BISHOP HORSE FIELD GUIDE
Labor Day Trail Ride: Three Days on Horseback in the John Muir Wilderness
A leisurely, three-day pack-station–supported trail ride from Rock Creek Pack Station into Tamarack Basin and Dorothy Lake—this guide distills what to expect and what to bring.
Labor Day Trail Ride: Three Days on Horseback in the John Muir Wilderness.
Set out from Rock Creek Pack Station for a three-day horseback journey through the high-country pockets of the John Muir Wilderness. Riders travel easy trails along the East Fork of Rock Creek into Tamarack Basin, camping beneath mountain skies at Dorothy Lake with access to a string of pristine alpine lakes and meadows.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Dorothy Lake: Basecamp Among Alpine Lakes
The trip’s camp is at Dorothy Lake, positioned for day excursions to nearby Catherine, Buck, Francis, Deer and Dam lakes—an easy launching point for short shoreline walks or quiet mornings by water.
Tamarack Basin’s Forests, Meadows and Streams
Trail travel alternates through Tamarack Basin’s stands of trees, open meadows and riparian corridors—terrain that delivers solitude and frequent wildlife-viewing opportunities without long rides to reach camp.
Lakes and Streams of the East Fork of Rock Creek
Riders follow routes into the East Fork of Rock Creek watershed, with repeated stops at pristine lakes and streams that define the trip’s rhythm and provide restful scenery each day.
What the day feels like
What the Three-Day Ride Feels Like
The Labor Day Trail Ride unfolds at an unhurried pace: mounted morning departures, sustained but gentle miles through forest and meadow, afternoons at camp beside an alpine lake, and evenings under clear high-country skies. The operator stages the pack-supported trip to maximize time at Dorothy Lake and short day excursions to nearby lakes and streams.
THE CAMP
Dorothy Lake: Basecamp Among Alpine Lakes
The trip’s camp is at Dorothy Lake, positioned for day excursions to nearby Catherine, Buck, Francis, Deer and Dam lakes—an easy launching point for short shoreline walks or quiet mornings by water.
THE ROUTE
Tamarack Basin’s Forests, Meadows and Streams
Trail travel alternates through Tamarack Basin’s stands of trees, open meadows and riparian corridors—terrain that delivers solitude and frequent wildlife-viewing opportunities without long rides to reach camp.
THE WATERWAYS
Lakes and Streams of the East Fork of Rock Creek
Riders follow routes into the East Fork of Rock Creek watershed, with repeated stops at pristine lakes and streams that define the trip’s rhythm and provide restful scenery each day.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trail ride suits
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Three days.
Start and end at Rock Creek Pack Station; riders should assemble there for departure and return.
Sleeping bag, personal gear, binoculars, cameras and a sense of wonder are recommended.
Riders fee listed as $995.00.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Labor Day Trail Ride?
The ride is three days in duration.
Where do riders meet and finish the trip?
The trip starts and ends at Rock Creek Pack Station.
Where is the camp located?
Camp is at Dorothy Lake, with easy access to Catherine, Buck, Francis, Deer and Dam lakes.
What should I bring on the trip?
Bring a sleeping bag, personal gear, binoculars and cameras; the operator also recommends coming prepared to enjoy the scenery.
How much does the trip cost?
The listed price for riders is $995.00.
What landscape and terrain will we see?
The route travels into the John Muir Wilderness through Tamarack Basin’s alternating forests, meadows and streams and along the lakes and streams of the East Fork of Rock Creek.