Transfer Option:

Arrival in the morning of Day 1. Most rides start at 7:30 AM and end around 4 PM on the last day. A van meets us to take us back to the pack station. Generally we arrive back at Rock Creek around 5 PM.
You should make arrangements for an extra overnight before the trip.

7 day trip, AP Mt.Whitney Trail from Horseshoe Meadow
From Horseshoe Meadow - Pack your tackle for the ultimate Golden trout fishing adventure. Experience the subalpine beauty of Sequoia National Park with camps at Tyndal Creek, Wallace Creek, Crabtree Meadows and Rock Creek. Layover day at Crabtree gives you easy access to climb to the top of Mt. Whitney.

6 day trip, AP Triple Pass Trail
Rock Creek to Mammoth  Experience the beauty of countless streams, lakes and meadows carpeted with wildflowers. Route covers a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail and crosses Mono, Silver and Duck passes. Opportunity for trout fishing mornings, evenings and on two layover days. Side trips planned to Hopkins Lake and Grassy Lake.

7 day trip, AP Lake of the Lone Indian from Rock Creek
This seven-day trail ride goes through the most remote areas of Fish Creek and Mono Creek backcountry. Trip itinerary includes Mono Pass, Silver Pass and Jackson Meadow. Several layover days allow riders to further explore the surrounding lakes and meadows — Peter Pande, Wilbur May, Grassy, and Olive lakes.

7 day trip, AP Ansel Adams - Yosemite
We explore the lakes, meadows and streams beneath the majestic spires of the Minarets and Mt. Ritter and Banner for the first part of our trip. Thousand Island and Garnet Lakes are among the most beautiful lakes on the Muir Trail. The last few days we explore Lyell Canyon and visit the alpine meadows and lakes near Vogelsang.

12 day trip, AP Professional Packing School
Master packing and outfitting skills in this course on a 12-day pack trip. Meet Rock Creek ---
backcountry itinerary at Tamarack/Hilton with emphasis on mastering hitches, packing techniques and management of livestock and people to minimize impact on wilderness. Then six day traveling educational pack trip from Olancha Pass to Horseshoe Meadows. Emphasis on moving camps, wrangling and feeding livestock on the extended wilderness pack trip.

Bring belongings in stout canvas or nylon duffels; side zipper recommended, ideal size approximately 14" x 32". It is a good idea to use a large plastic bag INSIDE of the duffle to protect contents from external moisture.

Sleeping bags can be in separate duffels --again, line the inside of the duffle against rain.

Place all cosmetics, soaps, medications, etc into small plastic containers with close-fitting caps, THEN into sturdy resealable plastic storage bags. If anything breaks or bursts from altitude changes, the plastic bag contains the spill.

When possible, it is a good idea to transfer alcoholic beverages to sturdy plastic bottles with well fitting caps - it will save weight and protect against breakage.

Check in fishing worms and bottle goods separately; don't put in duffel. Place fishing rods in metal or plastic cases.

You will be given a small saddle bag that goes on your saddle horn to carry your lunch and a few personal items. (Weight limit 3 lbs - including lunch).

Remember - try to minimize the weight of your dunnage by packaging only the amount of any item you will need (like soaps, lotions and medications).

RECOMMENDED ITEMS:

• Sleeping bag with a comfort range of 20 to 60 degrees and a moisture proof ground cloth.
• Air mattress or small 1/4"-1/2" foam hip pad recommended - your night's rest will affect your next days enjoyment. Bring the best sleeping pad you can manage.
• Broad-brimmed hat is essential for protection from sun at high altitude. It must have strings to keep from blowing off.
• Sunglasses (RX glasses) - high altitude sun is BRIGHT!
• Coffee mug (plastic for camp)
• Pint water bottle for your horn bag
• Pocket knife or small multi-tool
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Camera and film (sturdy strap)-- if using digital - don't forget an extra battery and card
• Rain jackets and pants or slicker (rolled up you can tie them to the back of your saddle)
• Hat protector (to keep your hat dry)
• Light jacket (windbreaker)
• Wool or fleece pullover/sweater (layers will keep you comfortable)
• Heavy jacket
• Bandana
• Woolen cap (evenings can be cold)
• Gloves (recommend gloves for riding, may want warm gloves for evenings)
• Socks
• Riding boots
• Shoes for camp (moccasins, athletic shoes, etc)
• Shirts and pants (long sleeved shirts offer sun, bug and branch protection)
• Underwear
• Bathing suit
• Bath towel/wash cloth/soap (try a multi-use bar or liquid for use on hair, body and laundry. Biodegradable choices are available.)
• Insect repellent such as Cutters
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• comb/brush clips/pins/ponytail holders
• Shaving kit (a small mirror is helpful)
• Sun Screen (lotion, cream or stick)- use liberally for sunburn and chapping prevention.
• Chapstick with sun protection SPF 15 or better
• Moisturizer (cream or lotion - altitude and sun can be dry and chap skin)
• Prescription medicine (if required - if you have any allergies, remember to bring appropriate medication)
• Band-aids, aspirin, ibuprofen, eye drops, moleskin for any blisters
• Baby powder/Talcum powder (helps to relieve any raw or irritated areas from boots, clothes or saddles)
• Kleenex
• Jogging suit (sweats are comfortable for after-swim and campfire lounging)

OPTIONAL ITEMS:

• Small notepad and pencil
• Collapsible plastic wash basin (optional)
• Solar shower (optional)
• Water filtering pump (optional)
• Liquor- not provided. Bring your own. (be sure to check in with the packers to see that your liquor is packed safely) There is no way to cool it except the lake!  Has to be included in the 30 lbs weight limit per person.
• Fishing equipment (optional)
  • Rod/reel/line (a rod that breaks down into 3 or more pieces is recommended)
  • Compact metal rod case to carry on saddle
  • Canvas creel (no tackle boxes)
  • Leader material (1-3 lb.)
  • Flies: black gnat, mosquito, grey hackle, brown hackle, & royal coachman (No. 12-14 hooks)
  • Bait: worms & Pautzke red eggs
  • Egg hooks, worm hooks (No. 10-14)
  • Split shot
  • Lures (personal choice)
  • Pliers
     

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.