Ansel Adams Wilderness & Thousand Island Lake

The mountains are calling & I must go…

The first attempt was back in 2018 fall. That trip started at the Rush Creek trail head, started fine but we spent one night at Gem Lake, and returned due to thunder storms, snow and hail.

The second attempt in 2019 did not even get as far as getting to the trail head. It was planned for spring last year. Unusually high snowfall resulted in the area covered in snow. Tioga Pass and Sonora Pass roads still closed. I landed up going to the Desolation Wilderness instead, which was a spectacular trip in its own right.

This time I got my permit back in January. Nearly thwarted by COVID shutdowns and injuries, luck was on my side and successfully made it to Thousand Island Lake. The jewel of the Sierra is an understatement. Thousand Island Lake, Garnet, Ruby, Emerald, Ediza and Iceberg lakes, each tucked in glacial cirques at varying altitudes had their own unique charm. Add the towering Banner, Ritter peaks, and the Minarets as the backdrop. The region was surreal.

Route summary:

Counter clockwise on map, Agnew Meadows- Pacific Crest Trail- Thousand Island Lake- John Muir Trail- right turn on Shadow Creek trail- Lake Ediza- Iceberg Lake (off the bottom edge of the map)- return Shadow Creek trail- right on River trail- Agnew Meadows

Day 1: 8.5 miles from Agnew Meadows to Thousand Island Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail.

PCT near Agnew Meadows — Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak in the background, destination for night 1

Wild flowers on the trail…

Metamorphic sedimentary & volcanic rocks (pendant rocks of the sierra batholith)

Shadow lake, Shadow Creek falls, in glacially carved hanging valley, and the Minarets in the background. I learnt that Banner, Ritter and the Minarets all part of the Ritter range are volcanic remnants eroded by glaciers of the last ice age

High Sierra meadows and Badger Lakes near Agnew Pass before the climb to Thousand Island Lake

Approaching Thousand Island Lake — Banner Peak towering behind

First view of Thousand Island Lake (at 9,800 ft. above sea level) absolutely gorgeous

Day 2… Leaving Thousand Island Lake to Lake Ediza below the Minarets, another 8.5mile hike

Morning sun, half moon, camp site…

View out of tent… morning rays hitting the north east face of Banner Peak

Emerald, Ruby, Garnet Lakes- hike along the John Muir Trail: Encountered many backpackers some through hiking to Mt. Whitney

Emerald Lake

Ruby Lake- a charming beauty

Garnet Lake, fed by the snow fields of Ritter and Banner

Trail took us up and down glacial valleys, final descent to shadow creek followed by a hike up to Ediza Lake. Volcanic Ridge East in the background.

Leaving the JMT, hiking up to Ediza along Shadow Creek

Ediza Lake, home for night #2

Set up camp on a rock outcrop and headed for a day hike to Iceberg lake sitting below the Minarets about 2 miles away and 500 feet higher

Climbing out of Ediza

Approaching Iceberg

The Minarets!

High Sierra luxury — hot, refreshing meal to end the day and retire…

Day 3… Leave Ediza and hike back to Agnew Meadows via Shadow Creek Trail

Down to Shadow Lake

Redwoods…

San Joaquin river crossing, followed by the last couple of miles back to Agnew Meadows

Agnew Meadows

At the end of 48 hours we hiked about 28 miles, climbed about 3500ft and spent most of the time between 9000 and 1000ft in elevation. It was more than worth the 3 year wait, and I will come back and explore more of this wilderness. The images and the experience will remain etched in my memory. In these challenging times, it definitely reminds me that humans are not more than a speck in this vast natural and geological grandeur. Grateful to my hiking partner and the wonderful philosophical conversations that were apt for the setting. My love and gratitude to Rekha for taking care of things on the home front, while I disappeared for my much needed 3 day retreat!