About Us
The Golden Trout Pack Station has been on the mountain for just over 100 years. Beginning in the 1910s, as packing was morphing from military outfitting to recreational outfitting, a man by the name of Owen Rutherford opened a pack station in Quaking Aspen, California. It passed through hands from Rutherford to a Mr. Woody and eventually to Mr. Dan Shew. In 1978, in response to the extension of the forest service road, Dan, with help, moved several of the buildings six miles down the road and replanted the pack station where it stands now. In 2005, Dan sold the pack station to Steve Day who still runs it today and can often be found out on the trail, swinging his rope and dreaming of fish. Today, we are the exclusive outfitter to service over 20 miles on the Upper Kern, a designated Wild and Scenic River with very little angler pressure. We target three native heritage trout; the Little Kern River Golden, the Kern River Rainbow, and the Volcano Creek Golden Trout. We offer half-day and day rides, spot trips, full-service pack trips, hunting trips, and lodging. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, pristine water, excellent meals and the solitude of the western Sierra’s.Golden Trout Wilderness Packtrain is the gateway to the beautifully green southern High Sierras. Located about 16 miles above Camp Nelson and only 4 hours from Los Angeles, you can escape the city and relax in peace and solitude in the same day.
So, for the experience of a lifetime, whether it is fishing, hunting, photography, or just plain relaxing with family and or friends, join us this summer, to explore the last frontier—the back country of the spectacular High Sierras. You’ll discover some of the most primitive and high country wilderness remaining in California.
Our pack trips consist of All Expense, Extended, Drop/Spot, Dunnage, and Food Drops. Not for you check out are day rides and lodging. Bring your camera along for some amazing pictures for memories to laugh about, talk about and remember forever.