PDF Smith River Map & Guide 6.5 MB download
20 page river guide w/ trailheads mileage and information, navigable runs detailed, campgrounds, picnic sites, fire lookout tower, plus cabin rentals
Kearsarge Pass, John Muir Wilderness @ Onion Valley
pack horses horseback camping horse pack trips
pack trains high sierra packs
& wild horses in California
Overnight Guided Horse Trips into the backcountry wilderness
The most scenic spots in the California high country can only be accessed by foot. If your physical body is not up for carrying all the gear (weight) on your back (backpacking) and hiking (trekking) on foot, uphill for (many) miles, then an overnight horse camping trip (horse packing) may be an option to consider.
Get way out there – with guided professionals. Camp the real back country wilderness. No campground crowds, no RVs humming, no easy access! These experienced stock animals are well trained, familiar & dependable on the trails. Specific interests tours and custom destinations can make it worth your wild. Fishing alpine lakes, hot springs, wildflowers, high country camping (in style). Guides usually provide the camping tents, food and meal prep.
Yosemite High Sierra pack team delivers food & essentials to remote camps, the hard way.
Cottonwood Pack Station
Lone Pine, CA
559-478-2258 Horseshoe Meadows, Mt Whitney, John Muir Trail
Frontier Pack Station
PO Box 656
June Lake, CA 93529
760-648-7701 summer
760-872-4038 winter
Glacier Pack Train
5 County Rd
Big Pine, CA 93513
760-938-2538 Big Pine Lake, Palisade Glacier
JC High Country
Little Antelope Pack Station
Mill Canyon Rd
PO Box 179
Coleville, CA 96107
775-315-6222 backcountry fishing & hunting trips
Antelope Valley Pack Station Wolf Creek Pack Station
D & F Pack Station Huntington Lake
PO Box 156
Lakeshore, CA 93634
800-434-RIDE
559-893-3220
Horse Corral Packers
Sequoia National Park
PO Box 546
Woodlake, CA 93286
559-565-3404 summer
559-564-6429 winter Mineral King Valley, Giant Sequoia National Monument
Wild Horse Sanctuary
5796 Wilson Hill Road
Shingletown, CA 96088
530-474-5770
(overnight treks on horseback to view wild horses)
Wild Horses in Northern California near Lassen Peak, North Sierra Nevada mountains. The mission of the Wild Horse Sanctuary is to protect and preserve America’s wild horses as a living national treasure by providing range sanctuary in an ecologically balanced environment open to the public.
BLM California manages 21 wild horse and burro herd management areas on approximately 2.5 million acres. Adoption and sales.
High elevation, Eastern Sierra @ Onion Valley CorralsBaby Sierra sees a horse for the first time. Photo copyright (2005) Morgan & LisaHorse Meadow Campground near Big Meadow, Kern Plateau
The large list below might seem absurd for a typical camping trip, but if you are planning a full week of tent campin’ w/ 4 wheelin’ in the high country, then many items may come in handy. Gear-heads will appreciate the fun times and the break downs. Remember, repairs are just part of the adventure!
Items specific to off-road travel –
air pressure gauge
allen wrenches
crescent wrench
electrical tape
crimp connectors
grease
pliers
set of open end wrenches/combo wrenches
pocket/utility knife
socket set
screw driver set
pry bar
bailing wire and wire cutters
tie-rod puller/Pitman arm puller
dental pick
telescopic magnet
small lengths of angle iron
tubing/flare wrenches
snap ring pliers
BFH
vise grips
impact driver
JB weld/solder seal
left handed drill & tap/easy out
socket adapter, extension
Locktite
chisel & punch
fresh duct tape
flare tool
bolt cutters
metal shears
disposable gloves
handcleaner
WD40 lubricant
propane canisters & torch
silicone seal / gasket material
brake cleaner
starter fluid
rags
lug wrench
tire plugs
welding sticks
welding goggles
When it comes to the holiday season, California has epic destinations and outdoor recreation. There’s more to do outdoors than look at the holiday lights!
Snowy winter wonderlands span the Sierra Nevada mountains; palm desert oasis can be found in Southern California, ghost towns in the deserts to remote hot springs, there is something for everyone.
These particular locations go ‘all out’ with holiday decor, lights, craft shows, street fairs, and maybe a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Most events are focused around the downtown areas.
Yes, you can! Cut down a Christmas Tree out of the forest. Get a tree cutting permit from your nearest National Forest ranger station.
This half-day adventure is best done with company (more people to help haul the tree). Hot cocoa in a thermos!
Buy a forest map and bring a sturdy hand saw. Be prepared to hike on hillsides and physically haul your chosen pine tree back to the rig. Make sure your vehicle can accommodate the size of your tree; a pick-up truck would be ideal.
Measure the height of the indoor space before you leave, so you know how TALL of a tree to cut. When standing in front of the tree in the forest, there is no reference point for your living room ceiling. May need to cut additional length off the bottom, when you arrive home.
New Years Eve
Everyone knows about the Rose Parade, otherwise known as the New Years Day Parade, held in Pasadena, CA – but few know that you can view these floral floats lining up the night before.
the scent of flowers fills the air
Annually on New Years Eve, the public can stroll along tree-lined Orange Grove Blvd to watch the “finishing touches” being placed on the impressive parade floats.
Be prepared to walk miles for the FREE viewing. Many streets are blocked off (closed) for the upcoming event- so public parking can be tight.
Dress warmly and wear good walking shoes; bring a flashlight and expect chilly temps. Large lights are erected along the boulevard for this last minute finale.
