Williams Lake Guest Ranches, British Columbia Horseback Riding, Cattle Drives

Overview: You wake peacefully to the sounds of birds chirping outside your window and the sun peering through the curtains of your own private log cabin. The fresh coastal mountain air fills your lungs as you put on your favourite pair of blue jeans and prepare for a big day in the Wild West. Laughter from the main lodge catches your attention as you realize you’ve slept in from the night before. No problem, it’s ‘Chilcotin time’ and at the Elkin Creek Guest Ranch the day starts off when you want it to. Entering the main lodge for breakfast the smell of fresh brewed mountain coffee and a big ranch breakfast welcome you only slightly before the executive chef does. The food is first-class and you won’t be hungry today. As you look around the dining room you see eager faces of other guests ready to take the day by the horns, you are starting to understand why you needed to get away.

It’s time for one more cup of coffee before you saddle up, wish the kids a good day fishing, canoeing, sailing, whitewater rafting or whatever it was they said they wanted to do again. They are in good hands here, the staff all seems very polite and responsible; and the kids just adore them. It’s been a long time since you last rode a horse, you’ve been dreaming about this for years but never quite had the time and never really thought of a guest ranch as a vacation the whole family would enjoy. The remoteness of this ranch makes it so easy to forget all the pressures at home.

One of the young wranglers calls you over to meet a horse named ‘Traveler’. He’s a strong, trusty horse and seeing as it’s been a few years since you last rode he’s a welcome sight. Steadying the horse you slide your boot into the stirrup and hop up easily on Traveler. Gently you pet his coat and let him know that you will take good care of him. The creaking sound of a rustic wooden gate opens and a line of horseback riders proceed out on to the range. It’s a beautiful day, there is still a slight chill in the air but it will be gone by late morning. Two large bulls perk up with curiosity, then just as quickly lay right back down. The nearby mountains are standing tall in the morning light and everyone is happy to be out of the city.

As you move away from all the laughter and the excitement around the main lodge you catch a glimpse of sparkling water just ahead. It’s a valley of lush green with a glass-topped lake. Crossing the cattle guard you can hear the rushing waters of Elkin Creek only a few metres away. A well-worn trail up winds up the hillside and you get yet another glance of this ever-inspiring wilderness. There’s a rustling up in the hillside and a deer takes off with the noise of the group. There is wildlife everywhere here and you can’t help but feel small in the vastness of this unspoiled country.

With so much to see and experience what will the next turn of the trail bring, perhaps another sparkling lake, a small glacier-fed waterfall, or a glimpse of a moose off in the distance? A perfect day

Your Wild West getaway includes fantastic chef prepared dining with a distinctly British Columbian flair. Using the best cuts of beef and poultry, to the freshest salmon and seafood, we are proud to exceed your ranch dining expectations. Our full service kitchen can accommodate large groups without sacrificing the high standards that have made the Elkin Creek Guest Ranch so popular. We buy only the freshest fruits and vegetables and prepare every dish with you in mind. Be sure to bring your cowboy boots and good appetite as we treat you to world-class guest ranch experience. All meals are included in your package and we can accommodate food allergies and most other dietary requests.

Accommodation: Guests are welcomed here with genuine western hospitality. Comfortable accommodation in traditionally built log cabins, which consist of 2 bedrooms and comfortable twin or king size beds with private 3 piece ensuites, comfortable sitting room and private decks with mountain view. A third bed can be brought into each bedroom to accommodate larger families. Larger groups can be accommodated in the privately situated Hill House. Each of these large log cabin's 5 bedrooms have a private 3 piece ensuite. A massive floor to ceiling river-rock fireplace warms the large living/meeting room.