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See USE NOTICE on Home Page.

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Stories from the Mule Days Programs
(All stores courtesy of Jennifer & Lee Roeser from their Bishop Mule Days Program archives)
   

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new 07/21

Barbara Langston writes concerning Mule Days:

Just for fun here's a tiny bit of Mule Days history, from just one of the many first participants.
Lona and Gene Burkhart put my ex-husband and me in their string as the "dudes," or the customers being packed into the mountains.

They had been in a lot of parades and were very meticulous about cleaning and polishing their tack and grooming their animals. It was interesting to see the difference of the ones who had only "worked" their animals - they weren't washed, and some not even brushed. But ready for work!

Gene forgot to put us on his entry form as the dudes, and as we went by the announcer's booth, he read off who was who from which pack station, and then looked up and saw us.

Hegot kind of flustered and said into the microphone, "And here come some others in their string, but I don't know who they are."

Like the absolute greenhorn that I was, I shouted out, "We're the dudes." The announcer looked startled, and said, "What?" So I shouted it out again. A moment of discomfort all around and he simply went on.

Boy howdy, I'll tell you what, Gene was probably about as mad as he ever got with me because you do not talk to the judges or the announcers when a parade has started. I didn't know!

So much planning went into that first little event, and yet it was little, and about half of the participants wer rather unprofessional looking. Nowadays I think it is one of the most professional and glorious parades with events following in the country.

July 2021


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new 07/21
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Louis Azevedo, who won First place on his mule in Bishop, I believe in 1969
(Photo and test courtesy of Catherine Verissimo)
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Louis Azevedo the farrier
(Photo and test courtesy of Catherine Verissimo)

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Mule Days Honored Backcountry Cooks
(All Biographies courtesy of Jennifer & Lee Roeser from their Bishop Mule Days Program archives)
2004
Irene Kritz
rolf armstrong
2005
Vernon "Tongs" Chinn (?)
campfire cook
2006
Jan Hufstutler
rolf armstrong
2007
Kim Angelus
rolf armstrong
2008
Tari Justis
rolf armstrong
2009
Karen Mitchell
rolf armstrong
2010
Lynn Wechsler
rolf armstrong
2011
Kerry Roeser Elam
rolf armstrong
2012
Susie Harms-Brown
rolf armstrong
2013
Tess Anne Moran
rolf armstrong
2014
Kathy Bancroft
rolf armstrong
2015
none
2016
none
 
2017
Marye Roeser
rolf armstrong
2018
Susan Jefferson-Bobb
rolf armstrong

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ronald regan
1974 Grand Marshall - Governor Ronald Regan

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Mule Days History
acrobat

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1974 Bishop Mule Days Brochure
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2004 Bishop Mule Days
Irene kritz
Irene Kritz
L/R: Jan Huffstutler, Irene Kritz, Amber Steele

irene kritz
Irene Kritz and Norman (Nori) Livermore III
Per Irene: "This picture with Norrie was around 1967. We are near Big Whitney Meadows on a Livermore family trip where we went clear to Mineral King then deaheaded the stock back. I am working on a real low rock table and Norrie is kneeling so he could get low enough that we could talk."

irene kritz

Irene Kritz - Front



roeser family
The Roeser Family
L/R: Lou Roeser, Leslie Englehart, Kerry Roeser, Marye Roeser, Maryl Roeser, Jennifer Roeser, Lee Roeser



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45th Annual Bishop Mule Days - 2014
mwpt
Bishop Pack Outfitters - Owened and Operated by Mike Morgan
(Can you believe that Mike spelled Whitney incorrectly?!)

bishop pack outfitter
L to R: Mitchel Thomas and Kyler Hanson

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bishop pack outfitter
Mitchel Thomas


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Mike Morgan and Eva Jean Bunyard


Kathy Bankcroft - Backcountry Cook 2014
bishop pack outfitter

L to R: Loren Joseph, Cindy ?, Kathy Bancroft - Backcountry Cook of the Year, Regan Littlefield, Mallory Watterson, Rozalynn Bancroft, Harmey Bancroft
On horseback to the rear of the wagon are Eva Jean Bunyard and Mike Morgan

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L to R: Regan Littlefield, Mallory Watterson, Rozalynn Bancroft (baby), Harmey Bancroft

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BEST FRIEND OF MULE DAYS
Ernest Kinney
Western Artist
ernest kinney
ernst kinney


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(All Biographies and Photos courtesy of Jennifer & Lee Roeser from their Bishop Mule Days Program archives)



YEAR

Most Honored Packer

Best Friend of the Packers

1971

-

Vic Yarbro

"Tennessee"
Boot Repairman Deluxe
Vic's Shoe Repair, Bishop
vic yarbro
1972
-
Todd Watkins
Publisher, Chalfant Press
tod watkins
1973
Arch Mahan
Supervisor, Mono County
Former Owner of
Red's Meadow Pack Station
arch mahan
"Doc" Joe Hird
Bishop Vet
joe hird
1974
Art Schober
Schobers Pack Station
1934 - 1974

art schober
Joe Thomas
Manager, Bank of America, Bishop
joe thomas
1975
Elmer Jensen
Former owner of Frontier Pack Outfit
June Lake
Fallon, Nevada
elmer jensen
Blake Jones
Guide and Manager
of
Inyo-Mono Sports Shows
blake jones
1976
Henry Olivas
Ex-Packer
henry olivas
Henry Thorne
Formerly with the USPS
henry thorne
1977
Bruce Morgan
Former Co-Owner and Operator
Mt. Whitney Pack Trains
1950 - 1961
bruce morgan
-
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1978
Lee Summers
Retired Pack Station Owner
lee summers
Paul Williamson
Owens Valley Milling
paul williamson
1979
Glen Burns
Packer
glen burns
Denton Sonke
Bishop Chamber
denton sonke
1980
Russ & Anne Johnson
Ex-Packers
russ and anne johnson
Scott Keathley
scott keathley
1981
Slim & Jeri Nivens
?
-
1982
Lou & Marye Roeser
lou and myre
Russ Rawson
russ rawson
1983
Dudley & Alice Boothe
dudley & alice booth
Phil Pister
phil pister
1984
Clarence Purnel (photo to the right)
East Side
Owner & Operator of Jordan Hot Springs
1941-1964

John E. "Shorty" Cunningham

West Side
Partner with his brother Tom in the
High Sierra Pack Station for 19 years
President of Western High Sierra Packers

clarence purnel
Tom Whear
District Ranger
tom whear
1985
Johnny Jones
Owner & Operator
Johnny Jones Pack Trains
johnny jones
Chuck Hugelman
Manager Bishop Bank of America
chuck hugleman
1986
Reno Sardella
Owner & Operator
Kenedy Meadows, Cherry Valley, and
Kerrick Corral Pack Stations
reno sardella
Zane G. Smith, Jr.
Regional Forester for the
Pacific Southwest Region
zane smith
1987
Bart Ross
Owner & Operator of
Mineral King Pack Station from the
beginning up until 1939

bart ross
Marvin Jensen
Sequoia/Kings Canyon Nation Park
Park Ranger
marvin jensen
1988
Bill & Marilyn DeCarteret
Owner & Operator of
Mineral King Pack Station from
1947 - 1973
Bill & Louise Kelsey
Kelseys Sierra Studios
bill & louise kelsey
1989
John Ketcham







Ken Wortley
john ketcham

Ken wortley

Kenneth Chichester
ken chichester
1990
Wilfred Partridge
wilfred partridge
Bob Ferrey
bob ferrey
1991
Walter Castle
walter castle
Mickey Jarvis
mickey jarvis
1992
Earl Pascoe
Owner & Operator
Earl Pascoe Pack Station
1922 - xxxx











Norman "Ike" Livermore
Former Owner Mt. Whitney Pack Trains
1946 - 1961

earl pascoe

ike livermore

Bill Draves
Professional Farrier
Founder of Sierra Equestrian Schools
bill draves
1993
Thomas Jefferson
Former Owner Mt. Whitney Pack Trains
1964 - 1972
tom jefferson
Walter Svetich
U.S. Forest Service - Inyo National Forest
walter svetich
1994
Lona Tankersley Burkhart
Owner/Operator Sequoia/Kings Pack Trains
1956 - xxxx
?
Carl Lind
Veterinarian, Bishop
Worked with "Doc" Joe Hird
?
1995

Ranger Bob Bandy

Wilderness Patrol Supervisor
Yosemite National Park
?
-
1996
Charles Morgan
Former Owner Mt. Whitney Pack Trains
1964 - 1972
charles morgan
-
1997
Walt Schober
?
walt schober
-
1998
Kenneth Partridge
Cattleman and Operator of
Glacier Lodge Pack Station
ken partridge
-
1999
Vernon Morris
Packer for the Curry Company - Yosemite
1938 - 1961
vernon morris
-
2000
Fred Burke
Muleskinner for the Army
Took 300 mules across the Apennines








Harold Wells
Packer for Reds Meadows and Art Schober
fred burke

harold wells

Marily Reese
Forest Service Ranger
M.H. Reese Consulting Service
?
2001
Willie Ritts
Owner & Operator of
Kennedy Meadows Pack Station
willie ritts
Stan Matlick
Cook, Guide, & Private Trip Organizer
for Many High Sierra Pack Stations
stan matlick
2002
Carol Cole
Owner & Operator of
Pine Creek Pack Station: 1972 - 1982

carol cole
Bob Haight
Director of California Department of Fish and Game
NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
2003
Bob Barrett
Yosemite NP Packer for 22 Years
bob barrett
Jim Lackey
Jim Lackey Insurance
Licensed Auctioneer
jim lackey
2004
Bart Cranney
Owner & Operator
Levitt Meadow Pack Station
1973 - present
NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
Jan Almquist
Attorney
Jan Almquist
2005
Don & Phylis Bedel
Managed Wolverton Meadow Pack Station
Operated DeCarteret Pack Trains
Owner Mineral King Pack Station - 38 years
Operator Kennedy Meadows Pack Station
don & phylis bedel
Dr. Bill Carter
Optometrist - Bishop
dr. bill carter
2006
Jim Harvey
Manages all of the Livestock for
Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks

jim harvey
Sam Glasser
U.S. Forest Service Trail Maintenance
sam glasser
2007
Ike Livermore
Owner & Operator of
Mt. Whitney Pack Trains: 1946 -1972
Owner - Monache Pack Station
Contractor for Sierra Club High Trips from 1946 - 1972
Treasurer - Pacific Lumber Company
State Secretary of Resources - California

Instrumental in stopping U.S. Forest Service Highway 100 which would have bisected the John Muir Trail near Mammoth.

ike livermore
Dick Noles (Left)
Founder & Chairman of
Advocates for Access to Public Lands
dick noles
2008
Bart Topping
Organized rides for Frontier Pack Trains and
McGee Creek Pack Station
Co-Owner and Manager of Minarets Pack Station - 1991 - present
bart topping
Pete Korngiebel
Printer in Bishop
Chalfant Printing and
Community Printing & Publishing
pete korngiebel
2009
John & Jenise Cunningham
Owners & Operators of High Sierra Pack Station: 1968 - present
NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
Carl Lind
Veterinarian, Bishop
carl lind
2010
Lee & Jennifer Roeser
Owners & Operators of
McGee Creek Pack Station: 1988 - present

Lee is both a farrier and a saddle maker, making not only his own, but other pack outfits saddles.

lee and jennifer roeser
Linda & Howard Arcularius
Owens Valley Pioneers since 1877
Long Valley Ranchers
Inyo Country Supervisor since 1993
linda and howard arcularius
2011
Jay Barnes
Owner & Operator of Mather Pack Station which was begun by his dad in 1929
jay barnes
Ann Lange
Works with the National Forest Service in documenting and changing their trail inventory.
ann lange
2012
Craig London
Owner & Operator of Rock Creek Pack Station and Cottonwood Pack Station
craig london
Backcountry Horsemen
A group of concerned men and women dedicated to the gentle use of California trails and backcountry. Formerly known as the High Sierra Stock Users Association, the became the Backcountry Horsemen of America in 1986.
NO PHOTO
2013
Phil & Jamie Hirnshall
Farrier since 1976
Phil & Jamie have been part of the Rock Creek Pack Station crew since 1976.
phil and jamie hirnshall
Walker Vick
Part of Yosemite National Park's horse and mule operations since 1981.
Former manager of Tuolumne Meadows Stable and Pack Station.
NO PHOTO
2014
Ralph Wass
Packer with the National Park Service
Packer at Cedar Grove Pack Station
NO PHOTO
Pete Watercott
Musician, Songwriter, Story-Teller, Cook, Conservationist, and Bishop Businessman.
pete watercott
2015
Michael Morse
Packer and Trail Crew Laborer for the Forest Service.
Mike created the Forest Service Center for Excellence in the Pacific Region.
michael morse
Gary McCoy
Packer for Red's Meadow Pack Station & assistant on Bob Tanner's 20 mule team.
gary mccoy
2016
Matt Bloom
Packer at the Kennedy Meadows Resort and Pack Station.
matt bloom
-
2017
Bobby Tanner
Packer and Owner Red's Meadow Pack Station.
-
2018
Dennis Winchester
Packer and Owner Cottonwood Pack Station.
dennis Winchester
Wayne & Vasie Tex
Mule Days competitor and judge
wayne and vasie tex

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John Muir - circa 1891
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Packer Allie Robinson and Norm Hall, Chef
(Photo courtesy of Jennifer & Lee Roeser from their Bishop Mule Days Program archives.)


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49th Annual Bishop Mule Days - 2018
backcountry cook


susan jefferson
Susan Jefferson-Bobb
backcountry cook

susan jefferson bobb
Susan Jefferson-Bobb - Favorite Backcountry Cook 2018

L to R: ?, Susan Jefferson-Bobb - Favorite Backcountry Cook, ?

mike morgan
Mike Morgan and his string of Bishop Outfitters' mules


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This page was last updated on 25 July 2021