On Now
On Now
MANSIONS TO MOUNTAINS: IN CONVERSATION WITH CATHARINE ROBB WHYTE
OPENS
SUMMER 2021
MANSIONS TO MOUNTAINS: IN CONVERSATION WITH CATHARINE ROBB WHYTE
OPENS
SUMMER 2021
Into the Mountains
Growing up in the Rockies instilled Pearl with a great appreciation for the outdoors. An avid rider, Pearl became the first woman President of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies from 1933 to 1934. The Trail Riders was a Canadian Pacific Railway-sponsored group that began in 1923 and took men and women from all walks of life on rides throughout the back country of the Rocky Mountains. Prior to becoming President, Pearl served as Vice President from 1925 to 1933. Pearl, Philip, and Edmée Moore were all active participants in the group and attended numerous trail rides in the 1920s and 1930s. Pearl would often ride ahead of the pack with Philip Moore to take advantage of fishing and quiet. Though she stopped riding later in life, Pearl continued to contribute to the Trail Riders in some capacity well into the 1960s.
Pearl was also a member of the Skyline Trail Hikers but preferred to explore the backcountry on horseback.
Trail Riders Meeting. Listen to the trail Riders sing Happy Birthday to Pearl and other trail songs.
Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds, S37/20, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Summer was a busy time for the Moores. In addition to hikes and trail rides, the Moores were also involved in running Canadian Pacific Railway bungalow camps in Yoho National Park: Wapta Lake camp in 1921 and Yoho Valley camp at Takakkaw Falls through 1932. During the later 1920s Philip was Recreational Director for the Banff Springs hotel and Pearl managed the Yoho camp alone. These camps were designed to give tourists a rustic, informal resort experience and to make up for the downturn in rail travel in the age of the automobile.