Yosemite Expedition

Introduction
California USA
Explore over 100 miles of the John Muir-Pacific Crest Trail through wildflower-blanketed valleys, alpine lakes and forested campsites. Opportunity for Golden, Rainbow and Brook trout fishing. The wildlife, glaciers and majestic peaks over 13,000 feet made this John Muir’s favorite backcountry – his “range of light”. We will ride over Mono Pass and join the John Muir Trail before crossing Silver Pass. Continuing on past countless lakes, we skirt the mammoth Divide, permitting stirring views of Cascade Valley and Fish Creek, to descend to the base of the Minarets. Journey past Mt. Ritter and Mt. Banner before climbing to Donohue Pass, the entrance to Yosemite National Park. Our last camp is in the Lyell Canyon. We explore what some call the most majestic meadows in the Sierra in our last day’s ride.

Accomodation


Accommodation
This is a pack trip and all nights are spent camping.

Description
We have a wide variety of tents available (single, double, or family), so please let us know what type you prefer if you have not already. There is a solar shower and privy with toilet seat and tent at the campsites. There is no generator on our trips -- no electrical source is available.
We do not provide ground mats or sleeping bags, so you must bring your own! 

Camping Itinerary
Night 1: Third Recess and Mono Creek Camp
Night 2: Silver Pass Meadow Camp
Night 3 & 4: Horse Heaven Camp
Night 5: Deer Creek Camp
Night 6: Gladys lake Camp
Night 7: Thousand Island Lake Camp
Night 8 & 9: Lyell Fork Canyon Camp



Meals
All meals are included from breakfast on Day 1 to lunch on the last day.

Food is typically sourced from local establishments. We strive to provide a deluxe dining experience and tailor our menus to reflect the tastes of our guests.

We prepare breakfast and dinner. A hot breakfast is prepared fresh each morning. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads are available at lunch and dinner each day.
Lunch is a build-your-own affair, typically completed before breakfast is served. Sandwich makings, fruits, and snacks are available for you to create your own take-along meal.
Each dinner has a different entrée (beef, chicken, pork, etc).

Alcohol is not included in this trip, but guests are free to bring their own.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to vegetarians with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Pace
Riding experience is considered when fitting you for a mount. There are plenty of horses and mules to choose from to fit your expertise. All trips go at a walk. Our crew will help you get comfortable before we leave the pack station. We ride as few as 2 hours or as many as 6 hours in a day.

Horses
Approximately 130 horses and mules are the backbone of the operation. Pack mules carry the provisions for trail riders, hikers, and those wishing to have their gear packed to a wilderness campsite. Mules typically carry 150-240 pounds of equipment, food and dunnage and work from June through September. During the off season, livestock graze fields in the Owens Valley.
Horses and mules come to the pack station as four to five year old green broke. After a couple of years of training they spend up to another twenty to twenty-five years working in the Sierra.

Tack
You are encouraged to bring your own saddle if you have one. However, if your tack doesn't fit our stock, or we deem is unsafe, you will not be able to use it.

Guides
Each year young men and women bring youth and enthusiasm to a crew of senior packers and cooks. Most of the crew come from ranch backgrounds and once they start packing with us, they have a hard time ever leaving. Every member of the crew carries on the traditions of the talented men and women who started the business in the 1940s. New employees learn the trails, traditions, and develop skills to serve another generation of guests. Only the most able, hard working and those with exceptional people skills succeed as staff.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary: Rock Creek to Tuolomne Meadows - subject to changes

Day 1: Rock Creek to Third Recess and Mono Creek
Leaving the Pack Station (10,000ft.), the route follows the Mono Pass Trail, which ascends Mt. Starr to Mono Pass (12,000ft). Enjoy the views of Little Lakes Valley framed by Mt. Morgan (13,748), Bear Creek Spire (13,601), Mt. Dade (13,601), Mt. Mills (13,468) and Mt. Abbott (13,715). After crossing the pass, enjoy unrestricted views of Pioneer and Hopkins Basins. Riders descend past Trail Lake before coming to Gold Creek. Riders go alongside Gold Creek and Mono Creek to reach camp down the canyon.
Estimated riding time: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp near the confluence of Third Recess and Mono Creek

Day 2: Mono Creek to Silver Pass Meadow
Riding down canyon, riders pass through several life zones with groves of fir, Jeffrey, Juniper and Lodgepole Pines, interrupted by meadows and ridges of flowers. After several hours, turn north on the John Muir Trail (Pacific Crest Trail) to climb towards Silver Pass. The trail skirts the edge of Pocket Meadow before heading up beneath the waterfall of the North Fork of Mono Creek. Camp is in a secluded meadow with spectacular views of the mountain ranges to the south.
Estimated riding time 4.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp at Silver Pass Meadow

Day 3: Silver Pass Meadow to Horse Heaven
Continue north on the Muir Trail past Silver Pass Lake to reach Silver Pass (10,900 ft). To the south, view Seven Gables Mt. (13,075 ft), a grand peak overlooking Bear Creek. To the northwest, see Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak and the edge of Yosemite. Descend to the head of Cascade Valley after passing the five lakes in the basin of the Lone Indian. Riders cross the Fish Creek Bridge before following the Muir Trail a short ways to Tully Hole and Horse Heaven. 
Estimated riding time 4.5 hours 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp at Horse Heaven

Day 4: Layover
A good day to rest and fish or take a day ride up the McGee Pass Trail. Explore the lakes and streams of Upper Fish Creek beneath Red Slate Mt. (13,163 ft) and Red and White Mountain (12,850 ft).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp at Horse Heaven

Day 5: Tully Hole to Deer Creek
The riders skirt the peaks of the Mammoth divide while riding north alongside the rim of Fish Creek Canyon. Lake Virginia (10,300 ft) and Purple Lake (9,900 ft) are two beautiful lakes next to the trail. After meeting the trail to Duck Lake, continue several hours more to reach a heavily forested camp on Deer Creek (9,200 ft).
Estimate riding time: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp at Deer Creek

Day 6: Deer Creek to Gladys Lake
Riders make good time descending into Red’s Meadow (7,500 ft). Ride through Devil’s Postpile National Monument. These cliffs of crystallized columns of basalt are right next to the middle fork of the San Joaquin River. After crossing the river, the trail ascends alongside Minaret Creek to Johnston Lake (8,150 ft). We ride another hour and a half through forests, ponds and meadowy country to Gladys lake (9,600 ft).
Estimated riding time: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp at Gladys Lake

Day 7: Gladys Lake to Thousand Island Lake
Riders pass Rosalie Lake, Shadow and Garnet Lake on this ride beneath the Minarets. This is the most spectacular part of the Ansel Adams beneath Ritter, Banner and The Minarets. We make camp on the northwest side of Thousand Island Lake (9,850 ft).
Estimated riding time: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp at Thousand Island Lake

Day 8: Thousand Island Lake to Lyell Fork Canyon
Riders head north over Island Pass to the Rush Creek drainage and exit the eastern side of the Sierra with a climb to Donohue Pass (11,152 ft). This marks the entrance to Yosemite National Park. The views of Mt. Lyell and its glacier are in view as we descend to expansive meadows in Lyell Fork Canyon.
Estimated riding time: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp at Lyell Fork Canyon

Day 9: Layover in Lyell Fork Canyon
The day ride will go up to explore the Vogelsang area of Yosemite. Lake Ireland, Evelyn Lake and the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp are amongst the choices riders have in exploring this alpine area. Or, wander through the meadows and enjoy a day of leisure before heading home.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camp at Lyell Fork Canyon

Day 10: Lyell Fork Canyon to Tuolomne Meadows
We ride north through large meadows to end the trip at one of the most spectacular large meadows in the Sierra.
Estimated riding time: 3.5 hours 
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch



Sample Itinerary: Virginia Lakes to Twin Lakes - subject to changes

Ride the Pacific Crest Trail on this eight-day trip going from Virginia Lakes to Twin Lakes. This trip is designed for those who enjoy a lot of riding. Expect some rough terrain and beautiful sceneres.

Day 1: Ride to Virginia Canyon
Day 2: Layover day with a day-ride to McCabe Lake
Day 3: Ride to Matterhorn Canyon
Day 4: Layover day with day-ride opportunity to Burro Pass
Day 5: Ride to Benson Lake with its sandy shore
Day 6: Layover day at the lake
Day 7: Ride up to Upper Kerrick Meadow
Day 8: Finish the ride and exit at Twin Lakes

Note: This tour is operating under permit with the USDA Forest Service through Special Use Permit on the Inyo National Forest.

Rates and Dates for Yosemite Expedition

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Pack station
Airport: Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH)
Transfer: --

Climate:
                                        Mammoth Lakes area