Best trails in Ansel Adams Wilderness, California

Microspikes and trekking poles are highly recommended. A permit is required if you wish to stay overnight on this trail. Thousand Island Lake is one of the most beautiful points along the John Muir Trail.Show more

This challenging loop starts at Agnes Meadow and travels into the mountains on the Shadow Creek Trail. During this section you'll pass the beautiful Shadow Lake, and then continue climbing up to the striking Ediza Lake. Along the way you'll have beautiful views of Shadow Creek as well. After reaching Ediza Lake, you can either return via the way you came, or do the loop shown on this page. You'll go north on the JMT, eventually taking a right onto the PCT, returning back to Agnes Meadow. If you plan on backpacking this route and camping in the wilderness, you'll need a permit.Show more

Note: The road leading to the trailhead closes in the winter so please check with the park before visiting.Show more

This is a backpacking trip through the Ansel Adams Wilderness along the Pacific Crest Trail to Thousand Island Lake with nearby day-hikes focused around Banner Peak. Day hikes include a secluded pond with a panoramic view of Thousand Island Lake, Lake Catherine with a perfect view of the glacier between Banner Peak and Mount Ritter, and nearby Garnet Lake.Show more

Dogs are allowed in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, but are not allowed in adjacent national parks.Show more

As of June 2020, trailhead parking is closed so you will need to start at the top entrance.Show more

The Trailhead is from Walker Lake, you need to drive to the Walker Lake campground along Forrest Road 1S23. This road is a dirt road in reasonable condition. There is a nice campground at the end of the road, it will be obvious when you get there. A pit toilet is there and nice small campground if you want to spend the night before you set off. You start walking through the campground and within 50 feet on your right the trailhead takes you up immediately a small hill from which you can look down to Walker lake. You immediately start down a steep incline until you reach the bottom along the shore of Walker Lake. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. The hike up to Lower Sardine Lake takes you every upwards with nice switchbacks, but this trail is not heavily used and parts are not well maintained. Small areas are washed out, fallen trees along trail and areas of significant overgrowth of brush. You may have stream crossings. Lots of wild flowers along the trail and the pleasant scents of wild oregano liven the senses. Lower Sardine lake and to Upper Sardine is the most difficult part of the trail. Seasonally, ice and Snow cover some of the most steep sections of trail and there is lots of scree and loose rocks to navigate to get up to Upper Sardine lake. This small section after already going up 2000 feet will tax you greatly. At Upper Sardine Lake there are actually two lakes, plenty of quality campsites can be found, but the best are at the second of the two lakes which is actually Upper Sardine Lake. Great views of Mono Lake are a treat from the ridges on the east side of Upper Sardine lake (which is where the good campsites are). Upper Sardine has great quality fresh water that is constantly being fed from streams above.Show more