Transfer Option:

Spring Drive: To the Sierra : 2009 Friday June 19- Tuesday June 23 (4 days, 4 nights)

Arrive by 5 pm on Friday in Rock Creek. Meeting is at the Lower Corral of the Pack Station (where the drive ends). A van will take you to camp, ten miles northeast of Independence, the horse's winter range. We have dinner together and go over the trip itinerary. Overnight in tents.
For the next four days, live a truly western experience. After four days in the saddle we arrive back at the Lower Corral Tuesday, in the afternoon.
Last meal is served is the Banquet in Bishop on Tuesday evening. 
Some people leave that afternoon- before the banquet.  If you stay (we reccommend you do!) you should book a room in Bishop for that night.

Fall Drive: From the Sierra: 2009 Saturday Sept 26- Tuesday Sept 29 (4 days, 3 nights)

 Arrive by 6:30 am Saturday (you may wish to book a room in Bishop the night before) in Bishop at the public parking lot behind the Civic Center.
We then take you to Rock Creek for breakfast and leave from Lower Corral.

Four glorious days of riding follow. The ride ends after lunch at our winter range on Tuesday. We return to the Bishop Civic Center by 4pm. Celebration Banquet in the evening in Bishop. Again, you should book a room in Bishop for that evening if you stay for the banquet.
        
               Subject to change

Bring belongings in stout canvas or nylon duffels - side zipper recommended, ideal size approximately 14" x 32". Please, bring your sleeping bag and ground mat. Sleeping bags can be in separate duffels.

Details

1.       The first meal is breakfast on the first day - on the spring drive it is dinner on Friday night. The last meal furnished is dinner buffet the last day.

2.       We provide a saddle bag for trail necessities.  Please do not bring your own saddle bags or day packs unless they are pocket size. Participants may not carry large camera cases with extra lenses on the saddle. If you have extra camera equipment, it can be packed in your duffel or in a safe place on mules.

3.       You will be limited to 3 lb. in the saddle bag which includes your lunch. Your jacket and rain gear are not included in the 3 lb. and may be tied on the back of the saddle. No daypacks allowed on riders' backs.

4.       Each person is assigned a horse for the duration of the trip with regard to the guests' weight, height, and ability.

5.       Dunnage limit is 30 lbs. per person (this includes sleeping bags, fishing equipment, liquor, etc.). There will be a surcharge of $1.50 to $3.00 per pound on dunnage in excess of the 30 lbs. You may bring your own tent if less than 10 lbs. which will not be included in 30 lb. weight limit.

6.       Trip fee does not include alcoholic beverages or lodging night before and after trip.

7.       Gratuities are optional and a personal choice.

8.       Trips will terminate in the late afternoon of last day.

9.       We offer Free shuttle back to Rock Creek Pack Station for trips terminating at other road heads.

10.   The pack station does not boil or treat water. Campsites are remote enough that we feel safe in using the water. If you want to purify water bring your own filter pump or purification tablets.

11.   Reservation form must be accurately completed. The information on age, height, weight and riding ability is used to assign riding animals. Failure to provide accurate information may result in the participant being denied going on the trip with loss of trip fee.

12.   We advise guests to purchase cancellation and trip travel insurance.

13.   Participants will be sent an assumption of risk and a liability release form.  All guests must assume the risk and sign the forms before using Rock Creek's service.  Our forms have excellent guidelines for riding safety that we ask you to study.

Types of Tents Available: Single, Couple, Family- or providing your own. If you have a specific preference, please let us know.

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.