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 In 2000, Saddle Peak Trail Rides celebrated its 22th year of outfitting along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Dave Richards, guide and outfitter, was born
into the horse and tourist business. His father, Audley Richards , was an old time horseman, guide and packer, running as many as 400 head of horses with his brothers Jim , Edgar , and Bill . Audley
homesteaded a small foothills ranch in 1934, located northwest of Cochrane, close to the Ghost River, and east of Devil's Gap, along the eastern slopes of Banff National Park.
In the 1940's Audley was packing and guiding for Ruth and Claude Brewster out of Banff, who had the C.P.R. (Canadian Pacific Railway) contract for outfitting the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. This is
where he met his future wife Esther. Esther trail cooked for 28 years accommodating up to 100 guests on a wood stove. The guests included the Trail Riders, Skyline Hikers, and the
Sierra Club. Ruth and Claude also provided the opportunity for Esther to go into show business by cooking for River of No Return, starring Marilyn
Monroe and Robert Mitchum, and shot on location in Banff, Jasper, and Seebe. With parents like Audley and Esther, it was inevitable that Dave would become involved in the outfitting business.
In 1978, Dave started Saddle Peak Trail Rides, located on his father's homestead. Today it's the headquarters of the Saddle Peak operation, which offers pack trips and trail rides, company and convention
Bar-B-Ques, and rustic cabin rentals for folks who wish to get away from it all. The premier trips are the 3 and 4 day pack trips to Devil's Head Mountain,
which are patronized by an international clientele. Also offered, is a 5 day combination trip; 3 days of riding, and 2 days of rafting, which is very popular.
Saddle Peak remains a small, truly western operation, only running 25 head of horses and offering no city frills, such as bars or restaurants. This is so
our guests can enjoy the solitude of western life without the modern day distractions. Dave likes it that way, and knows you will too.
"We're located at the end of the road, where solitude from the everyday world has not become something of the past"
Brands
of the Richard Family
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