3-Day Historic Li-lik-hel Mine Expedition
Overview
This tour was recently awarded a “Canadian Signature Experience” by The Canadian Tourist Association as one of the best tours offered in the region.
Search for gold on the historic Li-lik-hel Mine Expedition. Ride on trails that were originally cut by the miners and have been pounded in by years of horses transporting the gold ore to the rail-head in the early 1900’s. Spend three days and two nights in BC’s spectacular Coast Mountain Range. During this time, you’ll explore the beautiful mountain range between Birkenhead Lake and the Li-lik-hel mine. Rivers, lakes, forests, alpine meadows, old mine packhorse trails and single track await your expedition. Sure-footed gentle mountain horses will carry you to each campground where our guides set up camp and cook a dinner around the campfire. Over the three days you will get to know the horse that we have picked to match your abilities and learn to appreciate their nature.
Search for gold on the historic Li-lik-hel Mine Expedition. Ride on trails that were originally cut by the miners and have been pounded in by years of horses transporting the gold ore to the rail-head in the early 1900’s. Spend three days and two nights in BC’s spectacular Coast Mountain Range. During this time, you’ll explore the beautiful mountain range between Birkenhead Lake and the Li-lik-hel mine. Rivers, lakes, forests, alpine meadows, old mine packhorse trails and single track await your expedition. Sure-footed gentle mountain horses will carry you to each campground where our guides set up camp and cook a dinner around the campfire. Over the three days you will get to know the horse that we have picked to match your abilities and learn to appreciate their nature.
Inclusions
- 2 nights accommodation
- Meals as per itinerary
- Professional guide
- Use of helmet
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- 2x Breakfast
- 2x Dinner
- 3x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 2 nights
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: 9:30 Meet at the Birkenhead FSR trailhead
Stop At: Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, Blackwater Lake Road, Birken, British Columbia Canada
This is the closest location Viator will allow, but we meet at 9:30 on the Birkenhead FSR, which is not the same location as the Park.
You will meet your horses and guide, Put your camp goods in the trailer, and ride about 20 Kilometers to our base camp. A saddle bag lunch is supplied and a full supper in the evening.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Camps consists of platform tents with cots, mats and sleep bags (on request), open dining room, Hot and cold water
Day 2: Up bright and early and ride to and explore the Li-lik-Hel mine
Stop At: Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, Blackwater Lake Road, Birken, British Columbia Canada
Ride to thinly-lik-hell mine, which is not located at Birkenhead lake, only location Viator will allow
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Same accommodation as the first night
Day 3: Slower start, saddle your horses and get a day riding in before you return to the trailhead
Stop At: Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia
You will see the lake from the other end form the Park at our private lunch area
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: 9:30 Meet at the Birkenhead FSR trailhead
Stop At: Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, Blackwater Lake Road, Birken, British Columbia Canada
This is the closest location Viator will allow, but we meet at 9:30 on the Birkenhead FSR, which is not the same location as the Park.
You will meet your horses and guide, Put your camp goods in the trailer, and ride about 20 Kilometers to our base camp. A saddle bag lunch is supplied and a full supper in the evening.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Camps consists of platform tents with cots, mats and sleep bags (on request), open dining room, Hot and cold water
Day 2: Up bright and early and ride to and explore the Li-lik-Hel mine
Stop At: Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, Blackwater Lake Road, Birken, British Columbia Canada
Ride to thinly-lik-hell mine, which is not located at Birkenhead lake, only location Viator will allow
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Same accommodation as the first night
Day 3: Slower start, saddle your horses and get a day riding in before you return to the trailhead
Stop At: Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia
You will see the lake from the other end form the Park at our private lunch area
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Long pants and closed toed shoes or boots are required
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking; Please use "Special Requirements" field upon checkout to advise this information
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately, with layers. Sleeping bags are supplied upon request, ,
- COVID-19 Protocols apply, masks, social distancing when not on the horse, sanitization protocols in place
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- Guests must bring their own water bottles. Guests must immediately advise staff if they feel unwell We follow all Provincial Health Guidelines to provide the best protection we can for our staff and Guests
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
SallyJano
August 2023
This was incredible from start to finish! So many great things to say I hardly know where to start! CCO is extremely well run and very organized. The owners Don and Dudley have clearly put a lot of thought into how to make this a great experience. Most importantly the riding is fantastic. The h...
This was incredible from start to finish! So many great things to say I hardly know where to start! CCO is extremely well run and very organized. The owners Don and Dudley have clearly put a lot of thought into how to make this a great experience. Most importantly the riding is fantastic. The horses are well looked after, well trained, and navigate technical and steep trails with ease. The scenery and views are simply spectacular. My wrangler Olivia was amazing and did a great job. After a long day in the saddle the camp was very comfortable. Don's cooking is fantastic! The dinners and breakfasts in camp were all amazing. The beds were extremely comfortable so I had a great nights sleep ready for the next day. If you asked me what I'd change I honestly can't think of a thing. I will never forget this experience. HIGHLY recommended!!!Philipp P
July 2022
The best backcountry riding experience ever: Perfect organization. Exceptionally wonderful created trails in the provincial park. Calm, strong, sure-footed horses (mostly tamed horses from the Lílwat Nations wild herd). Well trained and very friendly guides, thx Maddie and Claire). And last but n...
The best backcountry riding experience ever: Perfect organization. Exceptionally wonderful created trails in the provincial park. Calm, strong, sure-footed horses (mostly tamed horses from the Lílwat Nations wild herd). Well trained and very friendly guides, thx Maddie and Claire). And last but not least a clean and well maintained, luxury campsite with warm water and great outdoor kitchen by chêf Don. 100% recommendation.MichaelfromVancouver
July 2022
Our third three-day ride with Copper Cayuse last week was as amazing as our first in 2020! The late melting snowpack on the Coastal Mountains prevented us from going to the mine or to Ogre Lake as planned. Shelby, our incredible guide, took us on wonderful trails at lower elevations where the s...
Our third three-day ride with Copper Cayuse last week was as amazing as our first in 2020! The late melting snowpack on the Coastal Mountains prevented us from going to the mine or to Ogre Lake as planned. Shelby, our incredible guide, took us on wonderful trails at lower elevations where the snow had melted. The horses were beautiful, well-trained, and well cared for. We stayed at a base camp one day’s ride from where we began the expedition. We slept in our own private tent with a floor and comfortable cots. Don’s food was first class and plentiful. (We liked the sleeping bags so well we ordered the same for ourselves.) We value Copper Cayuse’s commitment to the environment, to the horses, and to working with the Indigenous people on whose beautiful traditional lands we were honoured to adventure.O7897AXcatherineb
July 2020
In the midst of the COVID-19, Don and his team have managed to give us a safe and incredible experience. The challenge to create a 3 day trip would discourage any one to persue such an adventure, yet CCO did it! The equine tours were very well balanced and the variety of lanscapes was incredibl...
In the midst of the COVID-19, Don and his team have managed to give us a safe and incredible experience. The challenge to create a 3 day trip would discourage any one to persue such an adventure, yet CCO did it! The equine tours were very well balanced and the variety of lanscapes was incredible: forest, enchanted trees, rivers, lakes, snow, gold mines... The real precious metals were Don and Heather who both are very experienced, caring and entertaining. I would recommend this 3 day trip to any rider. Be prepared and fit though. Bring a handkerchief to wipe your tears of when you leave: you will have a crush on your horse!Cathy T
August 2018
Three female friends and i met up at the Copper Cayuse Outfitters Ranch on a sunny Friday morning. We were joined by an elderly gentleman from the US who more than matched us in get up and go! We had varying experiences with horseback riding, ranging from none to intermediate. We were paired up w...
Three female friends and i met up at the Copper Cayuse Outfitters Ranch on a sunny Friday morning. We were joined by an elderly gentleman from the US who more than matched us in get up and go! We had varying experiences with horseback riding, ranging from none to intermediate. We were paired up with horses that matched us beautifully. The wrangler guide was very knowledgeable about the area, was very personable and was always checking on with us to make sure we were comfortable. The camp was very comfortable and we slept with the sound of the rushing river lulling us to sleep each night. The food was excellent. The scenery was spectacular although our views on day two and three were hampered by smoke from forest fires, we were not stopped crom fulfilling any of our goals for the weekend. Thank you very much to Don Coggins and our wrangler Annie for giving us a great weekend in the mountains with Oscar, Bridge, Reno and .... ? Although not part of the plan, we also enjoyed helping groom the horses at the end of the day .... a nice way for us to give them a thank you as well!267megan
August 2023
This was the best horseback riding trip we’ve ever been on. From the horses to our guide Kyla and the other guides we met, the views to the accommodation (and let’s not forget the food!), everything was top notch and even better than expected. I never wanted to leave and wish we were still there....
This was the best horseback riding trip we’ve ever been on. From the horses to our guide Kyla and the other guides we met, the views to the accommodation (and let’s not forget the food!), everything was top notch and even better than expected. I never wanted to leave and wish we were still there. Everywhere we rode was stunning, with fun, varied terrain and gorgeous landscapes all around, and beautiful lake swimming and river dips followed by the option of a hot shower at camp plus plentiful, delicious food - we couldn’t have had a better trip and will definitely be back.