Hi Bob, this is my 49th year of hiking in the Sierras and I have encountered many packer sites. I always stay out of them since, well, from my perspective, they have gone to great lengths to establish them....elaborate fire pits, nice log benches, fire grills, sometimes cupboards... well you get my drift. In this case, I have stopped at this particular site the last 5 or so years and a few prior to that. It's small in that it really doesn't support horses or mules. The fire pit, believe me was the same as I left it on my October trip last year. The fire pit had not been used. And yes, there were flies around the horse manure..... Don't laugh, but I make it a game to determine how long ago a horse has been through a particular area. The logs in question were small, nothing large.
I am a trooper when it comes to horse drives and all, having participated on 2 consecutive Bob Tanner horse drives out of Bishop to Mammoth. And I have learned my lesson on mules...they kick, they kick when they walk, when they run...Bob Tanner (on our first night out at a campfire....by the way, great guy, great stories on John Wayne), told me back in 2003, if you find yourself in the middle of mules, "get out."
I understand where you are coming from, however, the site is really not appropriate. There is a site a couple miles down the Kern that has fences, pastures, campsites and all.
And, my daughter has a horse..... Bob, don't be offended, I love the smell of horse manure. I've done my share of cleaning out stalls.
Take care
Paul
