Since 1974 we have been wintering our horses at the Diamond four ranch at Chezacut in the Chilcotin country west of Williams Lake. This ranch is owned and operated by Roy and Gwen Mulvahill, long time residents, well known for their honesty and knowledge of horses and the epitome of the true ëcowboysí.

For a good number of years we have been riding our horses home cross country from Mulvahills' following trails and back roads. Although very different from our high country pack trips in scenery it is rich in natural history of the Chilcotin ranch country and a chance to compare two very different terrains and lifestyles as you gradually come closer and closer to the Cariboo mountains of our home range. The horses are in excellent shape after winter on the rich Chilcotin meadow grass and are eager to head home. The Mulvahillís have to keep gates closed and locked at this time of year as the horses will start heading home as the grass gets greener and summer is in the air.

All of our camps are either on crown land or on private property. Our annual ride has become somewhat of a celebration with the property owners and many have opened their homes and hearts to us allowing us to camp on their land and joining us for meals and company.

Instead of using packhorses on this trip, we use horse drawn wagons for hauling all the equipment and food. Some horses owners may wish to bring their own horses to ride on this trip. This can be arranged.

The terrain is easy, but some of the days in the saddle can be long. Riders who want a break from the saddle can ride on the wagon for a while and even catch a nap as we roll along. We are accompanied by Steve Hjorth and his 2 teams of Clydesdales and wagons. Steve raises his ëClydesí on his remote ranch north of Nazko. His many years of experience guiding and working with teams of horses mixed with his quick and dry sense of humor makes him a colorful Cariboo character and a top hand on the trail.

The day before the ride starts, the riders are met in Williams Lake and transported to Mulvahill's ranch. The drive takes approximately 2 and 1/2 hours. After supper and an evening campfire session we settle in to our tents to get rested up for the next day.

Day 2
After breaking camp we're on the trail again. we follow this trail for several miles, then come out on a seldom used logging road. We follow this out then turn off onto a bush trail cut through the jack pines and stop at Brown Creek to set up camp. There's no fences here and we have to watch the horses carefully that they don't wander too far. There are wild horses in this area and a wild stallion could cause problems, trying to add more mares to his herd.

Day 6
This morning we take our whole outfit right through town. Quesnel is a small city of approximately 24,000 people. There is only one way to get across the Fraser river and that is over the bridge that runs right through town. There will be other local riders join us for the "Fun of it". It's quite a spectacle but the RCMP is very co-operative and gives us a police escort trough town. When we get on the outskirts of town we turn onto the Barkerville highway.

We follow it aprox 20 miles. We stop and make camp at "Cottonwood Gardens" Bed and Breakfast. This house and property was formerly owned by my mother and father, and it is now owned by Marianna Keller. Marianna is another great hostess and makes us feel welcome and comfortable. We'll set up our camp in her yard and put the horses in her spacious pasture. This is next door to "Cottonwood House Historic Park". This was once a stage coach stop on the way to Barkerville Goldfields.

Day 8
Today we make a long gradual climb up a Big Valley Creek, then Sugar Creek, then follow a small winding road down Hardscrabble Creek and come out in the town of Wells. After arriving in Wells we ride through the middle of town. it's more relaxed here than Quesnel, and there is no need for a police escort. Wells is a small but well known scenic little town. It started up in the 1930s and was a booming gold mine town in its day.

Today summer Tourism and small placer gold mines are the mainstay of Wells. It is famous for its long winters. People don't come here for the big money anymore and the people who live here are here because they want to be. Wells is 5 miles  from Barkerville, one of B.C.'s biggest tourist attractions. The town has been restored and is an historical park. After passing through Wells we turn off on another narrow side road. We pass by One Mile Lake, and go through "Downey Pass" and come out at Eight Mile Lake and setup our camp.

Date: June - 2006 Season Dates to Be Announced

Price: $1895 CND plus GST- Deposit $568.00

Riders with their own Horses $ 750.00 CND plus GST - Deposit $225.00