Yet another 5review for these folks. We were camping at Pinecrest and fully intended to rent a boat for the afternoon . I happened to see a flier for Allen Meadow Pack Station and I remembered promising my daughters that I would take them horse back-riding some day Quickly I asked them if they would rather rent a boat or ride horses and without hesitation of coarse they went for the horses. I called up Aspenmeadow and was greeted by a very friendly gentleman on the phone who assured me that they had horses for us and would be ready at 4 PM. After providing me with very detailed directions to the corral, we set out for our adventure. Once we arrived all of tthe guides were incredibly attentive and made us all feel very comfortable with the horses. The horses were not only beautiful, but gentle with my daughters and made the ride very easy for all of us. We did the 1 hour ride for $25 each. This experience was amazing and the price was a steal. Next year we will do the 4 hour ride! Well worth the money and your time!! read more

I revere this place, being very welcoming and well run. Yesterday I was sitting in a hot room doing work on my computer and day dreaming about getting back to the mountains and horses. Then a thought crossed my mind, why not go this weekend? So I went today, appreciative of mother nature's gift - perfect weather and beautiful trails. I was whisked away on Micro, a friendly auburn horse. I have to say, it was like time standing still being caught up in scenery I was in the middle of. A favorite part of this adventure is bringing a bag of carrots I cut into 2" pieces and feed to the horses when I get back from my ride. Today I saw my old pal Snip, who I rode last fall. He's a big, gentle percheron and as sure footed as the rest of the horses. And I pet Bogart, Whistler, Lady Mae..., each with their own sweet way of connecting, especially when fed a treat! read more

Aspen Meadow Pack Station - Active Life Near Me - Pinecrest, California

Awesome 2 hour ride with Dane and Sasha it was beautiful scenery and so fun. Highly recommend if you want a horseback adventure. read more

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We took our large family including 6 kids for their first time horseback riding here a few days ago. It was a wonderful experience! The staff/guides were welcoming, helpful, patient and friendly! One of our kids got spooked on the horse mid ride and they sent another guide out to take her and her dad back to camp while the rest of us finished our ride. Our 5yo was too young for the trail ride but they walked him around on a horse for a while and he loved it. Would recommend a bandana since it was a bit dusty, but beautiful view and a great time! Highly recommend! read more

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I had the most wonderful time on a 7-day, 6-night all-inclusive trip to Pingree Lake in Emigrant Wilderness this August. Seth, Doug, Larry, and the rest of the Aspen Meadow family couldn't have been nicer, more helpful, or more accommodating. From adjusting the menu to reflect the diverse tastes of our group (6 women), to pointing us in the right direction when the trail was poorly marked, to setting up a "split" camp on the way to and from Pingree Lake, and to recommending routes for day hikes, they were amazing. The food was excellent -- veggies, salmon, tri-tip, salad, for example -- with sandwich essentials ready for us to make to take on day hikes. The coup de grace was the ice cream they were able to drop off one night on their way to another camp. They filtered the water, provided tents and cots, and set up a latrine and solar shower. I can't think of anything I would have added to their services. The area is beautiful, with stunning vistas and deep blue mountain lakes. I am looking forward to doing something similar next summer. read more

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When you arrive, this place feels more like a summer camp (for the numerous employees who were buzzing around) than it does a business. The operation is a little inefficient, that's why they're not getting five stars. Otherwise, it's just as you'd expect. Dirt parking lot. Makeshift check-in/check-out counter. Lots of horses, horse poop and tack. If you're hankering to ride a horse, then this is the place for you! If you're only there because you're curious (like me), then the hour ride can't finish fast enough. Either way, reservations are recommended. read more

We went on a one hour ride with our two daughters age 7 and 11 and had a wonderful time. I called a few days ahead of time to schedule our ride and we actually ended up going out just the 4 of us with a guide. Our guide was very knowledgeable and the scenery was gorgeous. We plan to come back again the next time we are in the area. read more

Impeccably sweet humans from head to toe, the staff have great heads on their shoulders and you are treated as one of them when you are in their company. They deeply care about the surrounding environment and the animals' well-being, it shows in their actions and words. They deserve all the best customers and all the best tips. Thank you, service team of aspen meadows - for quite literally offering shelter from the storm. read more

We are beginners. Went on a two hour ride. Clayton was an excellent guide. We can't hardly wait to go again and make this a yearly tradition. Thank you aspen meadows pack station for showing us a great time. read more

My friends and I plan an annual camping trip to Pinecrest Lake each year and last year we saw the Aspen Meadow Pack Station flyer and we all agreed that we had to plan a horseback ride the following year. Our camping trip this year was the end of August and our two hour trail ride was so much fun! Seth led an amazing tour with awesome views and lots of laughs along the way. I think we all left wishing we had booked a longer ride! Each one of our horses had such different personalities but we all felt super safe and relaxed the whole way. I could not recommend this place more! I am hoping to reserve one of their longer pack trips for next summer!!! read more

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I took my wife and two grandkids ages 7-8 to AMPS for horseback riding .my grandkids were a little scared at first but the staff was great and quickly made them feel safe.Doug our guide was super awesome and they provided the safety helmets for the kids and my wife..Our grandkids now think they are cowboys.. they sell water and soda and candy which I had to buy for my grandkids.. Created great memories!! read more

Very friendly, helpful, and accommodating to children. Fairly priced as well for a nice, leisurely lead around a beautiful meadow.

Went for a 2 hour ride today with a friend and our 5 kids from ages 7-18. The entire crew was friendly and helpful, our guides made sure all the kids were comfortable and safe the entire ride! Some of us had experience and the 7 year old had never been riding but we all had a blast! The horses were calm and easy to ride, the scenery was breathtaking, overall the best trail ride I've ever done! We will definitely be going back soon!!! read more

Aspen Meadow Pack Station - Active Life Near Me - Pinecrest, California

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We did the half day ride (4 hours) last weekend. The staff was so friendly and helpful. The ride provided amazing views of meadows, rivers, rocks, etc. Our guide was knowledgeable about where he was and the terrain. We stopped by the river for lunch and it was such an amazing spot. I will confess that by the end of the ride my butt hurt so bad but it's expected with a ride that long when you don't do it often. Thank you all for a great adventure!! read more

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My family and I had a great time. My 9yr old was a natural cowgirl. My 7yr old son was pretty frightened when he was mounted. But after a bunch of tears and a mile or so he warmed up to the ride. The staff encouraged him and made him feel safe. Wish I knew the cowboys name that lead our pack on the trail. He went above and beyond to make my boy feel comfortable. About 3/4 the way he finally was able to let the lead go and my son was riding solo. When we returned to the station all of the staff cheered my son and high fived him for conquering his fear and riding in on his own. We will definitely be going back!!!!!!! read more

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First, the horses - obviously very well cared for, glossy coats, well conditioned for mountain riding, and very calm. Anyone who has worked with horses knows just how much daily ongoing effort this takes! Hats off to you. Second, the ride - we rode through beautiful alpine meadows with lots of wildflowers, forded streams, pretty alpine forests...and even rode through a few snowy areas...and then up up up to the top of Dodge Ridge for massive panoramic Sierra views. Breathtakingly beautiful. Justin, the lead, took care of everyone & was very actively checking on us & the horses throughout the ride...you know how the horses pick up on that and the group stays calm & together...Justin is a total pro, generous, hard-working and a great sense of humor too. Also the staff who helped the group at the start & at the end of the ride were so friendly and helpful too. And frankly, I do not know how they can offer all of this at such a low price (2 hour trail ride $45). A pack trip could be on the bucket list... read more

Ahh, yeah...I got talked into horseback riding when we were up in Pinecrest. (those of you who know me will appreciate the humor in this) My brother and sister-in-law having had previous experience on a horse assured me I'd be fine so we called and made reservations a day in advance at Aspen Meadow Pack Station which is located off Dodge Ridge Road. Aspen Meadow offers a variety of packages from spot trips, extended trips to all inclusive trips. This being my first time, we opted for a trail ride. For trail rides, you can choose 1 hour up till all day. We ended up choosing a 2 hour trek which was $35. Aspen Meadow is family owned with many horses on site. I have to admit that I was a bit overwhelmed! We were asked to sign a waiver and also give information on our riding experience. We were also offered helmets if we wanted them. The horses were then pulled for us and one by one we were helped onto these big, beautiful animals. I had a 16 year old mare named Britney and good ole' Britney lived up to her diva name. We started out in a line with the guide in front of us. I was amazed how the horses knew where they were supposed to go though Britney got a bit irritated when my bro's gigantic colt Benjamin stopped to do his duty and she then jumped the line. The terrain was beautiful and a bit rugged as we ascended up the mountain. We made it to the top of Dodge Ridge with all the ski runs. I wish I would have had a camera. Our guide was very nice, friendly and knowledgeable. All in all, it was a very good trail ride and we are planning to do it again in August 2010. read more

Had an awesome time riding into Buck Lakes with Becka and Dane. Both of them were extremely knowledgeable about riding and made sure to point out when our saddles needed adjustment. Other guys at the camp also pointed out what lures to use to catch fish there and we ended up catching a whopping 31 fish! (Too small to keep so we released them, but they fight hard!) Will be coming back next year for our camping trip for next year! read more

We have been using Aspen Meadows Pack Station for well over 20 years, and we have really appreciated the tremendous service that they offer. We just finished a three day trip out with Doug, with full travel, food, camp and overall top notch wilderness concierge service. Doug is a great packer, good cook, good conversationalist, etc. We could not have had a better time. We were joined on the journey in and out by Keith, Bob, and Garrett, who are also outstanding packers.... This was my second trip of the year. In July I rode up to Deer Lake, then I hiked through Pinngree Lake to Louse Canyon, where the packers picked up all of the equipment from our annual outdoor adventure with a dozen guys. We just could not get into the wilderness without the guys and gals at Aspen. If you want a top notice horse packing experience, this is one of the top stables in the Sierras... they know what they are doing, they have excellent horses and mules, good equipment, and very reasonable prices. We loved them, and look forward to our trip into the Emigrant Wilderness again next year. read more

Second time here and we enjoyed both experiences. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Our guide was Becca and she was great. There is a lot of dirt on the trail so just be prepared. Overall, we really liked this place and will definitely be back next year! read more

I give this beautiful place 100/10. The staff and overall environment is beyond amazing. It's beautiful views and staff make you feel comfortable and relaxed. Becca our guide was an absolute pleasure and a pure soul! I will be returning again and again. Take all my money. Y'all are little angels!! read more

Super rude owner. When we called him and asked for directions after passing the place (only 12 minutes off), he copped an attitude and said in a very put out way "oh you're already too far off and halfway to the other horseback riding place maybe they can take you". Is this seriously how they treat their customers?? We were only 12 minutes off and we had made an appointment WITH them. If they're too inconvenienced to take customers and have them ride then why bother letting folks make appointments? I highly don't recommend coming here. read more

A must do if you are up in Pinecrest! This amazing family run business gives you a true taste of the West! There is a large stable of beautiful, healthy horses. The rest of the place is a collection of tack rooms and bunkhouses where the packers/guides sleep. It almost looked like some sort of staged 'old west' scene, but is was all for real! The reception/registration area consisted of a few folding chairs on an open porch. We were met warmly by the owner's wife (with a 3 month old baby on her shoulder). She asked one of her daughters (about 6 years old) to bring over the waiver forms for us. We were early, so we had lunch at the picnic tables and then took a stroll through the beautiful meadow in front of the pack station. The horses were very tame and well behaved. The trail ride was no cheesy pony ride. The horses took us up a rugged trail through the Emigrant Wilderness. We ended up high on a ridge above Bell Meadows. We could see Haystack Mountain inside Yosemite off in the distance. There were six of us, three had never been on a horse before, but the horses and guides were so great nobody had a problem. I couldn't believe this incredible trip was only $25 per person. We will definitely be back! read more

Aspen Meadow Pack Station - Active Life Near Me - Pinecrest, California

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We did the 1 hour trail ride with a group of 7 (5 adults, 2 kids ages 8 and 14) beginners. The guide and assistant were very conscientious about being sure we were comfortable. When my daughter mentioned how beautiful the wildflowers were, the guide pointed out and named all the flowers as we passed. We really enjoyed the experience, the views were amazing. The horses seemed to be well cared for. We were a few minutes late as the drive took longer than I expected, but they were courteous and accommodating. We would definitely do this again. read more

Just 10 minutes from Pinecrest Lake! We took our kids, ages 7 and 9, here to Aspen Meadows, for their first horseback riding experience today. Our horses and guide were great. We did a one hour trail ride up to the top of one of the ridges and our guide took our picture with a beautiful valley and Bell Meadows below. We will definitely come back for many more rides and may even do one of the overnight camping trips for our vacation next year. read more

Took the family for a half day ride today (wife and 2 kids 11 and 12). Horses were saddled and ready to go when we pulled in 10 minuets early. Wranglers we're knowledgeable and helpful. Horses good for this type of ride. I'm picky as I did this type of job in Colorado 30 years ago for a summer. This is a true trail ride, stream fords and all. I'd give them 6 stars if I could. read more

My family and I have visited Aspen Meadow Pack Station twice this summer already, and we are really hoping to make a third trip before the kids head back to school. What a great place to go for a one-hour, two-hour, half-day, or even longer ride! My husband enjoyed the one-hour ride and he hasn't been on a horse for more than 20 years. The view of Haystack Peak and Bell Meadows from the top of the trail was gorgeous and serene. My oldest daughter who takes riding lessons each week enjoyed this pleasure ride so much and loved watching the activity of all the beautiful animals around the Pack Station while we weren't riding. Our other two daughters who are just 5 were completely happy to go out to the Meadow on the two gentlest lead horses you'll ever meet, Pete Rose and Gretchen. The new owners of the Pack Station, Seth and Doug, have been working there for ages, and everyone on staff treats each other like family. This is a fantastic place to spend some time if you are in the Pinecrest area, whether you're an experienced outdoorsman or just looking for a great family experience! We plan to visit every year and make Aspen Meadow part of our annual summer plans. read more

Aspen Meadow Pack Station - Active Life Near Me - Pinecrest, California

This is a super late review, but I still want to post it. This placed treated me great! Me and a friend wanted to plan a short backpacking trip so we used the horses to take us out into the wilderness with our packs. They took us 10-15 miles in on horses in 3-4 hours then dropped us off and we took a few days to hike back, and fished along the way. The price was very reasonable. It was an amazing experience I will always remember and helped jettison us into the wilderness on a tight time limit. read more

What an amazing experience for the family. Seth and his crew of cowboys are knowledgeable and professional. My little one was uncertain of horses, but their animals were great and all he talk about was his ride in the back country. Spend some time at Aspen as it is the only way to get the full Pinecrest experience! read more

I went there recently with the kids for an hour ride. The staff was patient with my kids who were riding horses for the first time. Not only were they patient but they were more than capable. I never had any doubts that they would be able to handle any situation that would arise. It was one of the best things I've done in years. Oh, and the scenery was absolutely amazing. I'll be coming back for sure. read more

Being pretty experienced backpackers, we decided to branch out a bit and ride into our campsite. Aspen Meadow Pack Station was very easy to find, and when we got there, though we were a bit late, everyone was very friendly, helpful, and informative. We were asked to sign a waiver and were offered helmets, and then they gave us directions to the Crabtree trailhead, where they would follow us with the horses, pack mule, and tack. We chose to do about a 5 hour, 11 mile ride up to Deer Lake, a beautiful alpine lake. When they got there, we started riding within 5 minutes. The two guides were very friendly and knowledgeable about the area, pointing out multiple wildflowers and various types of trees along the way. they were also very talkative. I was very impressed with the horse I was on, Walter. He never stumbled once, during the whole 5 hour ride through very rough terrain, consisting of mostly rock ups and downs. He also seemed to know exactly where he was going, like he had been on the trail many times before. All I had to do was hold on to the saddle horn while going down hill, no steering or anything. He was also well-groomed (not to mention EXTREMELY cute!). Upon arriving at Deer Lake, we were shown the best campiste, and told a bit about the area, and then the guides went on their way, after assuring us that if we were not back withing 3-4 days (when we told them we planned to come back) they would send someone out looking for us. Overall, this was a great experience, and I would go out of my way to return! read more

I just returned from a three day pack trip with Aspen Meadows Pack Station. Although I've been out with them before in groups organized by others, this is the first trip that I've personally organized. Josh and the staff provided wonderful information and any accommodation that was required. As a former horse owner, I appreciate the care they take with their stock. I'll definitely be using them again. read more

Had a great experience with my girls first time riders .. Service was great little hard to find no signs but they told me they weren't allowed to put them up do to forest service regs. So just keep driving there at the end of the road . I defiantly would do it again. Hobo great horse :) read more

I scheduled a drop trip for 5 guys in Early August 2015 with Aspen Meadows Pack Station. We pulled in at exactly 6am and were welcomed by owner Josh. Josh was laid back and easy to work with. We backed up the truck to the loading dock and they went to work. Within 30 minutes the gear was weighed and loaded into panniers for 4 mules. Nice work, I was expecting a longer time. Our main packer was Seth who has worked the trails for about 9 years. He was able to answer all our questions about the area as we rode in. We rode to Wood Lake Via the Crabtree trail head. If you do not ride wear padded bicycle shorts. I wore the shorts under some blue jeans and was fine. You might notice sore knees or back at the end but that wore off in a couple hours. The packer will adjust your stirrups saddle etc... at any time during the ride. We were dropped off at Wood lake and set up camp. Seth had another group he was picking up the next day so he stayed out at another location that night. He stopped by the next day on his way out to check on us. He brought us some extra beer left over from another group which he did not have to do but did anyway. These folks are genuine good people and I will be back because of the great experience. I have backpacked outside of Bishop Ca and a few other places. The terrain in this area is beautiful and the elevation is moderate. When you start going above 10500 feet the elevation really starts to get to a person that does not spend time at elevation. In this area it is around 8400-8500 feet depending on where you end up. Most people will feel the lack of oxygen but nobody in the group experienced any altitude sickness. Generally in the Sierras there is better fishing in spring and it tapers down as the summer moves along. The opposite happens with mosquitoes. In spring the mosquitoes can be heavy and taper off throughout the summer. Snow pack plays a part in when this window starts and ends. In our case I only had 5-6 land on me the entire time. I was only bit 2 times. I did not apply any Deet during the entire trip and often wore short sleeve t-shirts. Try that in the spring and you will be sorry. Despite it being late in the summer we still caught some nice trout. The largest fish for the trip was about 14 inches and fairly plump. Seth picked us up right on schedule and again had our gear packed and loaded into the panniers in about 30 minutes. In another 30 minutes or so we were back on the trail for the ride home. The one thing I was surprised about was the amount of granite on the trail at various locations. Trust your horse. These animals were conditioned and handled the terrain without any problems. Keep up the good work, See you Soon. read more

Having patronized the Kennedy Meadows Pack Station with my daughter for 12 years I went out of Aspen Meadows with my spouse. Excellent service on the way out became critical when my wife took a fall and we had to call in the pack service via SAT phone. They came out, at night, packed all our stuff and took us back in the middle of the night. Amazing ride and a little scary, but true pros. Josh and his team are very impressive and going back with them again. read more