Transfer Option:

Spring Drive: To the Sierra :  (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 served is the Banquet in Bishop on Tuesday evening. 
Some people leave that afternoon- before the banquet.  If you stay (we recommend you do!) you should book a room in Bishop for that night.

Fall Drive: From the Sierra:  (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 --

Sample Itinerary for Spring Horse Drive:

Arrive by 5 pm on Friday in Rock Creek. Meeting is at the Lower Corral of the Pack Station (where the drive ends).

Day 1: Thibaut Field to Big Pine
Breakfast at dawn and we leave the corral at 7:00 AM. The riders head out for the first four miles along the aqueduct and get used to their horses. When the horses catch up with us, we keep the horses held back as we ride east of the Owens River. There is alkaline grass meadows, tules, sage brush, camel thorn and plenty of dust. We'll stop for lunch at 10:30 to 11:00 alongside of the Owens River. Those wanting to get off and head to the hot springs and camp on Baker Creek can take the afternoon off. The afternoon ride is approximately four hours past Tinnemaha Reservoir and up the Valley. Its tough riding in the heat over 100 degrees...its the real thing. We swim in the huge pool at Keoughs Hot Springs and camp alongside Big Pine Creek. 

Day 2: Zurich to Bishop
We start at dawn and spend four hours riding along the base of the Inyo Mountains. Spectacular views of the Palisade Glacier and the Sierra Nevada. We follow the old narrow gauge railroad and ride through the ruins of the old farms and ranches of the Owens Valley. After lunch, we cross 395...always one of the highlights of the trip. Those wanting to head to camp early can get off at lunch. We ride for three hours in the afternoon and skirt the southside of Bishop. Camp is at Millpond with a lake, showers and a great place for music. We celebrate Fathers Day with fiddlin, guitar playing and plenty of ice cream and cake.

Day 3: Bishop to Swall Meadows
We travel the stock drive route through Round Valley and start to climb up Old Sherwin Grade on the original wagon road. The sagebrush gives way to pinyon pine forest. The last night we spend in Jeffrey Pine Forest alternating with meadows and Alders alongside of streams that come out of springs just above camp. Panoramic views of the White Mountains and you can see where we rode up through the Owens and Round Valleys.

Day 4: Swall Meadows to Upper Rock Creek
We climb up Sand Canyon and follow the original wagon road into Rock Creek Lake. In less than two hours we are at 9-10,000ft riding through high mountain meadows with the snow covered peaks surrounding the riders. After a leisurely lunch, we ride to the East Fork of Rock Creek and take the trail down to the Lower Corral. Expect to be at your cars by 3pm. We host a celebration banquet at 6 pm in Bishop.

-- Subject to change --

This list is only a guideline for you

• Travel documents and Voucher
• Flight tickets
• Passport
• Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

• Comfortable riding jeans
• Cowboy boots or ankle boots and full or half chaps (optional)
• Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)
• Gloves
• Broad-brimmed hat - essential for protection from sun at high altitude. Must have strings to keep hat from blowing off
• Woolen cap
• Rain jackets & pants or slicker
• Light jacket (windbreaker)

PERSONAL CLOTHING

• Heavy jacket
• Sweaters
• Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
• Jeans
• Shorts
• Underwear and socks
• Jogging suit
• Pyjama
• Shoes for camp
• Swimsuit

FOR CAMPING

• 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
• Towel and small bar of soap

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

• Personal Toiletries
• Insect protection
• Personal medications
• Sore cream (for the emergency)
• Sewing kit
• Handkerchiefs
• Coffee Mug (plastic for camp)
• Camera and film (sturdy strap)
• Sunglasses (RX glasses) - high altitude sun is BRIGHT!
  
• Sun tan lotion and lip balm 
• Pint water bottle for saddlebag
• Rod-reel-line
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Small canteen
• Pocket knife

PERSONAL CHECK LIST
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).

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

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 small 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 day packs 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. 

14. The Pack Station does not boil or treat water.  Campsites are remote enough that we feel safe in using water. If you want to purify water, please bring your own filter pump or purification tablets.

15. Free parking for guests' cars at Pack Station.

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.