The Jim Bridger Pack Trip
4 Days & 3 Nights
Standard Itinerary
(Monday through Friday departures available. Guides will modify each trip based on guest preferences and mountain conditions)
DAY ONE
8 a.m. Check in at our Willow Creek Horseback Rides location (9500 S. Bryan Flats Rd, Jackson, WY)
9 a.m. Drive from Willow Creek to Granite Creek trailhead (30 minute drive)
10:30 a.m. After loading gear and becoming familiar with your horse, group departs trailhead on horseback for base camp (total ride is approximately 3 hours divided in two 1.5 hour ride
segments)
NOON: Arrive at Granite Creek for a sack lunch and to stretch the legs a bit!
1 p.m. Continue the ride to camp
2.30 p.m. Arrive at base camp, get settled into your wall tent and decide what you’d like to do with your afternoon. You can fish the stream near camp, check out the fishing at the beaver ponds, explore the area on foot, or simply relax and enjoy the solitude, sights and sounds that can only be had in the backcountry of Wyoming. Wildlife is plentiful and right there for you to see on a regular basis!
7 p.m. Dinner is served! Your camp cook prepares traditional cowboy meals on-site, which you may enjoy in the dining tent or by the campfire. After dinner, roast marshmallows over the campfire and making smores (because is it actually camping if you don’t eat smores?).
Retire to your tent whenever you’d like; there is no “lights out” time, but experience tells us you’ll be ready for a good nights sleep!
DAY TWO
Morning: Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the dining tent. After breakfast we will hit the saddle and ride approximately 2 hours to Turquoise Lake. Our ride takes us through fields of wildflowers as we climb to this high alpine lake for some fishing and sightseeing.
Late Morning – Early Afternoon: Turquoise Lake is always a highlight of the trip. The lake is surrounded by high snowcapped peaks and small streams coming out of granite rock feeding the lake. The lake is full of brook trout and no matter what your fishing skill level, we’re certain you’ll have a great time trying to land a fish. If you’re not interested in fishing, we can explore trails and mountain peaks on horseback around the lake. And keep an eye out for where you’d like to enjoy your lunch; this will likely be the most incredible picnic experience of your life!
Mid-Afternoon: Saddle up and head back to camp!
Evening: After cleaning up and regrouping, you’ll be served another camp-cooked supper, tell fish stories around the campfire, and retire for the night.
DAY THREE
Morning & Afternoon: After breakfast we will depart for beautiful Mesa Lake. This ride is approximately two hours and along the way will treat you to some of the best views in the Gros Ventre Wilderness. Upon arrival, you are free to enjoy the lake, find a hidden picnic location, and if you’d like, cast a line. The afternoon is yours!
Mid-Afternoon: Saddle up and head back to camp!
Evening: After cleaning up and regrouping, you’ll be served another camp-cooked supper, tell fish stories around the campfire, and retire for the night.
DAY FOUR
Morning: Breakfast in the dining tent will be served at around 8 a.m. After breakfast you can go for a short hike or hit the stream for some fishing near camp.
10:30 a.m. Saddle up the horses and begin our ride back to camp, stopping along the way for lunch (and more fish stories?).
3 p.m. Arrive at Granite Creek Trailhead and continue to whatever is next on your vacation itinerary!
Packing List
Your guide & camp cook will provide all meals, snacks, tents, sleeping bags, cots, horses and fishing gear*
Please bring the following personal items in a duffle bag with a total weight of no more than 20 pounds
- Long pants & closed toe shoes (required for riding)
- Rain gear
- Loafing shoes for around camp
- Hat and/or sun glasses
- Warm coat and jacket; dress in layers (early morning and evening temperatures often dip into the 40’s)
- Change of clothing (including 2-3 extra pairs of socks)
- Personal toiletry items, chap-stick, aspirin/medication, sunscreen, bug spray, washcloth, etc.
- 2 water bottles (at least 32 oz)
- Swimming suit & lightweight towel
- Camera (or phone for taking pictures; note that cellular service is mostly unavailable)
*If you prefer to bring your own sleeping bag & pillow, please let us know ahead of time. If you plan to fish, a Wyoming fishing license is required and may be purchased at various retail stores in town or online at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/apply-or-buy
Meet Your Camp Cook
For the past 20 years, Barry has been serving up authentic Western-style meals, all prepared on-site in his wilderness kitchen. If anyone in your party has special dietary needs, please let us know at least a week in advance and Barry will be sure to accommodate!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Camp accommodations include comfortable wall tents, cots, air mattress pads, lanterns, chairs, and even carpet on the floor!
Each two person tent is a spacious 10′ x 12′, and our 14′ x 16′ family tent has space for 5 guests traveling together.
For guests who prefer not to completely rough-it, a shower tent with hot water may be available upon prior request.
MEALS
Western-style meals are prepared by your Camp Cook in the dining tent and sack lunches are provided on the trail.
As expected, a typical dinner includes meat & potatoes, and of course smores by the campfire, and the smell of breakfast in the fresh morning air is something that every city slicker should experience!
ACTIVITIES
Although for some of our guests, being surrounded by nature IS the activity, there are plenty of options for how to spend your time while in the wilderness.
Fishing, horseback trail rides, hiking, and yes, even napping are all popular choices. And be sure to bring a camera as wildlife sightings such as moose, deer, and even eagles are frequent!
