Shepherd Pass Trail

Riders Approaching Shepherd Pass - Sierra Nevada  2002

The trail started innocently enough, gaining elevation as it gradually left the sage-covered Owens Valley floor. Then, unexpectedly and disconcertingly, there was a considerable elevation loss, with an even greater gain immediately thereafter. At one point the trail narrowed as it crossed an unnervingly steep mountainside: best not to look down! We had lunch trailside near Anvil Camp.

There were frequent rest stops for the horses. Shadows were starting to lengthen as details of the pass began to come into view, the trail almost nonexistent among the granite rubble. Finally, the pass itself.

Riders, Shepherd Pass Trail (Photo Dan Sugars) 2002