[pct-l] Kearsarge Pass

[Bob Bankhead]

Uber B is correct about the Onion Valley Pack Station. It is not manned
24/7; only when they are running a pack train 

OR

Whenever they are meeting a hiker to deliver a pre-arranged supply box. They
have their own private bear box on site where they will leave your box if
you don't show up on the day upon which you all previously agreed. Missing
your date will mean the shower won't be available to you.

You MUST arrange in advance with the Berners. Their contact information is
listed in my earlier post, included at the bottom here.

Wandering Bob



-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Emily Toby
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 3:48 PM
To: PCT list
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Kearsarge Pass


Bristlecone and I were camped out at the Onion Valley campground at Kearsage
Pass last year in June for two weeks when the herd passed by, shuttling
folks to/from Independence.  
Be aware that there was absolutely NO sign of life at the Pack Station,
there was nobody there, no horses, no operations, no camping or showers, no
nothing, as late as the July 4th weekend, when we left.  They may open
earlier when the snow levels aren't as high, but you absolutely must contact
them if you intend to use them or their facilities, IMHO.
There were plenty of day hikers during the weekends at this trailhead, but,
it was pretty deserted during the week.  Same for the campground.  I
wouldn't want to leave anything that I absolutely needed in one of those
boxes, including a bear can.  As far as I know, everyone got a ride to and
from town from this trail head that needed one (and a beer or two), and
didn't have to wait too long. 
We'll be back, by popular demand again in 2012.  We intend to camp out at
the Onion Valley campground for several weeks sometime in June - to help
this years thrus get to/from town.  I can almost drive that steep windy
twisty mountain road with my eyes closed.  (Definitely with my nostrils
closed! you stinky hiker trash).
Uber B



> From: wandering_bob at comcast.net
> To: thopkins415 at gmail.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:41:19 -0800
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Kearsarge Pass
> 
> I did it, but only once. The public bear boxes (as opposed to the 
> private ones in the campground) are on the north side of the parking 
> lot, near the bathrooms. These are your typical metal boxes - long and 
> low. They are out in the blazing sun all day, accessible to anyone, 
> anytime, and subject to being improperly closed by careless folks. 
> Bear all of that in mind if you elect to cache a box there. Needless to
say, anything that can melt, WILL.
> My partner left my Bearikade Expedition there one year. It was still 
> there when we retrieved it - much to my surprise and his relief. Be 
> sure to leave your name and expected arrival date on it.
> 
> That said, the Onion Valley Pack Station offers showers and camping 
> for a small fee, and will hold boxes for a hefty fee (similar to Muir 
> Trail Ranch) or deliver them to you at selected locations for an even
heftier fee.
> Contact Brian or Dee Berner at Sequoia King Pack Trains in 
> Independence; bernerspack at yahoo.com or pinecreekps at aol.com, and phone 
> is 800-962-0775 or 760/387-2797.
> 
> For a listing of other Sierra packers, see 
> http://www.owensvalleyhistory.com/pack_stations/page54.html
> 
> Incidentally, the access road to Onion Valley is a very steep, curvy 
> asphalt snake. Drive it slowly and carefully. You would never want to 
> walk it, even downhill. Hitching a ride into Independence should be 
> easy enough as there are lots of cars in the parking lot - KP up and 
> back is a popular day hike; getting back from Independence is more "iffy".
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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