MT. WHITNEY PACK TRAINS
TRIPS 2019

We invite you to take a trip with us to explore Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks and the Golden Trout Wilderness.

Rock Creek Pack Station, operating as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains, offers riding and hiking trips that allow guests the opportunity to climb Mt. Whitney from the west side. For information on the rules and regulations related to fishing in California, directions and links to maps, click here.

GOLDEN TROUT TRAIL RIDE 1 5 days June 24-28, 2019 $995 Horseshoe Meadows to Horseshoe Meadows This trip is operated by Rock Creek Pack Station dba as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains. The route begins at Horseshoe and continues to South Fork Kern, then travel to our campsite Golden Trout Creek below Tunnel Meadows. Layover days allow for rides to Little Whitney Meadows, South Fork of the Kern in Templeton/Ramshaw Meadows and options to ride to Kern Peak and Big Whitney Meadows. We will terminate at Horseshoe Meadows. Excellent fishing for Golden Trout. More information on the Golden Trout Wilderness This trip is operated by Rock Creek Pack Station dba as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains. PROFESSIONAL PACKING SCHOOL #2 Advanced Packing in the Wilderness (section 2) 6 days June 30-July 5, 2019 $1150 This trip is operated by Rock Creek Pack Station dba as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains. Meet at Horseshoe Meadows—a six day traveling educational pack trip into the Golden Trout Wilderness Emphasis on moving camps, wrangling and feeding livestock on the extended wilderness pack trip. More information on the Golden Trout Wilderness KERN PEAK TRAIL RIDE 4 days July 4-7, 2019 $795 This trip is operated by Rock Creek Pack Station dba as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains. Depart from Horseshoe Meadows Meet at Horseshoe Meadow and travel to our camp on Golden Trout Creek or Kern Peak Stringer. We will have day rides to the top of Kern Peak and to Little Whitney Meadows. Return to Horseshoe. OUTSTANDING GOLDEN TROUT FISHING. More information on the Golden Trout Wilderness VETERINARY CARE AND HORSEPACKING IN THE WILDERNESS Horseshoe Meadow loop trip in Golden Trout Wilderness University Extension, UC Davis 7 days July 14-20, 2019 This trip is operated by Rock Creek Pack Station dba as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains. This seven-day, deluxe pack trip has been acclaimed as an outstanding adventure and educational experience. Topics will include: •Wilderness conduct of people •Trail riding safety and horse equipment •Methods of feeding livestock in the backcountry •Management of livestock •Preventative medicine •Evaluating the normal horse •Treating a hurt or sick horse in the wilderness •Packing equipment, fitting saddles, making loads, hitches and leading strings of mules •Veterinary skills including physical examination, floating teeth, intramuscular/IV injections, applying wraps, animal restraint and aging horses •Shoeing More information on the Golden Trout Wilderness Call UC Davis University Extension at 1-800-752-0881 to enroll or go to this link for more information. KERN RIVER GOLDEN TROUT HERITAGE TRAIL RIDE 7 Days July 7-12, 2019 $1750 This trip is operated by Rock Creek Pack Station dba as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains. This seven-day pack trip provides a unique opportunity for both novice and experienced anglers to enjoy some of the best fly fishing the High Sierra has to offer. Guests travel by horseback into remote areas of the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park to fish for isolated species of Golden Trout and Kern River Rainbows. For detailed information please click HERE. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SIERRA NEVADA John Muir Wilderness 5 days July 22-26, 2019 $1485 Start and end at Horseshoe Meadows This trip is operated by Rock Creek Pack Station dba as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains. Immerse yourself in the Natural History of the Sierra Nevada. Join Fulbright Scholar and retired National Park Ranger Dr. Nancy Muleady-Mecham for a once in a lifetime chance to learn all about these mountains and the nature within them. We will explore the night sky. We’ll learn about animal adaptations, birds and mammals; Sierra geology, glaciation, and weather; dendrochronology (the science of tree-ring dating), the mixed conifer and alpine forests, wildflowers, fire ecology; and indigenous people through time. Bring binoculars, cameras and your sense of wonder. Look here for trip details.

Rock Creek Pack Station, operating as Mt. Whitney Pack Trains, offers fully outfitted pack trips for hikers and riders who want to travel into the remote Golden Trout and Sequoia National Park Wildernesses. We originate trips primarily from Horseshoe Meadows but serve guests from the Sage Flat, Sawmill, Taboose and Shepherd trail heads. The Mt. Whitney Pack Trains portion of the Rock Creek Pack Station operates under permit by the Inyo National Forest and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.

You can join one of our Hiking With Pack Stock trips, that allow you to enjoy the Mt. Whitney area carrying only a day pack. Our mules will transport your gear; our cooks and wranglers will meet you at the campsites. Your meals are prepared for you and camp is ready upon your arrival. You hike and enjoy the trip, we will take care of the rest!

Trips departing from Horseshoe Meadows, originate at Cottonwood Pack Station. We park cars at the Cottonwood Pack Station parking lot. We ask that our guests utilize the public restrooms at the adjoining Equestrian campground area. Those wanting to spend the night prior to their trip at Horseshoe Meadows need to stay at the Forest Service campgrounds.

For Custom or private trips, please review these options:
PRIVATE CUSTOM HIKING TRIPS
SPOT TRIPS
All-EXPENSE PACK TRIP
CONTINUOUS HIRE OF STOCK & PACKER.

All cars need to be free of food items or scented products that could attract bears. Please give your packer those items to be stored in our bear proof containers while you are on a pack trip.

There are no phones at Horseshoe Meadows. Cell service is available on the road overlooking the Owens Valley just before you enter the Cottonwood/Horseshoe Meadow area.

To contact Rock Creek Pack Station, even for Horseshoe Meadow information, please call 760-872-8331.

This is mountain travel for the hiker who wants to enjoy the wilderness for longer than his or her back can carry the needed supplies! We prepare your food and packers break camp and move the gear to a pre-arranged spot each day. Guests may bring 30 lbs of personal gear (includes sleeping bag) and we provide the tents, toilet, camp chairs, tables, meals and staff for your travel in the wilderness. Join other hikers on open hiking trips or form your own group for an all-inclusive private custom trip. We provide sample menus and itineraries for your approval.

We can help you create a personal route, menu and ideal wilderness adventure. Call or email us to discuss your schedule and preferred itinerary.

Let us put together an open hiking trip that fits your schedule and interests, and allows you to meet and hike with others. If you have a particular section of the John Muir Trail that you want to hike…please let us know. We offer private trips from the Onion Valley and Bishop Pass trailheads.

RESERVATION POLICY FOR ALL TRIPS

• Complete application form and send a 20% non-refundable deposit to hold reservations.

• Full payment due thirty days prior to starting date and is non-refundable.

• Cancellation and refund policy:
  deposit and final payments within 30 days of starting date are non-refundable. Refund of payment(except deposit)is non-refundable. Refund of payment(except deposit) will be returned only if you fill spot on trip.
  No transfer of deposit or trip fee to following year for cancellations. We advise guests to purchase cancellation and trip travel insurance if you don't want to assume risk of losing payment due to illness or family emergency.

• All rates subject to a 2% outfitter-guide fee and an 8% fee to cover regulatory changes.

• Riders over 200 pounds or who are very heavy for their height need to be approved by the pack station before they may sign up for a trip.

• Riders cannot weigh over 240 pounds.

• The pack station needs to approve all people who have physical characteristics and disabilities that may pose a safety risk for the participant.

• Cancellation and Refund policy: deposit is non-refundable. Refund of payment (except deposit) will be returned only if you fill spot on trip.

• Advise if you need other arrangements.

• Itineraries subject to change due to unforeseen trail or weather conditions or packers discretion.

• No stock left overnight without a packer.

• No riding double.

Call us TODAY at 760-872-8331 for a quick response to your questions.
You can email us, also.