpacked for the trail ahead. We’ll be doing a day trail ride around the Gataga River to start off the trip returning to the Mayfield Lake that evening for a meal cooked on the fire.

Day Three:

Pack trip to Shoulder Mountain (this is approximately a 6-hour ride and includes walking up (and down on return ride) steep sections.

These ponies are raised in these mountains, there is no better way to trust the ground than watching a horse take the steps for you. Horseback riding is a very rewarding and accessible activity for all of us, which gives us the possibility to disconnect from the world, ride on trails and discover landscapes during our riding holidays.

Day Four:

Camp Day at Shoulder Mountain exploring the surrounding alpine and ridgetops. There is plenty of day hiking to be explored once we reach the alpine. We’ll begin the day by hiking to an alpine peak to enjoy the valley. Some of the best places we can go is on foot.

Day Five:

Pack trip to Paradise OR Sodel Valleys from Shoulder Mountain. When we say you get time in the saddle we mean it by we get to see views only a few in the world will see and we get to cover ground faster than most. Saddle up and relive the outfitter way of life on a spectacular horseback tour. Travel through the high country, across vibrant alpine pastures and over mountain passes to see the Muskwa Kechika from a different perspective.

Day Six:

Pack trip back to Mayfield Basecamp. We’ll be making our way down back to basecamp. Let the horses take you back one step at a time while you soak in the views. Horseback riding in Canada is a great way to escape the chaos of city life and reconnect with nature. Traversing the backcountry by horse will introduce you to the best of the Canadian landscape. Your trusty horse will take you on trails back through valleys, along rivers, through meadows blanketed with wild flowers, and over alpine ridges – allowing you to explore the landscape for which Canada is famous.

Day Seven:

Camp Day at Mayfield – canoeing, hiking, exploring the boreal forest surroundings. This is a day to just sit back and enjoy the trip. We have plenty of activities around the Lake for you to enjoy. Whether it be fishing, exploring, or just reading a book by the lake. This is the day to soak in the trip.

Day Eight:

Floatplane flight back to Muncho Lake. Your pilot Urs is one of the best in the North. Watching the plane land on the lake is an experience in itself but a bitter-sweet moment knowing the trip is over when you realize you don’t want to go home and could stay forever. You really forget what the world is like because you’re stuck in this moment that could last forever.

Our goal for our Mayfield Camps is to make a visit to the amazing wilderness of the Muskwa-Kechika as easy as possible, and at the same time a whole lot of fun. Perhaps you wish to spend solo time far from our industrial world, or simply to photograph or sketch the landscapes and animals of the wilderness. Maybe you prefer to experience the wilderness from the back of a horse, or to explore an animal trail on foot, deep in the boreal forest. How about listening to the call of a loon or the plop of a jumping fish as the pre-dawn shadows begin to lift?  All of these experiences are possible at Mayfield Lake, not to mention the wonderful meals and spontaneous campfire chats that challenge and invigorate.

Included: 

1-Night Stay at Muncho Lake Lodge with dinner & breakfast included Aug. 12, 2023.

Float plane IN from Muncho Lake to Mayfield Lake, BC.

Float plane OUT of Mayfield Lake to Muncho Lake, BC.

Guided day hiking trips with two experienced guides.

Camp & horse staff.

Cook and food (excluding drinks – alcohol and snacks) will be all inclusive. Please advise trip organizer of your dietary restrictions.

Canoe and sauna use.

Horse trail ride to locations.

1 group zoom meeting to discuss gear packing and any questions you may have. Zoom meeting details will be emailed out closer to the date.

NOT INCLUDED: 

Hikers will need to bring their own tents, day hiking bag, sleeping bags, foamies, and personal gear. All gear will be carried by the horses except dy bag. 

Transportation to Muncho Lake, BC. 

MUSKWA KECHIKA ADVENTURES

Wayne comes from a logging family, has a trap line on the Gataga River, and has spent his life on the land. For nearly four decades Wayne has led horse back expeditions into BC’s Northern Rockies as a way to build awareness and support for this amazing wilderness. In the 1990s Wayne, along with many others, was instrumental in helping establish the 6.4 million hectare Muskwa-Kechika Management Area that now encompasses the northern Rockies, and he continues to advocate for the area’s protection today.
The Muskwa-Kechika Management Area (M-KMA) encompasses a vast wilderness in BC’s northern Rocky Mountains. Rich with wildlife, it is a vestige of the continental wilderness that once existed. The overriding purpose of MK Adventures is to strengthen the protection of the Muskwa-Kechika. As part of that initiative, we have been guiding expeditions into the remotest regions of the MK for decades, and at the same time providing participants with what is often the experience of their lives, a rewarding challenge for both the mind and body.

TRAVEL

Travel costs to reach Muncho Lake or the trailhead are the responsibility of the
participant. Here are a few options:

1. Air service to Fort Nelson is provided by Central Mountain Air. The most
economical airfare includes flights from Vancouver to Prince George with a major
carrier like Air Canada or Westjet, and then a flight from Prince George to Fort
Nelson with Central Mountain Air.

2. Folks can also fly to Fort St. John and obtain ground transportation with Peak Wyld Co from there. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this option.