How to plan a Sierra horsepack trip

Sunset, April, 1987

How to plan a Sierra horsepack trip

To get away this summer on a Sierrahorsepacking trip (see pages 98 to 103), you should start planning now while you still have a very wide choice of dates and locations.

Here we list the 35 operators spotted onthe map at right. They offer dunnage, spot, and continuous-hire trips, as described on page 101. As noted in the listings, most also run all-inclusive trips, and some have special-interest trips as well. (Once hunting season opens in late September or early October, most outfitters focus on that sport.)

When choosing dates, consider seasonalfactors. For instance, snow cover may block the higher elevations well into July. Wildflower shows are best early in the season, but biting insects are most annoying then. September and October bring fall color and colder nights.

If you can't book well in advance, tripsearly or late in the season and those with midweek starting dates may be your best bet for openings.

Deciding the who, what, where

Before you write or call, decide whatdates suit your schedule, how many will be in your group (pin down the ages of children), and what type of trip you want. More than 15 in a group can be unwieldy.

If you don't already have a specific area inmind, an outfitter can give suggestions based on your interests and how long you want to ride.

Choosing an outfitter

How much you enjoy your experience dependsin large part on how well the trip is organized, the outfitter's adaptability to your needs and interests, and the condition of the stock and camping equipment. Before you plan a long trip or organize a large group outing, consider a trial run with the outfitter of your choice.

Expect to pay a deposit of 20 to 50 percentwhen making reservations (at least one outfit requires full prepayment). You'll be expected to pay for the trip in full before you set out. Afterward, if you want to tip the crew, 10 percent or around $10 a day per participant for an all-inclusive trip is appropriate.

1. Kennedy Meadows Resort: Emigrant andCarson-Iceberg wildernesses, Yosemite National Park. Fishing. Willie Ritts, Box 4010, Sonora 95370; (209) 532-9096; after June 1, 965-3900.

2. Reno Sardella's Pack Station/KerrickCorral: Emigrant, Yosemite. Reno Sardella, Box 154, Jamestown 95327; (209) 984-5727; after June 15, 965-3402.

3. Cherry Valley Pack Station: Emigrant,Yosemite. All-inclusive, weekend specials. Kay De Voto, Box 5500, Sonora 95370; (209) 878-3596; after June 1, 692-5671.

4. Mather Pack Station: Yosemite. Do-it-yourselfburro trips. Joe or Jay Barnes, 12942 Highway 120, Oakdale 95361; (209) 847-5753; after June 1, 379-2334.

5. Yosemite Trails Pack Station: Yosemite.All-inclusive; girls' (ages 10 to 16) horsemanship camp. Mike Knapp, Box 100, Fish Camp 93623; (209) 665-2908; after June 15, 683-7611.

6. Minarets Pack Station: Ansel Adams,Yosemite. All-inclusive, packing school. Bruce Negri, Box 545, Dos Palos 93620; (209) 392-3121.

7. High Sierra Pack Station: John Muir,Ansel Adams, Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Allinclusive. John or Jenise Cunningham, Box 1166, Clovis 93613; (209) 299-8297.

8. Lost Valley Pack Station: John Muir,Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Do-it-yourself burro trips. Fred or Clara Belle Ross, 2410 Mount Pleasant Rd., San Jose 95148; (408) 238-0632.

9. D & F Pack Station: John Muir, AnselAdams, Kaiser, Dinkey Lakes. All-inclusive, fishing. Brad Myers, Box 156, Lakeshore 93634; (415) 946-1475; after June 15, (209) 893-3220.

10. Muir Trail Ranch: Sequoia/KingsCanyon. Trips for ranch guests only. All-inclusive trips start from the ranch in Blayney Meadow. Adeline Smith, Box 269, Ahwahnee 93601; (209) 966-3195.

11. Clyde Pack Outfitters: John Muir,Dinkey Lakes, Sequoia/Kings Canyon. All-inclusive, fishing, natural history. Allen Clyde, 12267 E. Paul Ave., Clovis 93612; (209) 298-7397.

12. Cedar Grove Pack Station: Sequoia/Kings Canyon. All-inclusive, early season. Tim Loverin, Box 295, Three Rivers 93271; (209) 561-4621; after May 15, 565-3464.

13. Horse Corral Pack Station: Sequoia/Kings Canyon. All-inclusive. John or Sandy Vincent, Box 641, Woodlake 93286; (209) 564-2709; after June 10, 565-3445.

14. Wolverton Pack Station: Sequoia/KingsCanyon. All-inclusive. John or Sandy Vincent--see Horse Corral, above.

15. Mineral King Pack Station: Sequoia/Kings Canyon. All-inclusive, fly-fishing, photography, parent and child. Don Bedell, Box 61, Three Rivers 93271; (209) 561-4142; after June 15, 561-3404.

16. Balch Park Pack Station: GoldenTrout, Sequoia N.F. All-inclusive, packing school. Tim or Diane Shew, Box 852, Springville 93265; (209) 539-3908; after June 1, 539-2227.

17. Golden Trout Wilderness Packtrains:Golden Trout, Sequoia N.F. All-inclusive. Dan Shew, Box 756, Springville 93265; (209) 539-2744; after June 1, 542-2816.

18. Little Antelope Pack Station: Carson-Iceberg,Toiyabe N.F. All-inclusive, early season, photography, fishing. Vic Bergstrom and sons, Box 179, Coleville 96107; (916) 495-2443.

19. Leavitt Meadows Pack Station: Hoover,Yosemite, Toiyabe N.F. All-inclusive, fishing. Bart Cranney, Box 124-A, Bridgeport 93517; (916) 495-2257.