Pack Mules Anyone?

[Benny]

Here is a link to what might be of great intrest to some of you guys and gals that can't backpack through the high country as well as some of the other younger cats on the board. The prices seem fair and from the information on the site they offer drop/spot trips which can help with loads of gear into the back country. I almost used there service this year but had to cancel due to a change at work. I hope this helps some of you guys and gals out.
http://www.goldentroutpacktrains.com/

[stlhdr]

thanks for the link...I have a group of 4 talking about a drop off kind of trip next year for 5-7 days and this could be perfect....-Mike

[anacrime]

I wanna do it next year for SURE

[Benny]

After reading a bit on another thread, I thought it would be a good idea to bump this link back up.

[northernfly]

Thanks for the info, Ive always wanted to go in there.
thanks
NF

[flybob]

Thanks Benny, been looking at that for a while now.
I think you really got to get a good group of people together to commit to something like that!
I would be so much fun!

Hey Northernfly welcome aboard! Lot's of fun and info to be had here, a great bunch of people to be sure!
Now go to the "Where did you come from" post and do little bio on yourself, and read about the rest of us!

Bob

[Rob909]

I remember looking at that link the first time it was posted. That would be a blast.

I had saved for a pack trip this past summer, but it never materialized.

With a fun group of characters, that would be a trip for the books.


Rob

[castaway]

Anyone know the price per person for a drop off trip?

Is it 265 a day per person - does that mean fo ra dropoff/pickup

trip it would be renting them for 2 days regardless of how long I stayed?

I am not sure the site is clear - have been looking at that for awhile.

They may be busy next year .

[Wildman]

As someone who meets the criteria set out by Benny and someone who has spent a day or two at the front and back end of a mule, packing is a way of moving a great deal of equipment to remote locations. Sure makes a nice camp when the ice chest is full of beer and steaks. All of the packers in the Sierras provide a wonderful service in their territory and can share some magical spots. Since I shoe, vet and feed ten horses every a day, I know that their rates are reasonable. I will be exploring some country next summer with my animals, my fly rod and a good dog.

Here is a shot of me helping pack in a trail crew in the Domeland Wilderness. We supported 24 of them for two weeks.

[castaway]

Wildman,

could you, do you, would you, (for a fee) give your services to other fly fishermen?

[Wildman]

No for a couple of reasons. First, to operate commerically, you have to be licensed by the Forest Service and carry a bunch of insurance. Second, when you do it for money, it becomes a job. These folks make their living showing people their section of the Sierras and it wouldn't be ethical to take paying customers into their turf.

I simply play at it and would not be comfortable taking money for it. Frankly, the professional packers are like fishing guides. They know how to do their job efficiently and quickly and most of all safely. They know the best spots where stock can either stay at camp in a meadow or where the best places to drop you off depending on what you wanted to do. The rates you see are really a bargain and I suspect the drop off rates (I suspect that they are the wrangler and the stock rate for the day....each way) are double the bargain. There are wonderful pack outfits all up and down the Sierra and out of state as well.

My suggestion would be to pick an area of the Sierras....talk to the pack outfit that services that area and start saving for your trip of a lifetime.

[Eric]

Benny thanks for the link. That is something I would really like to do next year. Jim thanks for the advice. That is something we will have to talk about over a nice campfire this weekend.
Eric

[Benny]

I just thought it would be very cool to let everyone know that there are plenty of options to get into the back country. If you look online there are lots of pack train outfitters and like Jim said, "There are wonderful pack outfits all up and down the Sierra and out of state as well."

I intend to hire a pack outfitter next year for sure

[Autodave]

Jim-That photo of you is toooo cool!!!

[Benny]

How many of you would be intrested in going on one of these pack trips? I'd be willing to hang out with a few of you misfits but the question really is how many of you are willing to hang out with this misfit Would be kind of cool to get way back there with lots of good food and good company.