High Sierra Hikes and Photography in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, California

Day 1: We will meet in the town of Mammoth Lakes, California at a location and time designated by the leader and then we will drive to the Pumice Flat campground (8,300 foot elevation). This campground is northwest of the town of Mammoth Lakes. At our campsite, the leader will provide the pre-trip talk and we will have dinner. 

Day 2: In the morning, we will eat breakfast, break camp, and then drive a short distance to the Agnew Meadows Packer Station. After we hand our gear to the packers, we will hike to a camp location within sight of Mount Ritter and Banner Peak and set up camp. This seven mile hike will has great views as we gain 1,000 feet of elevation. Although we will be carrying only day packs, this hike will be physically demanding. 

Days 3-5: Our hikes will range from five to eight miles and we will trek to scenic alpine lakes such as Garnet Lake and Shadow Lake. We will view the Minarets, a jagged ridge of peaks, considered one of the most impressive sights in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Each day at camp, the leader will discuss outdoor photography topics including photo composition, landscapes, and night photography. At dinner, everyone will be encouraged to discuss the day’s hike and photography subjects.  

Day 6: (final day) In the morning, we will eat breakfast, pack trail lunches and break camp. We will hike seven miles back to the Agnew Meadows Packer Station. We should reach the packer station by mid-afternoon to get our gear where the trip ends. We will pack our cars and say our goodbyes with hopes of another adventure soon. 

This trip itinerary is subject to change depending on depending on weather conditions, hikers’ abilities, and trail conditions. Participants are asked to bring a flexible attitude. 

Getting There

Our trip begins in the town of Mammoth Lakes, California on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. Participants will be provided meeting location information. 

Mammoth Lakes has a small airport with limited air service. The nearest large airports are in Reno, Nevada and Sacramento, California. Detailed driving directions will be provided to participants. The Pumice Flat campground is located northwest of Mammoth Lakes. 

Trip participants from outside of California should consider flying to one of these airports and sharing a rental car or arranging a ride with another participant. The Sierra Club prohibits trip leaders from arranging carpooling. However, to facilitate ride-sharing, we will share a participant’s contact information if the participant has granted permission.

Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

We will provide all trip meals, cooking gear, water purification, stoves, fuel, and a base camp. Participants, with leader assistance, will prepare tasty and healthy meals and help with clean-up. Lunch will typically be eaten on the trail. Any food allergies, limitations, or your vegetarian status should be indicated to the leader as far in advance of the trip as possible.  

Vegetarian diets can be accommodated. The first trip meal will be dinner at the Pumice Flat campground on the first trip day. The last trip meal will be a trail lunch on the final trip day.

Trip Difficulty

Participants should be in excellent health and hiking condition as we will carry lunch and camera gear on our daily hikes. Day hikes will be from five to eight miles at altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. The first day and last day hikes will be the most strenuous with seven mile hikes and an elevation change of 1,000 feet. Prior camping and hiking experience is required. 

Equipment and Clothing

The leader will provide a detailed packing list so participants are prepared for changing weather conditions. High Sierra weather in August is usually sunny and comfortable. However, weather conditions can quickly change. A brief afternoon thunderstorm is common. Daytime temperatures may rise to the 80s with nighttime temperatures dipping close to the 30s.

We recommend participants bring a 20-degree sleeping bag, a three-season backpacking tent, sleeping pad, waterproof jacket and pants, clothing layers for warmth (no cotton), sturdy and fully broken-in leather hiking boots with rubber lug soles, and a day pack. The day pack should be large enough to hold one’s lunch, camera, and rain gear, and ten hiking essentials.

References

Maps:

• Tom Harrison’s “Devils Postpile Minarets” map of the Ansel Adams Wilderness (tomharrisonmaps.com)
• The U.S. Forest Service’s “A Guide to the Ansel Adams Wilderness” map

Books:

• Argot, Phil, High Sierra, John Muir’s Range of Light.
• Clark, Ginny, Ansel Adams Wilderness.
• Farquhar, Francis, History of the Sierra Nevada.
• Laws, John Muir, The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada.
• Secor, R.J., High Sierra Peaks, Passes and Trails.

Conservation

We will discuss how recreational usage of the Ansel Adams Wilderness impacts the wilderness environment, wildlife, and wilderness management plans. During the trip, we will discuss and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.