6 day loop in Ansel Adams Wilderness and x-country question
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 8:10 am
My fellow 50 yr-old hiking partner (1st time in the Sierra) and I (did Vogelsang loop, also TM to Sunrise Cloud's rest and out via Tenaya Lake previously) have settled on a 6 day hike in the AAW area in mid-September (originally planning a hike from TM to Agnew Meadows but transport logistics for getting back to the car seemed complicated due to limited shuttle service after labor day and we will be pressed for time heading back). We will have 2 acclimatization days and night in the Saddlebag-20 lakes basin area before starting out on our backpacking in the area. We have one question regarding how-where to take the x-country route from Garnet lake to 1000 Island lake (I've seen descriptions here for doing it the other way - 1000 Islands to Garnet via a low saddle) but am not clear where we should be and head if going the other way. Our x-country skills are limited but this seemed very doable. Here is the full itinerary - any comments or suggestions are welcome as always.
Note: Not bringing fishing gear and like being able to stay 2 nights in the same area to savour and explore settings and environs without full packs.
Days 1-2: We plan to take the River Trail to Ediza (permits already in hand) and camp there 2 nights (day 2 would be dayhikes to Iceberg, Cecile or Nydiver). From everyone's posts, sounds like a marvellous area.
Days 3-4: JMT to Garnet Lake and then x-country to 1000 Islands (if we can figure out the route!) Plan to camp on the north shore toward the fluer-de-lis shaped cove suggested by others. Dayhiking the next day would include heading over to Donahue pass and back.
Day 5. Thinking of heading up and then back on the PCT and maybe camping somewhere along the way but not clear where we could do that given general lack of water in the area.
Day 6. Short day with early exit -- back out on the PCT towards the car at Agnew and drive back to Vegas via DValley. Flight back to the east coast (Canada) the next morning... sniff sniff.
Many thanks!
Note: Not bringing fishing gear and like being able to stay 2 nights in the same area to savour and explore settings and environs without full packs.
Days 1-2: We plan to take the River Trail to Ediza (permits already in hand) and camp there 2 nights (day 2 would be dayhikes to Iceberg, Cecile or Nydiver). From everyone's posts, sounds like a marvellous area.
Days 3-4: JMT to Garnet Lake and then x-country to 1000 Islands (if we can figure out the route!) Plan to camp on the north shore toward the fluer-de-lis shaped cove suggested by others. Dayhiking the next day would include heading over to Donahue pass and back.
Day 5. Thinking of heading up and then back on the PCT and maybe camping somewhere along the way but not clear where we could do that given general lack of water in the area.
Day 6. Short day with early exit -- back out on the PCT towards the car at Agnew and drive back to Vegas via DValley. Flight back to the east coast (Canada) the next morning... sniff sniff.
Many thanks!