Western Ansel Adams Wilderness TR
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:34 pm
I took off early the 21st to go into the AAW and head up towards
thru Bench Canyon and over Blue Lake Pass.
Unfortunately the northern side of the pass had way to much snow
and I didnt bring and ice axe nor crampons.
Even Harriet Lakes uppermost lake was still frozen with snow on it and
the other middle size lake was 1/2 frozen.
The other lakes were thawed in the distance as I could see from the
ridge.
I went in from the Granite Creek Trailhead and made it to the the mouth
of Bench Canyon where there is a nice camp spot.
The next day it was up to Blue Lake, the lack of flowers was
dissappointing to say the least in an area which is known for its flower
gardens.
I was suprised to say the least to find as much snow on the northern
side of the pass with triple digit temps daily.
I then climbed the ridge to the west to take a look at Harriet Lakes and
you read allready know what I saw.
Then it was down and then up the last peak to the east which had a
great view of Twin Lakes and Ritter Lakes.
I wasnt going to go down Bench Canyon again so I chose to descend
the creek that parallels the North Fork to its west.
A nice small lake starts off the descent into the canyon with pretty little
meadows ,but very few flowers.
Everything was going smooth with about 3 hrs of sun left when the
canyon narrowed into an unpassable gorge.
Climbing back up was not a good option because of a cliff that was
difficult enough to down climb.
So I decided to head east towards the North Fork but ran into some
class 3-4 cliffs and ended up down climbing some pretty difficult
portions at times. Got down to the North Fork and a campspot by
8:15pm.
Here is where I had to make a decision whether I was going to hike
back towards Isberg and then down towards the Lyell Fork area
which was my original area to visit or explore the AAW area.
So the next morning I headed down the North Fork to Iron Creek
where I headed cross-country towards Iron Lake.
The start was easy with minimal climbing involved, then the middle
section has an extremely steep section that needs to be approached on
the creeks northern side otherwise youll be fighting thru alot of bush.
Once pass this section you enter a basin where the views of peaks to
the east just open up right in front of you.
There is one more climb up to the smaller lake before Iron Lake which
is a little steep but not to long.
Both lakes are beautiful. The smaller was still frozen with a samll glacier
behing it. Iron Lake was thawed and also has a glacier behind it,
making for a dramatic backdrop.
The views from Iron Lake(small hill on westside of lake) are so vast
to the south, west and north that they alone are worth the trip.
I visited this area back in the early 70's but being a young teen I didnt
have the appreciation of such beauty at that age.
I opted to take the trail back towards Hemlock Crossing thinking I
could use the freeway system (trails) to get to another area of interest
and since the trail passes thru several meadows maybe Id run into
the flower show of spring that was eluding me.
Boy was I in for a shock! Not only did this 11 mile hike take almost
8 hrs, but the lack of flowers was depressing.
The trail was in horendous shape. Signs were down(I erected 3 of them
I hope the NFS will be sending a check soon), tons of deadfall and
avalanche debris, over growth that made finding the trail very
difficult in most places(cross-country would have been quicker).
I wanted to see flowers so badly that I let it supersede my first and
logical choice of descend Iron Creek.
Another thing was the lack of water. There was no water to be found
for a 6 mile section which in 100F temps is not a good combination.
The next day was spendt next to 2 waterfalls one of which was very
unique.
The next day to my last campsite I meet a woman with a dog who
was camping near Hemlock Crossing. They took a day off because
there dog needed rest.
I informed here of the conditions of the trail coming up and they opted
to change there plans to go to the Mammoth area.
So I guess coming the way I did no mather how miserable the conditions
were did have its purpose.
On my hike towards the trailhead I did find some decent flower gardens
but I guess the lack of winter has really taken its toll on the area
this year. Ill have more photos latter.
This is Iron Lake.
View north from Iron Lake.
From the peak looking down at Twin Lakes.
thru Bench Canyon and over Blue Lake Pass.
Unfortunately the northern side of the pass had way to much snow
and I didnt bring and ice axe nor crampons.
Even Harriet Lakes uppermost lake was still frozen with snow on it and
the other middle size lake was 1/2 frozen.
The other lakes were thawed in the distance as I could see from the
ridge.
I went in from the Granite Creek Trailhead and made it to the the mouth
of Bench Canyon where there is a nice camp spot.
The next day it was up to Blue Lake, the lack of flowers was
dissappointing to say the least in an area which is known for its flower
gardens.
I was suprised to say the least to find as much snow on the northern
side of the pass with triple digit temps daily.
I then climbed the ridge to the west to take a look at Harriet Lakes and
you read allready know what I saw.
Then it was down and then up the last peak to the east which had a
great view of Twin Lakes and Ritter Lakes.
I wasnt going to go down Bench Canyon again so I chose to descend
the creek that parallels the North Fork to its west.
A nice small lake starts off the descent into the canyon with pretty little
meadows ,but very few flowers.
Everything was going smooth with about 3 hrs of sun left when the
canyon narrowed into an unpassable gorge.
Climbing back up was not a good option because of a cliff that was
difficult enough to down climb.
So I decided to head east towards the North Fork but ran into some
class 3-4 cliffs and ended up down climbing some pretty difficult
portions at times. Got down to the North Fork and a campspot by
8:15pm.
Here is where I had to make a decision whether I was going to hike
back towards Isberg and then down towards the Lyell Fork area
which was my original area to visit or explore the AAW area.
So the next morning I headed down the North Fork to Iron Creek
where I headed cross-country towards Iron Lake.
The start was easy with minimal climbing involved, then the middle
section has an extremely steep section that needs to be approached on
the creeks northern side otherwise youll be fighting thru alot of bush.
Once pass this section you enter a basin where the views of peaks to
the east just open up right in front of you.
There is one more climb up to the smaller lake before Iron Lake which
is a little steep but not to long.
Both lakes are beautiful. The smaller was still frozen with a samll glacier
behing it. Iron Lake was thawed and also has a glacier behind it,
making for a dramatic backdrop.
The views from Iron Lake(small hill on westside of lake) are so vast
to the south, west and north that they alone are worth the trip.
I visited this area back in the early 70's but being a young teen I didnt
have the appreciation of such beauty at that age.
I opted to take the trail back towards Hemlock Crossing thinking I
could use the freeway system (trails) to get to another area of interest
and since the trail passes thru several meadows maybe Id run into
the flower show of spring that was eluding me.
Boy was I in for a shock! Not only did this 11 mile hike take almost
8 hrs, but the lack of flowers was depressing.
The trail was in horendous shape. Signs were down(I erected 3 of them
I hope the NFS will be sending a check soon), tons of deadfall and
avalanche debris, over growth that made finding the trail very
difficult in most places(cross-country would have been quicker).
I wanted to see flowers so badly that I let it supersede my first and
logical choice of descend Iron Creek.
Another thing was the lack of water. There was no water to be found
for a 6 mile section which in 100F temps is not a good combination.
The next day was spendt next to 2 waterfalls one of which was very
unique.
The next day to my last campsite I meet a woman with a dog who
was camping near Hemlock Crossing. They took a day off because
there dog needed rest.
I informed here of the conditions of the trail coming up and they opted
to change there plans to go to the Mammoth area.
So I guess coming the way I did no mather how miserable the conditions
were did have its purpose.
On my hike towards the trailhead I did find some decent flower gardens
but I guess the lack of winter has really taken its toll on the area
this year. Ill have more photos latter.
This is Iron Lake.
View north from Iron Lake.
From the peak looking down at Twin Lakes.