What Is Balch Park Pack Station?

Balch Park Pack Station is a family-owned and operated outfitter based in Springville, CA, offering guided horseback day rides, all-inclusive backcountry pack trips, and glamping trips in the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park. It suits travelers who want a guided Sierra Nevada wilderness experience without arranging their own stock, gear, or route—and who can travel during its June–September season.

What the Station Offers

The operation is run by Tim and Dianne Shew and centers on customized pack trips planned around each group. Its services fall into three main categories:

• Day rides — short guided horseback outings, from one hour to half a day.
• All-expense-paid trips — multi-day backcountry experiences priced per person, per day.
• Stock and packer support — spot trips for groups bringing their own itinerary, with animals and/or a guide provided.

Day Ride Options and Pricing

The minimum-guest rules matter for planning: a solo rider or couple can book the one-hour ride, but the two-hour and half-day rides require a group of four.

All-Inclusive Pack Trips

These are per-person, per-day rates that decrease as the group grows:

For a small party, the two-guest rate is the most expensive per head; assembling a group of six or more cuts the daily cost by roughly 29% compared with the pair rate.

Spot Trips: Animals and Packer

For groups that want stock support rather than a fully guided package, the station lists spot-trip rates for destinations including Hockett, Maggie's and Blossom Lakes, Wet Meadow, and Pecks—trips described as eight hours or more in and out.

Animals

Packer (guide)

Note that animal and packer rates are listed separately, so a supported trip typically combines both line items.

Season and Booking

Rides are requested for dates from June through September only. Booking goes through a request form on the site asking for name, email, phone, service selection, requested date, and trip details—so the first step is submitting a request rather than purchasing a confirmed slot immediately. Expect to discuss itinerary and group size with the station before a date is finalized, especially for custom pack trips.

Is It the Right Fit?

Choose Balch Park Pack Station if you want a guided, stock-supported trip into the Golden Trout Wilderness or Sequoia National Park and are traveling between June and September. A one-hour ride works for a pair or small family; the two-hour and half-day rides need four people. For multi-day trips, the per-person cost drops noticeably at six or more guests, so larger groups get the best value. If you prefer to plan your own route but need animals or a packer, the spot-trip rates give you that middle option.