California
Off the Map: Horseback Riding in the High Sierra Nevada Wilderness
Program No. 10322RJ
Immerse yourself in the Sierra Nevada’s rugged beauty, surveying the secluded landscapes on horseback to learn about the region’s history, culture and legends from local adventurers.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
12 meals (
4B, 4L, 4D
)
2 expert-led lectures
4 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Bishop, California
Meals:
D
Stay:
Best Western Bishop Lodge
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Please note that smoke and forest fires can cause road closures in California during the summer months. For up to date road conditions and closures, contact the California Department of Transportation hotline at 1-800-427-7623 or at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Afternoon:
Program Registration: After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
We will walk to a nearby restaurant. As we linger over dinner, get to know some of our wranglers/staff from the pack station who will talk informally about our learning adventure on horseback.
Evening:
Orientation: 6:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Your mobile phone will not get reception once we leave town. Please inform your friends and family not to expect any communication from you until after the program. All of our day rides will take place in a national wilderness area. The Wilderness Act of 1964 created the legal definition of wilderness in the United States and at that time, protected 9.1 million acres of federal land. Our camp will be a half mile from the pack station and we will remain in the same camp for the duration of the program. Typically, we will ride 4-9 miles a day or approximately 5-6 hours with an hour break for lunch. Topics for evening campfire talks will vary by season, location, and staff expertise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. After orientation we’ll walk back to the hotel. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
2
Arrive Base Camp, Trail Rides into Sierra Nevada Mountains
Location:
East Fork of Rock Creek, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Rock Creek Camp
Activity Note
Driving personal vehicles, up to 35 miles, approximately 1 hour. Horseback riding up to 8 miles round-trip; mounting/dismounting throughout the day, mounting blocks not available on trail. No cell phone service at Pack Station. Elevation up to 10,000 feet.
Breakfast:
Upon arrival at the pack station.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel early and drive our personal vehicles to the pack station before breakfast. The pack station will provide breakfast once we arrive. After breakfast, we’ll then divide into two groups and mount up for our trail rides up to Dorothy Lake into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, learning about local flora and fauna along the way.
Lunch:
In a scenic spot, we’ll have box lunches.
Afternoon:
Our learning adventure exploring the wilderness will continue. Later in the afternoon, we’ll ride back to our camp and get settled. We will remain in the same campsite for the duration of the program.
Dinner:
Around the campfire.
Evening:
Evening campfire talks will vary by season and staff expertise, addressing a range of topics such as natural or human history.
Day
3
Meadow Trail Ride, Campfire Lecture
Location:
East Fork of Rock Creek, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Rock Creek Camp
Activity Note
Horseback riding about 6 miles roundtrip; mounting/dismounting throughout the day, mounting blocks not available on trail. Elevation up to 11,000 feet.
Breakfast:
Around the campfire.
Morning:
We will set out on a horseback riding field trip into the John Muir Wilderness. We’ll divide into two groups for trail rides into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, learning about aspects of natural history as we go.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch from Rock Creek Pack Station.
Afternoon:
Returning to camp through this scenic wonderland, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
Around the campfire.
Evening:
We’ll gather around the campfire with fellow Road Scholars for another opportunity to learn about the area’s fascinating natural and human history.
Day
4
Trail Ride to Francis Lake, Entertainment
Location:
East Fork of Rock Creek, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Rock Creek Camp
Activity Note
Horseback riding up to 16 miles roundtrip, mounting and dismounting throughout the day; mounting blocks not available on trail. Elevation up to 11,000 feet
Breakfast:
Around the campfire.
Morning:
Our horseback riding field trip this morning will take us to Francis Lake. We’ll divide into two groups for trail rides into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, learning about aspects of natural history as we go.
Lunch:
On the trail, we’ll have box lunches.
Afternoon:
Returning to camp along the trail, the remainder of the afternoon will be free.
Dinner:
Around the campfire. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
In the superb silence of the High Sierra, we’ll enjoy a special treat as we’re joined by a guest musician. Sing, clap, dance, or just sit back and relax under the star-filled sky.
Day
5
Ride to Trail Pass, Program Concludes
Location:
Bishop, California
Meals:
B,L
Activity Note
Horseback riding about 6 miles roundtrip; mounting/dismounting throughout the day, mounting blocks not available on trail. Elevation up to 11,000 feet.
Breakfast:
Around the campfire.
Morning:
Today we will ride back to the main pack station.Take in the beauty of the high county as we reflect back on our program in one small section of John Muir’s Range of Light.
Lunch:
At the Rock Creek Pack Station cookhouse. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025
Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 12, 2025
Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025
Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025
Sep 7 - Sep 11, 2025 Itinerary Differences:
Starts in Bishop and takes place in the John Muir Wilderness.
