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Leave the heavy pack behind and hit Bishop Pass with a light step. Rainbow Pack Outfitters' Dunnage Drops ferry your gear into camp and handle permits so you can focus on alpine lakes, granite ridgelines, and the view from the pass.
Leave the heavy pack behind and hit Bishop Pass with a light step. Rainbow Pack Outfitters' Dunnage Drops ferry your gear into camp and handle permits so you can focus on alpine lakes, granite ridgelines, and the view from the pass.
Book with Rainbow Pack Outfitters
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Rainbow Pack Outfitters · Bishop, California
At the edge of the high Sierra, Dunnage Drops with Rainbow Pack Outfitters turns a strenuous approach into a light-footed day of scenery and solitude. Based out of Bishop, California, this dunnage-drop and packer service ferries your gear up to Bishop Pass so you can hike in unburdened, spend more time exploring alpine lakes and granite ridgelines, and arrive at camp ready for a sunset rather than exhausted. The route climbs from sagebrush-dotted valley into subalpine meadows, past talus fields and glacial cirques carved into pale granite. The pass itself provides broad views of jagged peaks, stepping stones of tarns, and late-season wildflowers that carpet the bowls. Rainbow Pack Outfitters specializes in a 'Backpacker Boost'—carefully timed packer drops and stock carries that move your packs over the steepest, most technical stretches, then meet you at the top. That means you pay only for the dates that involve packer and stock use, not for the length of your stay. What makes this operation vital to the local outdoor scene is practical: Rainbow Pack Outfitters manages Wilderness Permits on your behalf, holds reservations at the pack station the morning of the trip, and offers one-way or round-trip service for groups of 1 to 10. For hikers accustomed to hauling thirty-pound loads through switchbacks, that logistical lift opens new options—overnight routes that felt out of reach become comfortable, family trips are simplified, and backpackers can focus on routefinding, fishing, or photography rather than weight management. Expect classic high Sierra features: hard granite, shallow soils, clear blue alpine lakes ringed by rocky benches, and variable weather at elevation. The service is particularly useful late season when snow patches remain and trail conditions can be unpredictable; packers can move loads across tricky patches so your gear arrives safely. Know in advance that all trips require a non-refundable 30 percent deposit at booking with the balance due on the first day; no-shows are charged in full. Practical notes: arrive at the pack station ready to sign permits, label gear, and confirm load limits; carry a daypack with essentials for the crossing; and plan for altitude and strong sun. For photographers, the granite cirques and lake reflections deliver classic Sierra frames at sunrise and late afternoon. For families or lightweight thru-hikers, Dunnage Drops converts a backcountry slog into a lighter, more intentional exploration of the Bishop Pass high country. When booking, permits are available up to six months ahead and are strictly regulated under USFS policy. Rainbow Pack Outfitters holds your permits at the pack station the morning of the trip. Communicate weight limits, food-storage needs, and itinerary changes ahead of time to ensure a smooth dunnage drop and minimize impact on fragile alpine terrain and wildlife.
moderate.
4–8 hours (service day; multi-day stay varies).
Participants should be comfortable hiking at high elevation for several hours with a light daypack and able to manage steep switchbacks.
Yes. Rainbow Pack Outfitters will reserve required Wilderness Permits and hold them at the pack station the morning of your trip.
All trips require a non-refundable 30% deposit at booking; the full balance is due on the first day of the trip and no-shows are charged in full.
The service accommodates groups of 1 to 10. Confirm weight and size limits with Rainbow Pack Outfitters when booking to ensure safe transport.
Meet at the designated pack station in Bishop on the morning of your trip; the operator will provide final meeting details upon booking.
Packers transport standard backcountry gear and food; communicate food-storage requirements and container needs in advance so they can accommodate them.
Both options are offered—choose one-way or round-trip service depending on your itinerary and desired level of support.
Traditional pack stations and stock use have long supported Sierra backcountry travel; permits and pack support remain a core part of access to high-country routes.
Follow Leave No Trace practices, use required food storage, and respect permit limits—these measures protect fragile alpine soils and water sources.
Rainbow Pack Outfitters is a pack and trail service based in Bishop, California, offering guided horseback rides, resupply logistics, and full-service base camps for visitors to the eastern Sierra. The company operates a range of trips along the Historic Rainbow Trail and into Bishop Basin and surrounding backcountry, including scenic short rides, full-day adventures, fishing outings, and family-friendly experiences. Available experiences include the Long Lake Scenic Ride that travels past South Lake to Long Lake; the Bishop Lakes Ride through pristine lakes, streams, and meadows; the Willow Camp Ride, a gentle 30-minute route along Bishop Creek’s south fork for families and children; and the Rainbow Meadow Ride, a one-hour trail through blooming meadows and sparkling streams. Child-focused Walk'n Lead sessions let children six and under explore the yard with wranglers. For backcountry hikers and longer expeditions, Rainbow Pack Outfitters provides Resupplies that deliver food, gear, and essentials to designated drop points, and Dunnage Drops to carry heavy packs over tough trails to Bishop Pass. Spot Trips transport riders with gear moved behind, available one-way or round-trip with permit arrangements. Full Service Base Camps and the Cadillac Trip offer guided camps with an on-site cook, hiking and fishing access, and planned meals. Full Day Fishing Trip options combine guided rides and fishing in remote lakes. All offerings are launched from Bishop and focus on access to Sierra backcountry scenery. Descriptions and bookings are managed by Rainbow Pack Outfitters; prospective guests should contact the company for availability, permits, and specific logistics.
Book with Rainbow Pack Outfitters