ROCK CREEK PACK STATION (760)872-8331
| TRIPLE PASS TRAIL RIDE |
Trip Details
Duration: 6 days Group size: 12 riders
Trip Rating: Moderate
Price: $2700 (including fees)
Dates: July 20-25, 2025
Rock Creek to Mammoth
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Trip Overview:
Triple Pass Trail Ride
Experience the beauty of countless streams, lakes and meadows carpeted with wildflowers. The route covers a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail and crosses Mono, Silver and Duck Passes. Opportunity for trout fishing - mornings, evenings and two layover days. Side trips planned to Hopkins Lake and Grassy Lake.
Day 1: Rock Creek Pack Station to Mono Creek (9 miles)Leaving Rock Creek Pack Station (10,000 ft.), our route follows the Mono Pass Trail which ascends Mt. Starr to Mono Pass (12,000 ft.). During the first part of this section one has a panoramic view of Little Lakes Valley, an area with more than twenty lakes framed by towering mountains including Mt .Morgan (13,748), Bear Creek Spire(13,705), Mt. Dade and Mt. Abbott. The Mono Pass trail is one of the oldest routes through the Sierra and was used by Native Americans many years before the first man came through which was the California Geological Survey in the early 1860's. During this climb to Mono Pass, the trail goes through meadows with scattered limber pine and wild flowers, crosses a few small creeks and then climbs above timberline. At all times there is an unrestricted view of the overwhelming landscape. The flowers and trees of the east slope of the Sierra Nevada represent a different life zone than the westside. The lodge pole pine and aspen forest gives way to the white bark pine sub-alpine area. Lupine, Indian Paint Brush, white phlox, mustard and mountain mint cover the landscape as we travel to the top of Mono Pass. It is not uncommon to see families of marmots and the occasional coyote. After crossing the pass ... a barren landscape ... the route starts an easy descent going by Summit Lake; immediately afterwards, Pioneer Basin, Hopkins Basin and the northern Sierra range comes into view. The trail proceeds down past Trail Lake to Gold Creek where we enter the heavier timber and headwaters of Mono Creek alongside which we travel through a long valley with green meadows, wild flowers, stretches of lodge-pole pine, aspen thickets continually broken by small feeder creeks coming from tributary watersheds. The sounds of the Clarke nutcracker break the silence of the wilderness. We make camp near the confluence of one of the many streams cascading into Mono Creek. Majestic Mono Rock towers over the canyon to the south. There are a series of meadows and camping areas from Fourth Recess to Hopkins Meadow. This area was once the center of the Native American summer trading camps.
Day 2: Layover DayLayover Day ---Great areas to explore from a central camp alongside of Mono Creek. Side trips available to Third Recess Lake, Fourth Recess Lake, Hopkins Basin and Pioneer Basin. Exploring Hopkins Basin ... to Lower Hopkins Creek, which is a climb, is a one hour ride from the confluence of Mono Creek and Third Recess Creek. Once at the meadow, there is a trail that climbs straight up to Lower Hopkins Lake ... about a 20-minute ride. Lower Hopkins Lake is the most beautiful lake in the Sierra - itsets on a high shelf, you would never know it's there unless you have been there before. To make a circle route, continue up the inlet stream and drop over a small hill to Hopkins Creek. The green meadows, winding crystal blue creek winding through the meadow and the red talus slopes of Red Slate Mountain make Hopkins Pass one of the most colorful vista points of the trip. The views looking south over the Recesses are awesome. Carpets of shooting stars, buttercups and yellow flowers alternate with the lush meadows dotted by gushing springs.
Day 3: Third Recess and Mono Creek to Silver Pass Meadow (10 miles)Traveling west to the John Muir Trail, ride through several life zones with groves of lodge pole pine giving way to the Jeffrey and Juniper Pine Forest. The trail parallels Mono Creek cascading to the side of the route. There are a wide variety of flowers, shrubs and trees as we descend to the large White Fir forest and tall aspens of First Recess. A short jaunt over a ridge and the Mono Creek Trail meets the John Muir Trail (Pacific Crest Trail). Going up the North Fork of Mono Creek there are spectacular stands of larkspur, white columbine and tiger lily as we enter Pocket Meadow. The trail zigzags up beneath the tumbling falls coming from Silver Pass Lake. Camp is in a sheltered meadow with a winding creek that abruptly ends at the granite cliffs overlooking Pocket Meadow. The panoramic views of the mountains to the south make this a favorite camp of those familiar with the John Muir Trail.
Day 4: Silver Pass Meadow to Cascade Valley ( 10 miles)It is a moderate 1500 ft climb to Silver Pass through high mountain meadows and spectacular unobstructed views of the Sierra to the south. Bear Creek, Selden Pass and the northern border of Kings Canyon National Park open up as we reach the summit of Silver Pass (10,800 ft). The northern view is of the Minarets, Mt. Ritter and Banner and the peaks that form the southern border of Yosemite National Park. Riders meander down through several lakes to reach Fish Creek. The route leaves the John Muir Trail as the group drops into the upper meadows of Cascade Valley. Camp is alongside of Fish Creek.
Day 5: Layover Day Explore Olive Lake Basin or Grassy LakeThe day trip will be up the Minnow Creek trail to reach one of the largest meadows in the central Sierra ... Jackson Meadow. Riders will head up to Olive Lake or to Grassy Lake. It is about an hour to two to one of the lakes. Great fishing or an opportunity for a swim.
Day 6: Cascade Valley to Mammoth Lakes (12 miles)We switchback up 1500 ft. to Purple Lake. The views of the creeks tumbling into Cascade Valley answer the question of how this region was named. We climb gradually to follow the ridge that overlooks Fish Creek and the San Joaquin River. Spectacular views back of the Silver Divide, Jackson Meadow and northwest of the North Fork of the San Joaquin River. The trail breaks west through small meadows in a Hemlock Forest as we climb to Duck Lake. We have lunch before rejoining the trail that follows up and around Duck Lake to Duck Pass (11,000). The trail to the roadhead descends 1800 ft. past many lakes with Mammoth Mountain and the wide expanses of the volcanic region of the eastern sierra in view to the north.
PHOTOS... Click on any photo to see a larger image...
What you need to know
What you need to know…for riders
(TRAIL RIDE, ALL EXPENSE, AND BASE CAMP INFORMATION) OUR SERVICES We supply horses, saddles, food, kitchen and eating utensils, and camping equipment. Dormitory tents will be provided for men and women. Private tents for couples or singles will be reserved by request. Food will be plentiful and deluxe in quality. We provide the preparation of meals; any help is appreciated but not mandatory. Those desiring to learn how to pack may participate in making up loads and packing the mules. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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). RECOMMENDED ITEMS:
LOW-IMPACT GUIDE FOR THE WILDERNESS USERWe are dedicated to conducting our trips so that others following us will find the country unspoiled. Livestock is a natural part of the wilderness and when properly managed enhances man's enjoyment of our unmechanized wilderness area. Today, just as it was when the entire west was mostly wilderness, the horse and mule remain our companions and servants in wilderness travel. We practice and expect you to observe the following during your trip.
You can purchase quality topo maps at TOM HARRISON MAPS. |
