Trip Report - Ansel Adams Wilderness sept 12-18
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:21 pm
First of all, a big thank you to the people who provided advice and suggestions for this trip - it would not have been as fun or interesting without your input. I had also promised a trip report, so here it is!
My hiking friend and I flew into Vegas from Montreal, got the rental car and made our way to Lee Vining in time to catch the sunset at Mono Lake.
Got used to the altitude by day hiking up to Galor Lakes and then to Mono Pass and Sardine Lakes. Sky was blue and there was no smoke to be seen or smelled. Nice.
Drove to Mammoth Lakes and headed into Ansel Adams Wilderness. Started off on the River trail to Ediza lake. Very nice spot to spend two nights!
Next morning we saw three coyotes scamper by our camp which was really cool. As suggested, we dayhiked to Iceberg Lake, Cecile Lake, and as well as to a great spot overlooking Minaret Lakes.
One highlight was finding a large iced snow cornice overhanging one of the lakes and walking deep under it -- amazing to be surrounded by 6 foot thick ice with a view on the lake and the Minarets.
Also did some cross-country exploring and came back to the tent in time for sun down, all rather exhausted. Next day we headed to Garnet Lake. And here a mystery occurred that I hope one of you can help elucidate. We took the River Trail back to the junction with the JM trail and heded up to Garnet. Once there, we walked over a small wooden bridge, followed the trail for about 1/4 mile, and (as suggested to us by one poster) headed down on a side trail that took us along the north side of Garnet (or what we thought was Garnet). We followed the trail all the way to the end of the lake, looked for the saddle which would take us to Thousand Island Lake, and headed over. Here is the view of the lake we are about to circumvent on its north side, which we thought was Garnet Lake (but was not). For the life of me, I cannot figure out where we were.
My hiking friend and I flew into Vegas from Montreal, got the rental car and made our way to Lee Vining in time to catch the sunset at Mono Lake.
Got used to the altitude by day hiking up to Galor Lakes and then to Mono Pass and Sardine Lakes. Sky was blue and there was no smoke to be seen or smelled. Nice.
Drove to Mammoth Lakes and headed into Ansel Adams Wilderness. Started off on the River trail to Ediza lake. Very nice spot to spend two nights!
Next morning we saw three coyotes scamper by our camp which was really cool. As suggested, we dayhiked to Iceberg Lake, Cecile Lake, and as well as to a great spot overlooking Minaret Lakes.
One highlight was finding a large iced snow cornice overhanging one of the lakes and walking deep under it -- amazing to be surrounded by 6 foot thick ice with a view on the lake and the Minarets.
Also did some cross-country exploring and came back to the tent in time for sun down, all rather exhausted. Next day we headed to Garnet Lake. And here a mystery occurred that I hope one of you can help elucidate. We took the River Trail back to the junction with the JM trail and heded up to Garnet. Once there, we walked over a small wooden bridge, followed the trail for about 1/4 mile, and (as suggested to us by one poster) headed down on a side trail that took us along the north side of Garnet (or what we thought was Garnet). We followed the trail all the way to the end of the lake, looked for the saddle which would take us to Thousand Island Lake, and headed over. Here is the view of the lake we are about to circumvent on its north side, which we thought was Garnet Lake (but was not). For the life of me, I cannot figure out where we were.