J Bar K Ranch

Ride the Sierras

Lazy K Pack Station

Jim and Karen Hagen invite you to join them for an exclusive escape with your horse to the serenity of the Sierras with the original Kirkwood Stables...

Carson Pass and the Mokelumne Wilderness

Explore the Mokelumne Wilderness on Horseback. The Mokelumne Wilderness is located in the El Dorado National Forest and encompasses some of the most beautiful and spectacular terrain in the high sierras. Soaring mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, lush meadows covered with wildflowers, densely wooded forest and some of the most majestic views imaginable await you in this high country wonderland.

If solitude and great natural beauty appeal to your senses, this is the vacation spot for you. You can fish or swim in one of the many lakes. Photograph spectacular scenery, wildflower and wildlife. This area offers something to please all outdoor enthusiasts.

The Carson Pass area is also rich in history. Famous explorers such as Kit Carson and John Fremont were among the first to pass through this area. Today it is possible to follow their footsteps along the Mormon Emigrant Trail which borders the wilderness area and was one of the main wagon routes to California during the Gold Rush. Kirkwood Stables invites you to escape to the beauty and serenity of the Mokelumne Wilderness and Carson Pass. We are here to make your vacation memorable.

• Special Use Permit by U.S.F.S.

We are a non biased, equal opportunity service

Jim Hagen's Kirkwood Stables

Packing Otis

Guided Scenic Trail Rides with Kirkwood Stables If you’d like to get out of the “corral” and go for a real ride .....

• Hidden Lake/Granite Lake Loop...$ 75 (approx 3 hrs) This ride takes us in and around the Silver Lake Basin. Beginning at Plasse’s Resort, we ride up through the meadow to Hidden Lake, then around the basin to Granite Lake where we can stop for a 15-30 minute break. We continue on our ride back to Plasse’s Resort along beautiful Silver Lake and Treasure Island.

• Mud Lake Loop...$ 85 (approx 4 hrs) The Mud Lake loop ride heads up the old wagon road from Plasse’s Resort and out through the meadows to Mud Lake. Take a 30 minute break and enjoy the scenery of the lake before our return ride via a look at the “old Kit Carson tree”, we go by the Allen Ranch, then back down the ‘switchbacks’ into the Silver Lake Basin.

• Pardoe Lake...$ 105 (approx 5-6 hrs with saddle time 3-4 hrs) A short ‘all-day’ ride into the Mokelumne Wilderness. With about a 2 hour ride to Pardoe Lake we take the time to enjoy about 2 more hours of it’s beauty. You are welcome to fish, go swimming, photograph or paint some of natures best offerings.

• Beebe Lake/Cole Creek Lakes...$ 125 (approx 8-10 hrs with 5-6 hrs riding) These lakes are deep into the Molelumne Wilderness. Experience a day in a pristine environment at one of these high mountain lakes. Chances are you will have the entire lake to yourself, it is seldom that we run into other folks there. The fishing can be great, the air is fresh and the vistas magnificent!