Mt. Whitney Pack Trains

Mt. Whitney Pack Trains was established in 1921 by Frank Chrysler and Ted Cook. In 1946, Norman B. Livermore, Jr. ("Ike") saw the need for a large pack operation to handle the Sierra Club trips. He acquired over 130 horses and mules by purchasing Mt. Whitney Pack Trains and Monache Pack Station at Sage Flat from Barney Sears. Ike's goal was to promote and protect the wilderness so that future generations would be able to enjoy their public lands using mule-supported pack trips. Bruce Morgan and Tommy Jefferson packed for and eventually became partners of Ike's pack outfit. The Morgan family managed the pack train from 1953 to 1964. Bruce's daughter, Barbara, married Tommy Jefferson and ran the business from 1964 until Barbara passed away in 1970. Tommy continued running the outfit. In 1974, Herb London and Bob Tanner acquired ownership of the outfit. Since that time, the business has continued to be successful with the help of younger generations of both families, who have enjoyed keeping the tradition of packing mules through the beautiful Eastern Sierra alive and well. This building served as the headquarters for Mt. Whitney Pack Trains during the summer, and as a storage shed during the winter. The lumber for this building came from Montesol, Ike Livermore's family ranch near Calistoga, CA.