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HISTORY OF
ASPEN MEADOW
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The Early Days
Aspen Meadow Pack Station
has been guiding riders, hunters and fishers to the Emigrant Wilderness
area for more than 80 years. Originally called Strawberry Stables
in 1929, the pack station was located in the meadow across from
the Tuolumne river on Old Strawberry Road.
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the early ‘50’s, long time Tuolumne County resident Reno Sardella
purchased the pack station and moved it to the location that now houses
the Pinecrest ranger station on Highway 108. Reno, an avid hunter
and fisherman, and a real lover of the Emigrant Wilderness, grew the
pack station to include more than 200 head of stock. Reno and his
family considered themselves stewards of the wilderness area and worked
with the forest service and other agencies to ensure preservation
of the land and wildlife in the Emigrant Wilderness. |
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| In the
late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s, the pack station had several locations
and names, and finally found its home at Aspen Meadow. Reno and then
his daughter, Laverne Litteral, operated Sardella’s pack station for
many years until it was recently sold and renamed, Aspen Meadow Pack
Station. |
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Aspen Meadow Today
Born and raised
in the Sonora area, Josh Bloom and his wife Amanda purchased the
pack station when Reno Sardella’s daughter, Laverne retired in 1999.
With more than 60 head of horses and mules, Josh and six packers
guide brand new and experienced riders to the mountains, lakes and
meadows of Emigrant Wilderness.
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Although
most of the horses at Aspen Meadow are quarter horses or mixed breeds,
Josh feels that the breed is not as important as a horse’s temperament
and overall athletic ability, which will enable it to traverse the
back country with any rider. The horses at Aspen Meadow are raised
in the mountains, and are trained and ridden by the Aspen Meadow staff
for many years before they are able to carry a customer. In addition,
special care to shoes, and ongoing veterinary care ensure healthy
animals and a safe and comfortable ride for our customers. |
The
horses and pack mules work very hard during the summer months at Aspen
Meadow. But in the fall, they are transported to an 800-acre ranch
in the Sonora area, where they are turned out to relax, play and frolic
for the winter months.
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