WILDERNESS PERMITS for our guests are issued from our commercial quotaNOT from the general public quota.
The Golden Trout Wilderness is quite beautifulwith many meadowsstreams and forested areas. This area is great for moving trips in July when passes in the BishopMammoth and Yosemite area are impassable.
Rock Creek Pack Stationoperating as Mt. Whitney Pack Trainsoffers fully outfitted pack trips for hikers and riders who want to travel into the remote Golden Trout and Sequoia National Park Wildernesses. We originate trips primarily from Horseshoe Meadows but serve guests from the Sage FlatSawmillTaboose and Shepherd trail heads.
The Mt. Whitney Pack Trains portion of the Rock Creek Pack Station operates under permit by the Inyo National Forest and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.
Trips departing from Horseshoe Meadowsoriginate at portable corrals next to Cottonwood Pack Station. We park cars at the Cottonwood Pack Station parking lot. We do have a restroom now at Cottonwood Pack Station. Andwe can accomodate guests that want to stay at Cottonwood Pack Station the night before the trip. We ask that you call and let us know that you want to stay the night before your trip.
General Information
Horseshoe Meadow is a vast 10,000 ft high meadowsurrounded by pine forests. Getting to Horseshoe Meadow is an adventure in itself; The road to Horseshoe Meadow climbs over 6,000 feetas it winds its way up from Lone Pine. Three campgrounds are located in the Horseshoe Meadow Area. Trails from Horseshoe Meadow provide access to the John Muir and Golden Trout Wilderness Areasand to Sequoia National Park.
Directions to Cottonwood Pack Station/Horseshoe Meadows
Located at the end of Horseshoe Meadows Road24 miles southwest of the town of Lone PineCalifornia.
The main access to the Horseshoe Meadows Road is closed. You need to use Lubken Canyon Road as the alternate access.Turn south onto Horseshoe Meadows Road when you reach the intersection. Here is a MAP of the detour.
Latitude/Longitude: 36.45172418066291-118.17150474920052 or
36°27'06.2"N 118°10"17.4'W
Google Maps link to Cottonwood Pack Station.
Campgrounds
The Horseshoe Meadows Campground is the easiest and most accessible campsite for those departing on a pack trip.
Part of the Horseshoe Meadow Recreation Areait is located 24 miles from the town of Lone PineCalifornia. The campground has 18 walk-in sites with tent padsshared tablesfire gratespiped waterand toilet facilities. One night stay limit.
Fees: $6/Night for single unit
Usage: Medium
Restrictions: One night stay limit at campgrounds. Wood gathering is prohibited; bring own supply of firewood. High bear activity; bear boxes are provided and must be used (box dimensions typically 18"x18"x50")
Closest Towns: Lone PineCA
Water: Potable Water
Restroom: Vault Toilet (1)
Operated By: Forest Service
All cars need to be free of food items or scented products that could attract bears. Please give your packer those items to be stored in our bear proof containers while you are on a pack trip.
There are NO PHONES at Horseshoe Meadows. Cell service is available on the road overlooking the Owens Valley just before you enter the Cottonwood/Horseshoe Meadow area.
FISHING REGULATIONS INFORMATION
Details on fishing regulations for the Golden Trout Wilderness can be found at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website. Be sure to read them carefully and have a valid fishing license in your possessionif you intend to do any fishing.
The 2025 CALIFORNIA FRESHWATER SPORT FISHING REGULATIONScan be found and printed HERE.
Pay particular attention to :
- Cottonwood Creek drainage lakes (Inyo Co.).
- Cottonwood Creek and all tributaries upstream from the confluence of the main stem Cottonwood Creek and Little Cottonwood Creekincluding the unnamed tributaries flowing through Horseshoe Meadow (Inyo Co.).
- Cottonwood Lakes 123 and 4 and their tributaries (Inyo Co.).
- Golden Trout Wilderness Area
RECREATIONAL FISHING
Rock Creek Pack Station is proud to partner with Golden Trout Guiding Co. and Eastern Sierra Sportfishing to make your fishing adventure more comfortable.
Luke KinneyFly Fishing Guide and Owner of Golden Trout Guiding Co.Put together this list of recommendations for catching that pure strain of Golden Trout found in the streams and creeks on the Kern Plateau.
Some maps of the areas served:
Lone Pine to Horseshoe Meadows
Sage Flat Area
Taboose to Shepherd's Pass
Sequoia National Park
Kern Peak Area
For some beautiful photography of the Mt. Whitney arealook at
Greg Cope's Nature Focused Photography
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You can email usalso. 
Please note that per California Senate Bill 478 (SB 478)
also known as the Hidden Fees Statute,
the prices shown for our hiking trips and trail rides include the fees.
Your reservation will reflect a breakdown of all feesand the base price of the trip.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g.Braillelarge printaudiotapeAmerican Sign Languageetc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA?s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionallyprogram information is also available in languages other than English. To file a complaint alleging discriminationcomplete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint FormAD-3027 found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provided in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint formcall (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (a) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400 Independence AvenueSWWashingtonD.C. 20250-9410; (b) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (c) email:[email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provideremployerand lender.
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