WILDERNESS PERMITS for our guests are issued from our commercial quota, NOT from the general public quota.

Day 1: Horseshoe Meadows to Upper Rock Creek—Starting at 10,000 ft. Hikers head west to climb Cottonwood Pass (11,160) and then join the PCT as it contours along the south side of Cirque Peak. The tread is sandy and there is a lot of up and down. There are spectacular views of the Golden Trout Wilderness. At the Park border, hikers head north to the headwaters of Rock Creek. Great views of the Miter Basin. Camp is at Rock Creek Lake. (11 miles)

Day 2: Rock Creek Lake to Crabtree Meadows - Head down canyon to meet the PCT. Hike north on the PCT to climb over Guyot Pass (10,900). We descend to make camp in Crabtree Meadows. (10 miles)

Day 3: Layover – Opportunity to climb Mt. Whitney from the west side. Or, take a short hike to Crabtree Lakes. (15 to 16 miles roundtrip to top)

Day 4: Crabtree Meadows to Tyndal Creek-Travel north to the Wallace Creek junction where we climb a few hundred feet to the Wright Creek Basin. As we head north on the Bighorn Plateau there is a magnificent overlook of the entire Kern River Basin. Camp is at the Frog Ponds near the jct of the Shepherd Pass Trail. (8-9 miles)

Day 5: Tyndal Creek to Upper Bubbs Creek – Hiking north through the high meadows of the Upper Kern we approach the southside of the cliffs. Switchback up a gradual well maintained trail to reach the top of Foresters Pass (13,200ft). This is the highest pass on the Pacific Crest Trail. Magnificent views north to the Palisades. And looking back to the south, view the 14,000 peaks north of Mt. Whitney. And, looking to the west you see the Great Western Divide and the Kaweah Peaks. Hikers head down to Bubbs Creek and make camp beneath Center Basin. (9-10 miles)

Day 6: Upper Bubbs Creek to Charlotte Lake- This is a leisurely day as it is only a few miles to Lower Vidette. After a few miles climb…we descend to Charlotte Lake for the night. (7-8 miles)

Day 7: Layover— The packer heads out for the resupply. Good day for a rest or enjoying the meadows beneath Charlotte Dome.

Day 8: Charlotte Lake to Baxter Creek – Ascend to the top of Glenn Pass (11,980) and descend to the Rae Lakes. Vistas of Finn Dome and the multiple lakes are considered amongst the most beautiful in the Sierra. Hikers head north to camp at Baxter Meadow. (10 miles)

Day 9: Baxter Creek to Woods Creek – A gradual hike through meadows and aspens brings hikers to the crossing where the JMT cuts west and up to the jct of the Sawmill Pass Trail. Camp at the 10,000 ft level and have a campfire or head up canyon near the junction of the Twin Lakes. (6-7 miles)

Day 10: Woods Creek to the South Fork of the Kings - Travel a few miles to the top of Pinchot Pass (12,100ft). Descend past numerous lakes and stunning views as we make camp near Little Joe Lake at the junction of the JMT and Taboose Pass Trail. (8 miles)

Day 11: Layover – Explore the Bench Lake area. (Resupply day)

Day 12: South Fork of the Kings to Lower Palisade Lake or Deer Meadow – Traveling north through the Upper Basin…we reach Mather Pass (12,080). We camp at Lower Palisade Lakes for the night, or hike down the Golden Stairway to Deer Meadow.

Day 13: Lower Palisade Lake to Lower Dusy — Head north on the JMT to Lower Dusy Basin.

Day 14: Dusy Basin to South Lake — Climb to the top of Bishop Pass and head out to South Lake trailhead.

Call us TODAY at 760-872-8331 for a quick response to your questions. You can email us, also. Please note that per California Senate Bill 478 (SB 478), also known as the Hidden Fees Statute, the prices shown for our hiking trips and trail rides include the fees. Your reservation will reflect a breakdown of all fees, and the base price of the trip. FEES: All Trail Rides and Packing Schools are subject to a 2% USFS fee. Horse Drives are are subject to a 3% USFS fee. Mustang Trips are are subject to a 3% USFS fee. Trips traveling in Yosemite National Park are subject to an additional 3% park use fee. Trips traveling in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are subject to an additional 3% park use fee. Permits and permit monitoring fees are applied per person for trips. Permits are issued from the commercial allocation. Rock Creek Pack Station, Inc operates under permit on the Inyo National Forest. NOTICE: In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA?s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027 , found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html , or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provided in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (a) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (b) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (c) email:program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Last Updated: February 2, 2026 Copyright © 2005-2026 Rock Creek Pack Station - All Rights Reserved