maggie lakes trips
trip dates:
Custom dates offered (contact us for availability)
trip overview
Arrive at station night before, so packers can organize gear (see below, Logistics, for details)
Early morning trailer animals to Summit Trailhead (if group exceeds 7 animals packers will need to stay overnight and extend trip prices)
Gear should not exceed 50 pounds per person and should be packed in 1-2 duffel bags (if two, please make them similar size and weights). You may carry a small day pack with you on the horse that should only contain necessities like lunch and water (for your comfort and your horses).
WHAT’S INCLUDED
saddle horse and equipment including saddle bags
pack mules
professional and knowledgeable packers/wranglers
3 hearty meals a day, snacks and desserts
emergency equipment, including first aid kit and satellite device
camp gear including: shower, toilet, tables, camp chairs
PACKING LIST
tent
sleeping bag
sleeping pad
brimmed hat
bandana
lightweight gloves
riding/hiking boots
warm layers for early or late season trips
sunglasses
reusable water bottle
rain jacket
fishing gear/hard case for fishing rods
duffle bags
headlamp
binoculars
personal toiletries
wash cloth and small pack towel
guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20%)
Gear should not exceed 50 pounds per person and should be packed in 1-2 duffel bags (if two, please make them similar size and weights). You may carry a small day pack with you on the horse that should only contain necessities like lunch and water (for your comfort and your horses).
meals
Meals are very important to GTWP. We use as much fresh vegetables, fruits, breads, and meats as possible. Our backcountry menu has a variety of gourmet and classics; hearty quiches and fruit for breakfast, light deli or chicken salad sandwiches for lunch, stuffed porkchops and sides for dinner, followed by a decadent pineapple upside down cake cooked fireside. That’s just one example of what a day of meals may look like.
dietary needs
If you have certain dietary needs including vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free meals and snacks, please feel free to discuss these with us. We can help customize 3 course meals to keep you packed with energy for your wilderness horseback pack trip.
WHAT ABOUT THE ALCOHOL?
GTWP does not provide alcohol but will happily pack as much in as you would like.
LOGISTICS
WHERE DO WE MEET?
We are located at the Golden Trout Pack Station near Lewis Camp Trailhead, just seven miles from Ponderosa, CA. We ask that guests come up the night before their pack trip and lodge with us because we get started early the next morning. We provide lodge meals and accommodations for an extra cost. Alternatively, you can come up to the pack station the morning of but we ask guests to be here by 5:30 AM, so we can sort and pack your gear and get you on the trail as early as possible. From the pack station, you can use your vehicle or we can carpool you to the Summit Trailhead located ten miles from the PS. At the trailhead, we will finish packing the animals, get you on your horse and on the trail! When we return from your trip, we can unload your gear at the trailhead and you can leave in your vehicle directly from there, OR, if you are not comfortable leaving your vehicle at the trailhead we are more than happy to have you leave it at the pack station, and we can shuttle you back and forth.
GUIDES, GROUP SIZES AND AGE/WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS?
We have a 1:5 ratio; 1 wrangler/guide to five animals, with a maximum of 6 guests (specific to this trip) and 3 guides
Kids must be 6 or older to join a pack trip. Some exceptions available (porter or stock assist) with final approval from GTWP
Guests must not weigh more than 250 pounds and must not have any serious physical or medical health issues prior to trip that could affect safety. Guests weighing more than 250 pounds can be accommodated on a case by case basis and depending on availability of riding mules
BOOKING
Email us (steve.gtwp@gmail.com), or press the button below and fill out the form to start the conversation.