Trip Overview:

Hike through the secluded and less traveled wilderness in Yosemite National Park. Enter at Virginia Lakes to visit Matterhorn Canyon, Smedberg and Benson Lakes. Enjoy a section of the Pacific Crest Trail with breathtaking views of granite peaks, cascading creeks and lush meadows. Enjoy campfires, good food and comfortable camps with others that enjoy this spectacular backcountry.

Arrive at Virginia Lakes Pack Outfit by 7:00 AM where your gear will be weighed and you will be served a hearty breakfast. Your personal vehicles will be left in the pack station parking area.

Begin at Virginia Lakes; Ending at Mono Village, Twin Lakes.

You will be ferried the one mile from the pack station to the trailhead. The pack station will pick you up at the entrance to Mono Village Campground, returning you to the Virginia Lakes Pack Outfit station.

Hikers should be able to walk eight miles, 1,500’ elevation gain and 2,500’ loss. You should acclimate to 8,000’ to 10,000’ for 1-3 days prior to the trip. You should acclimate to at least 8,000’ to 10,000’ for 1-3 days prior to the trip.

Day 1: Virginia Lakes to Virginia Canyon 10 miles 1,650’ gain, 2,828’ loss
Travel past many lakes to reach Summit Lake before the descent through meadows and forest to a camp alongside Return Creek.

Day 2: Virginia Canyon to Matterhorn Canyon 7 miles 1,681’ gain, 1,902’ loss
Join the Pacific Crest Trail and head past Miller Lake before descending to Matterhorn Canyon. Spectacular views of the Cathedral Range.

Day 3: Matterhorn Canyon to Smedberg Lake 5.5 miles, 1,959’ gain, 1,181’ loss
A beautiful walk takes hikers down alongside meandering Matterhorn Creek before climbing alongside of Wilson Creek to Benson Pass.

Day 4: Layover at Smedberg
Excellent side trip options to Surprise Lake or to Rodgers Lake. Or, enjoy a leisurely day at this beautiful lake nestled below Volunteer Peak.

Day 5: Smedberg Lake to Benson Lake 4.5 miles, 489’gain. 2,118’ loss
The trail descends dropping 1,900’ in 3 miles to Benson Lake. The lake is known for its sandy beach and excellent swimming. Some enjoy heading to Rodgers Lake to take a longer trip to camp.

Day 6: Benson Lake to Upper Kerrick 9 miles, 2,664’ gain, 905’ loss
This a day of hiking uphill to Seavey Pass. The granite domes and steep walled peaks make Lower Kerrick Meadows a highlight of the trip.

Day 7: Upper Kerrick to Twin Lakes 9 miles, 929’ gain, 3,104’ loss
After traveling up to Peeler Lake, hikers view the panorama of the Sawtooth Range. Then begins to descend through the Hoover Wilderness to end at Mono Village.

PHOTOS...

Upper Kerrick Canyon

Above Matterhorn Canyon

Miller Lake

Lower Kerrick Canyon

Pack animals near Smedberg Lake

What you need to know…for hikers on pack stock supported trips

Dunnage limit is 30 lbs. per person (this includes sleeping bags, fishing equipment, liquor, etc.)

You may bring your own tent up to 10 pounds that is in addition. The PCT 28-31 day trips allow 35 pounds of duffel.

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.

ESSENTIALS

• Footwear. For this trips a medium-weight pair of hiking boots. We do not recommend lightweight hikers or tennies since they give little ankle support and the soles are often thin.
• Camp Shoes. A lightweight pair of tennies or Tevas to wear in camp. This will reduce vegetation damage at our campsites.
• A day pack. It should be large enough to take water, extra clothing, rainwear, camera, etc during the days.
• Sleeping Bag. Most summer trips are warm and a bag rated to about 25°F will be plenty warm enough. We much prefer down bags, and good quality ones at that. Your bag should weigh in around 3 pounds.
• Sleeping pad. A 3/4 or full length closed cell foam or Thermarest. If you bring a Thermarest also bring a repair kit to fix pesky holes!
• Coffee mug (plastic for camp)

CLOTHING

• 2 pair synthetic liner socks.
• 2 pair heavier synthetic or wool blend socks.
• Long underwear top. Capilene, some other synthetic or the new pure Merino wool types.
• Long underwear bottom.
• Warm pants. Tights or Expedition Weight Capilene.
• Warm shirt. Synchilla or R2 weight works well.
• Another fuzzy sweater top or pile jacket of some sort
• GoreTex Jacket and Pants. A lightweight set is sufficient and heavy bulky clothing is unnecessary. Side zips on the pants should be long enough to slide over boots. Jacket must have a hood. Do not skimp on your rain gear. Nylon ponchos are not acceptable.
• Shorts for on the trail
• Tee shirt for on the trail
• Lightweight capilene or similar gloves.
• Warm hat. Synthetic or wool.
• Sunhat

ETC.

• Sun glasses.
• Water Bottles. Two quart (1 liter) wide mouth bottles and/or a hydration system holding up to 50oz. (2 liters). Don’t bring bike bottles or any bottle that doesn’t have a wide opening.
• Headlamp. --and a spare set of batteries!
• Pocket knife. Swiss army style.
• Personal toiletries. It is not necessary to smell like a rose each day so do not over do it.
• Personal Medical Kit. The guide will carry a large kit so yours will predominately consist of foot repair items, mild pain killer such as Advil and bandaids.
• Sunscreen and lip screen. SPF 30+. A 1oz. bottle will be enough. Make sure the lip stuff actually contains a sunscreen.
• Bug repellent.
• Camera. A spare battery and card are good backups
• Ski/trekking poles. These are not essential, but can be handy on the trail. It is your choice, but they do save wear on the knees.
• Plastic trash bag. Handy for keeping gear in outside the tent should it rain.
• Optional reading material, etc.

FOOD

We provide the all meals on scheduled trips. You can bring your favorite "on-the-trail" snacks.

OPTIONAL ITEMS

• Small notepad and pencil
• Collapsible plastic wash basin (optional)
• Solar shower (optional)
• Water filtering pump (optional)
• Liquor (be sure to check in with the packers to see that your liquor is packed safely)
• 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

You can purchase quality topo maps at TOM HARRISON MAPS.