Ansel Adams Wilderness

My partner and I did a two day loop near Mammoth Lakes in July. We started at Agnew Meadows and hiked the JMT up past Shadow Lake, Garnet Lake, and finally reached Thousand Island Lake for the night. We then took the PCT on the way back. The way up was quite intimite, with close-up views of the Minarets and Banner Peak across from crystal-lakes. It also had decent tree coverage and very few bugs. The way back was kind of brutal, with very little cover to protect from the sun and a ludicrous number of mosquitoes. Getting to see the rest of the valley, as well as parts of the path we had hiked the day prior, such as Shadow Lake, was well worth it though. I ended up getting a wide-brim hat and long-sleeve sun-shirt before-hand, and my ears, neck and arms have never been so unburned. Fashionable? Not quite.

Path leading up to Shadow Lake, which drains down into this waterfall.

Above Shadow Lake with Volcanic Ridge East (?) in the background.

A cute little mountain pasture sitting along the JMT between Shadow Lake and Garnet Lake.

Garnet Lake and Banner Peak.

Banner Peak and Mount Davis behind Thousand Island Lake, with our campsite too close to the water; we ended up moving it back up onto the rocks.

Fleurs!

Early sunrise.

On the PCT side of the valley now on our way back. I think the peak directly ahead in the distance is Mammoth Mountain.

Shadow Lake, Volcanic Ridge East, and Banner Peak all visible from across the valley.

It turns out we did our trip during the worst time of the year for mosquitoes. Oh well, still gorgeous!