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 skirt the mammoth Divide, permitting
stirring views of Cascade Valley and Fish Creek, to descend to the
base of the Minarets. 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 (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 Horse Heaven.
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 cross the Fish Creek Bridge before following the
Muir Trail a short ways to Tully Hole and Horse Heavan. Estimated
riding time: 4 ½ hours.
Day 4: Layover
A good day to rest and fish. Or take a day ride up the McGee Pass
Trail. Explore the lakes and streams of Upper Fish Creek beneath Red
Slate Mt. (13,163) and Red and White Mountain (12,850).
Day 5: Tully Hole to Deer Creek
The riders skirt the peaks of the Mammoth divide while riding north
alongside the rim of Fish Creek Canyon. Lake Virginia (10,300) and
Purple Lake (9,900) are two beautiful lakes next to the trail. After
meeting the trail to Duck Lake, continue several hours more to reach
a heavily forested camp on Deer Creek (9,200). Estimate riding time:
6 hours.
Day 6: Layover
Day 7: Deer Creek to Gladys Lake
Riders make good time descending into Red's Meadow (7,500). Ride
through Devil's Postpile National Monument. These cliffs of
crystallized columns of basalt are right next to the middle fork of
the San Joaquin River. After crossing the river, the trail ascends
alongside Minaret Creek to Johnston Lake (8,150). We ride another
hour and a half through forests, ponds and meadowy country to Gladys
lake (9,600) Estimated riding time: 5 hours.
Day 8: Gladys Lake to Thousand Island Lake.
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). Estimated riding
time: 4 hrs
Day 8: Thousand Island Lake to Lyell Fork Canyon.
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. Estimated riding time: 5
hrs.
Day 9: Layover in Lyell Fork Canyon.
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 10: Lyell Fork 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 Transfer back to Rock Creek or Bishop.
Subject to changes
