Early Autumn in the Ansel Adams Wilderness

[ProCaliberTraveler]

I had wanted to see Thousand Island Lake for myself for a few years. This lake is located in the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada and after seeing it for myself, I learned that pictures don't do it justice. This area is spectacular! My research beforehand told me I'd hike roughly 14.5 miles round trip with about 3,600 feet of elevation gain. By the time I returned to the trailhead, I had walked 19.5 miles with probably 4,000 feet of elevation gain, making this the longest and most difficult day hike of my life. You can imagine the immense sense of accomplishment I felt afterwards. Of course, as has been the theme of my hikes this year, I made a mistake by taking the incorrect fork about 2.5 miles into the day.

The fork I took early in the day led me around the shore of Gem Lake, one of a pair of reservoirs along the trail. I took this shot later in the day from the part of the trail I should have taken earlier in the day. Considering this section of trail descends 1,500 feet in only about a mile, I'm sort of glad I missed the correct fork in the morning.

This shot shows the dam that created Gem Lake.

Fall color around Thousand Island Lake was pleasing too. The John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail run along the lake, so I encountered plenty of backpackers.

 

[AlanLichty]

Jaw dropping views in all of these scenes. That's a pretty amazing day hike! My feet hurt just thinking about trying to cover that much ground in a day even if it was level. If I had to pick a favorite it would be the last one although they are quite amazing.

The first image appears to be tilting slightly to the left judging by the waterline.

 

[ProCaliberTraveler]

Jaw dropping views in all of these scenes. That's a pretty amazing day hike! My feet hurt just thinking about trying to cover that much ground in a day even if it was level. If I had to pick a favorite it would be the last one although they are quite amazing.

The first image appears to be tilting slightly to the left judging by the waterline.

Thanks, Alan. My feet were protesting near the end, but it was my hips that gave me the most trouble that night and the day after.

 

[Trent Watts]

What a wonderful record of your amazing hike. Your perseverance to complete the walk really paid off.

 

[Michael13]

Thanks for taking us along on your adventures! I like the last one best for the range of colors.

 

[BlackRockArt]

I had wanted to see Thousand Island Lake for myself for a few years. This lake is located in the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada and after seeing it for myself, I learned that pictures don't do it justice. This area is spectacular! My research beforehand told me I'd hike roughly 14.5 miles round trip with about 3,600 feet of elevation gain. By the time I returned to the trailhead, I had walked 19.5 miles with probably 4,000 feet of elevation gain, making this the longest and most difficult day hike of my life. You can imagine the immense sense of accomplishment I felt afterwards. Of course, as has been the theme of my hikes this year, I made a mistake by taking the incorrect fork about 2.5 miles into the day.

View attachment 76365

The fork I took early in the day led me around the shore of Gem Lake, one of a pair of reservoirs along the trail. I took this shot later in the day from the part of the trail I should have taken earlier in the day. Considering this section of trail descends 1,500 feet in only about a mile, I'm sort of glad I missed the correct fork in the morning.

View attachment 76366

This shot shows the dam that created Gem Lake.

View attachment 76367

Fall color around Thousand Island Lake was pleasing too. The John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail run along the lake, so I encountered plenty of backpackers.

View attachment 76371

Michael, gorgeous view.

Oliver