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d_silva1 wrote:Just called the pack station for this area. Dropping off anything up to Piute Creek, no matter how small the weight: $375. Anything past Piute Creek, no matter how small the weight, $750. Seems not quite right in that they could easily add 10 lbs. to an existing trip, rather than charge me two horse and a packer for just 10 pounds. But, yes, I know, it is their business and they set the rules, and there is only one packer to a trailhead, thus a sort of monopoly situation
Wow, you could buy your own horse for that money.. Don't.. Just don't..
Yes, for High Sierra Packers to get to the lip of Evolution Meadow would be a full day and so charge two days RT for a food drop (they've got another 5 miles one way to go around Florence Lake vs. you going over on the ferry). I would think Muir Trail Ranch could do the round trip to Evolution Meadow in a day. They're about 8 miles from there (one way). Some packers set a 15 or so mile limit for a one day trip. Not sure about the ranch but definitely check with them. Normal charge for all packers is the packer, his or her horse, and the pack mule. So $350 day is about average.
g.
PS: maybe advertise here for the dates you're going in and split the cost. I wouldn't mention that to the packer. They charge the same fee even if there's a couple of customers going to the same place... .
gdurkee wrote:Yes, for High Sierra Packers to get to the lip of Evolution Meadow would be a full day and so charge two days RT for a food drop (they've got another 5 miles one way to go around Florence Lake vs. you going over on the ferry). I would think Muir Trail Ranch could do the round trip to Evolution Meadow in a day. They're about 8 miles from there (one way). Some packers set a 15 or so mile limit for a one day trip. Not sure about the ranch but definitely check with them. Normal charge for all packers is the packer, his or her horse, and the pack mule. So $350 day is about average.
g.
PS: maybe advertise here for the dates you're going in and split the cost. I wouldn't mention that to the packer. They charge the same fee even if there's a couple of customers going to the same place... .
Re-evaluate your trip and why you need a food drop resupply. Although carrying 10+ days food may slow you down a bit, after half is eaten, you can do more miles. I have done 14 day trips without resupply. If you prefer lighter pack and going fast on the entire trip, then just build in a day to go to a trailhead or town for resupply. Horse packers generally are not allowed to just drop a resupply; they may be required to actually meet you, and most would not simply drop off food even if it was legal. Resupplies require precise trip planning and are expensive. I would rather have more flexibility and just walk out when needed or carry more food.
We had Fred Ross Lost Valley Packers do spot packing for fishing trips in the area years ago.
They could take gear/food as far as steel bridge for a "one packer-day" charge. They stowed the stuff in 5 gal bucket so you don't have to meet them at drop off point.
Of course, they may have a diff operation now. Beautiful areas up there.