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"