Day 1:Rock Creek to Second Recess/Mono Creek Leaving Rock Creek Pack Station (10,000ft.), our route follows the Mono Pass trail which ascends Mt. Starr to Mono Pass (12,000ft.), During the first part of this section one has a panoramic view of the Little Lakes Valley, an area with more than twenty lakes framed by towering mountains including Mt. Morgan, Bear Creek spire, Mt. Dade and Mt. Abbott. The Mono Pass trail is one of the oldest routes through the mountains and was used by the Indians many years before the first white man came through which was the California geological Survey in the early 1860’s. During this climb to Mono Pass, the trail goes through meadows with scattered limber pine and wild flowers, crosses a few small creeks and then climbs above timberline. At all times there is an overwhelming view of the landscape. After crossing the pass the route starts an easy descent going by Summit Lake; immediately afterwards, Pioneer Basin, Hopkins Basin and the northern Sierra range comes into view. The trail proceeds down past Trail Lake to Gold Creek where we enter the heavier timber and headwaters of Mono Creek alongside which we travel through a long valley with green meadows, wild flowers, stretches of heavy timber, aspen thickets continually broken by small feeder creeks coming from tributary watersheds. The route passes by the old Hopkins and Mono Creek trading area to our camp at the junction of Second Recess and Mono Creek. 6 hours riding time.

2nd Day: Second Recess to Hilgard Fork of Bear Creek We continue our ride along Mono Creek a short time until we climb the wooded North Fork Ridge and meet the Pacific Crest Trail which we follow, descending easily through thick forests of Firs and Ferns, then climb Bear Ridge, a unique volcanic formation; the trail into Bear Creek overlooks cascades framed by Seven Gables Peak in the background. The acres and acres of wildflowers (mule ears, lupine and Bigelow Sneezeweed) will never be forgotten. Camp is made in a central location off the main trail up in Hilgard Basin on the edge of high alpine meadows or near the junction of the Orchid Lake trail. 6 hours riding time.

3rd & 4th Day: Layover From this camp Lake Italy can easily be reached as well as Bear Creek Basin, Rose Lake, East Fork Lakes including Seven Gable Lakes and South Fork Lakes. Seclusion, wildlife and excellent trout fishing. One could easily spend a week exploring these areas.

5th Day: Hilgard Fork to San Joaquin River After a moderate climb to the top of Selden Pass, riders view the edge of Kings Canyon National Park and the south fork of the San Joaquin River. Constantly changing scenery makes this one of the most enjoyable rides with alternating meadows, forests, lakes and streams. Camp is set up at Blaney Meadows near the San Joaquin River and nearby hot pools. 6 hours riding.

6th Day: San Joaquin River to French Canyon The trail winds up the edge of Kings Canyon National Park through a Juniper forest and then turns up the Paiute Creek trail, a steep gorge providing an excellent view of glacial polish. After reaching Hutchison Meadows, we travel through wide wildflower covered meadows past Pilot Nob to a forested camp under a majestic waterfall tumbiling from the granite cliffs above. 5 hours riding time.

7th Day: Layover A variety of lakes known for excellent fishing for Golden Trout are within a short distance of camp.

8th Day: French Canyon to Pine Creek After a short climb through upper French Canyon, we wind our way down into Granite Park, a high glacial amphitheater containing several lakes. We then zigzag down the Pine Creek trail, crossing lakes and streams, riding alongside numerous waterfalls. The trail comes to an end at the roadhead at Pine Creek. We pickup guests at the roadhead and transport them back to the pack station, approximately an hour drive. 5 hours riding time.

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