Botany of the Sierra Basecamp
June 17 - 21, 2026
5 Days / 4 Nights
Cottonwood Pack Station
Golden Trout Wilderness
$2,222
Learn about the flora of the Sierra Nevada with Botanist Matt Berger, explore the vast meadows and winding creeks of the Golden Trout Wilderness, and enjoy the comforts provided by trained guides, a backcountry cook, and a pack string of mules.
We will hike into a cozy camp in Big Whitney Meadow, where there will be ample time to rest, relax, fish, and explore, with optional day hikes to Rocky Basin Lakes and Siberian Outpost.
Looking for a longer trip with more hiking? Check out the Botany of the Sierra Hiking Loop.
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Dates
June 17 - 21, 2026
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Location
Golden Trout Wilderness - trip departs from Cottonwood Pack Station
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Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
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Operator
Rock Creek Pack Station
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Cost
$2,222
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Guides
Matt Berger - Botanist
Kelly Kate Warren - backcountry cook -
Itinerary
Day 1:
We will leave from Cottonwood Pack Station, hike over Cottonwood Pass and make camp on the edge of Big Whitney Meadow (9 miles)Day 2:
Explore Big Whitney, find the hidden spring, identify trees, flowers, grasses, moss, and lichen, and seek out the rare Golden Trout that populate the creeks in this area (3 miles)Day 3:
Day hike to Rocky Basin Lakes to learn about conifers and enjoy a high alpine beach and spectacular views, or spend the day resting and exploring near camp (1 -9 miles)Day 4:
See more of Big Whiney with an easy hike along Golden Trout Creek, or adventure farther to Siberian Outpost, a stunning mountain pass with unique ecology (1-9 miles)Day 5:
We will pack up camp, hike up and over Cottonwood Pass, and out to Cottonwood Pack Station (9 miles)Guests are welcome to join us for dinner at Merry-Go-Round Chinese restaurant in Lone Pine.
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Distance
Minimum of 18 miles to get in and out of camp (two x 9 mile hikes), with 3 day hikes of 3-9 miles. All day hikes are optional and folks are welcome to lounge in camp or explore closer to home if they prefer.
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What’s included
- Packers & Mules
- Backcountry Cook
- Botanist & Hiking Guide
- A backcountry camp including a kitchen, rainfly, comfy chairs, latrine, first aid kit, and a small library of maps and guidebooks
- All Meals - each day we will enjoy a hot breakfast, cowboy coffee, tea, and cocoa, a DIY lunch spread, snacks, appetizers and lemonade, a big dinner, and dessert -
What’s not included
- Travel to and from Cottonwood Pack Station
- Personal hiking and camping gear
- Staff tips (optional but appreciated)
- Booze
Difficulty - Moderate
This trip covers a minimum of 18 miles, and day hikes can be as challenging as people prefer. We will be near or over 10k feet of elevation for the duration of this trip, and most folks will need to spend a few days acclimating to the elevation before they enter the Wilderness. The hikes on Day 1 and Day 5 are difficult - up and over Cottonwood Pass is steep, switchbacky, and rocky, with significant elevation gain and loss. On days 2 - 4 folks can choose a big hike, exploring more of Big Whitney and Golden Trout Creek, or lounging in a hammock reading a book.
