WILDERNESS PERMITS for our guests are issued from our commercial quota, NOT from the general public quota.
Brief overview:
Explore over 100 miles of the John Muir-Pacific Crest Trail through wildflower-
blanketed valleys, alpine lakes and forested campsites. Opportunity for Golden,
Rainbow and Brook trout fishing. The wildlife, glaciers and majestic peaks over
13,000 feet made this John Muir’s favorite backcountry – his “range of light”.
We will ride over Mono Pass and join the John Muir Trail before crossing Silver
Pass. Continuing on past countless lakes, we visit Cascade Valley and Iva Belle
Hot Springs. We ride through the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Journey past Mt.
Ritter and Mt. Banner before climbing to Donohue Pass, the entrance to
Yosemite National Park. Our last camp is in the Lyell Canyon. We explore what
some call the most majestic meadows in the Sierra in our last day’s ride.
Day 1: Rock Creek to Third Recess and Mono Creek.
Leaving Rock Creek Pack Station (10,000ft.), the route follows the Mono Pass Trail, which ascends Mt. Starr to Mono Pass (12,000ft). Enjoy the views of Little Lakes Valley framed by Mt. Morgan (13,748), Bear Creek Spire (13,601), Mt. Dade (13,601), Mt. Mills (13,468) and Mt. Abbott (13,715). After crossing the pass, enjoy unrestricted views of Pioneer and Hopkins Basins. Riders descend past Trail Lake before coming to Gold Creek. Riders ride alongside of Gold Creek and Mono Creek to reach camp down canyon near the confluence of Third Recess and Mono Creek. Estimated riding time: 5 hours.
Day 2: Mono Creek to Silver Pass Meadow.
Riding down canyon, riders pass through several life zones with groves of fir, Jeffrey, Juniper and Lodgepole Pines, interrupted by meadows and ridges of flowers. After several hours, turn north on the John Muir Trail (Pacific Crest Trail) to climb towards Silver Pass. The trail skirts the edge of Pocket Meadow before heading up beneath the waterfall of the North Fork of Mono Creek. Camp is in a secluded meadow with spectacular views of the mountain ranges to the south. Estimated riding time 4 ½ hours.
Day 3: Silver Pass Meadow to Cascade Valley
Continue north on the Muir Trail
past Silver Pass Lake to reach Silver Pass. (10,900). To the south, view Seven
Gables Mt. (13,075) – a grand peak overlooking Bear Creek. To the northwest,
see Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak and the edge of Yosemite. Descend to the head
of Cascade Valley after passing the five lakes in the basin of the Lone Indian.
Riders descend to Cascade Valley alongside of Fish Creek. Estimated riding time
5 hours.
Day 4: Layover
A good day to rest and fish. Or take a day ride up the Minnow Creek Trail to
Grassy Lake.
Day 5: Cascade Valley to Iva Belle Hot Springs
The riders head down Fish Creek and make camp at the Iva Belle Hot Springs.
Riding time: 2 1/2 hours.
Day 6: Iva Belle to Cold Creek
Ride through Fish Valley and cross the river at Island Crossing. Climb up the
Fish Creek trail to a camp on Cold Creek. (8 miles) Riding time 3 1/2 hours.
Day 7: Cold Creek to Johnston Lake
The group heads a few miles up to Red’s
Meadow before climbing up the John Muir Trail to Johnston Lake.(9 miles)
Riding time 4 ½ hours.
Day 8: Johnston Lake to Thousand Island
Riders pass Rosalie Lake, Shadow and Garnet Lake on this ride beneath the
Minarets. This is the most spectacular part of the Ansel Adams beneath Ritter,
Banner and The Minarets. We make camp on the northwest side of Thousand
Island Lake (9,850). (12 miles) Estimated riding time: 5 hrs
Day 9: Thousand Island to Lyell Fork
Riders head north over Island Pass to the Rush Creek drainage and exit the
eastern side of the Sierra with a climb to Donohue Pass (11,152). This marks the
entrance to Yosemite National Park. The views of Mt. Lyell and its glacier are in
view as we descend to expansive meadows in Lyell Fork Canyon. (13 miles)
Estimated riding time: 5 hrs.
Day 10: Layover.
The day ride will go up to explore the Vogelsang area of Yosemite. Lake Ireland,
Evelyn Lake and the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp are amongst the choices riders
have in exploring this alpine area. Or, wander through the meadows and enjoy a
day of leisure before heading home.
Day 11: Lyell Canyon to Tuolomne Meadows
We ride north through large meadows to end the trip at one of the most
spectacular large meadows in the Sierra. Estimated riding time: 3 ½ hours