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Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters
U.S.F.S. Special Use Permittee Outfitter Guide Service
Jim and Karen Hagen, who have lived and worked in the Sierra for over 25 years, offer a rare variety of trail rides and pack trips customized especially for your family or group. Jim and Karen Hagen invite you to join them for an exclusive escape on one of our seasoned, well cared for horses into the serenity of the Sierras with Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters, the original "Kirkwood Stables".
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The Mokelumne Wilderness Explore the Mokelumne Wilderness on horseback. The
Mokelumne Wilderness is located in the El Dorado National Forest and encompasses
some of the most beautiful and spectacular terrain in the high Sierras.
Soaring mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, lush meadows covered with
wildflowers, densely wooded forest and some of the most majestic views
imaginable await you in this high country wonderland. If solitude and
great natural beauty appeal to your senses, this is the vacation spot for you.
You can fish or swim in one of the many lakes. Photograph spectacular
scenery, wildflower and wildlife. This area offers something to please all
outdoor enthusiasts. |
The Carson Pass area is also rich in history. Famous explorers such as Kit Carson and John Fremont were among the first to pass through this area. Today it is possible to follow their footsteps along the Mormon Emigrant Trail which borders the wilderness area and was one of the main wagon routes to California during the Gold Rush. Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters (formerly Kirkwood Stables) invites you to escape to the beauty and serenity of the Mokelumne Wilderness...we are here to make your vacation memorable. |
Our Scenic Trail Rides and Day Rides:
We give you more than just the same old dusty trail rides you get at the volume stables. Ride with us and experience what real mountain horsemanship is about! All of our rides are individualized and personalized for your group. Because we don't have one location or trailhead from which to start our trail rides and pack trips, we trailer in or haul our horses to the multiple trailheads for these exclusie destination rides. Because we do trailer the horses from the J bar K Ranch, and that phone service is often not available to us in the Sierra, we ask that you make reservations and confirm them well in advance. Multiple trailheads include: Allen Ranch Trailhead at Plasse's Resort, Oyster Creek Trailhead at Silver Lake, and Tanglefoot Trailhead.
Some of our day ride options include (length of rides varies and is approximate):
Hidden Lake/Granite Lake Loop...$105 (approximately 3
hours).
This ride takes us in and around the Silver Lake Basin. Beginning at
Plasse's Resort, we ride up through the meadow to Hidden Lake, then around the
basin to Granite Lake where we can stop for a 15-30 minute break. We
continue on our ride back to Plasse's Resort along beautiful Silver Lake and
Treasure Island.
Mud Lake Loop...$120 (approximately 4 hours).
The Mud Lake loop ride heads up the old wagon road from Plasse's Resort and out
through the meadows to Mud Lake. Take a 30 minute break and enjoy the
scenery of the lake before our return ride via a trail that offers a look at the
"old Kit Carson tree"; we go by the Allen Ranch; then back down the switchbacks
into the Silver Lake Basin.
Pardoe Lake...$135 (approximately 5-6 hours with saddle
time 3-4 hours).
A short "all-day" ride into the Mokelumne Wilderness. With about a 2 hour
ride to Pardoe Lake, we take the time to enjoy about 2 more hours of the area's
beauty. You are welcome to fish, go swimming, photograph or paint some of
nature's best offerings.
Beebe Lake/Cole Creek Lakes...$150 (approximately 8-10
hours with 5-6 hours riding).
These lakes are deep into the Mokelumne Wilderness. Experience a day in a
pristine environment at one of these high mountain lakes. Chances are you
will have the entire lake to yourself, it is seldom that we run into other folks
there. The fishing can be great, the air is fresh and the vistas
magnificent.
Horse Canyon Trail to Kirkwood...$175.
Ride up Horse Canyon Trail from Oyster Creek at Silver Lake with a relaxing
lunch break at Scout Carson Lake, then head up and over West Pass following the
old Emigrant Wagon Road down into Kirkwood Valley. This ride requires a
shuttle of vehicles before we depart on our point to point ride for the day.
Recommendations, requirements and suggestions for Day Rides:
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Long pants
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Bring a jacket or sweater, wear long sleeves
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Closed toed shoes or boots required, but not heavy soled hiking boots
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Helmets are available
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Advance reservations a must
| Pack Trips: If you're up for a multi-day back country adventure, try one of our unique custom pack trips in the Mokelumne Wilderness (Highway 88 Scenic Corridor surrounding Kirkwood Ski Resort, Carson Pass area, and Silver Lake). We offer pack trips to small groups only and participate in "Leave no Trace" practices. |
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Dunnage Trips: This is the ideal trip for people who enjoy hiking without the vigor of a heavy pack. The packer will take your gear to a pre-arranged destination and return to carry your gear back out at the end of your trip.
Spot Trips: We supply the horses and guides, you supply your own gear and provisions. Our experienced guides will pack you up to a spot of your choice and drop you off. We will return to pick you up on a pre-specified day and bring you back to civilization.
| Full Service Trip: Our three-day, all-inclusive trip leaves from Silver Lake. We follow the Carson-Mormon Emigrant Trail, set camp and spend the following day enjoying the high Sierras. We conclude the trip by riding over historic West Pass and into Kirkwood. The 3-Day Silver Lake to Kirkwood Full Service trip is $900 per person. |  |
Other customized Full Service Trips available.
Base Prices and Fees:
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Fees for all pack trips and specialty trips are specific to what kind of trip you design for your small group, thus, based on how many horses and pack animals are needed. A packer-with-horse fee is applied when parties are for one person or more than 6.
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Riding Horse...$150/day
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Pack Horse or Mule...$125/day
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Packer with Horse...$175/day
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Minimum fee for all Day Rides and Pack Trips...$250/day
