Ansel Adams Wilderness Backpack Register

Date and Time:
Sun, Aug 3, 2025; 8:00 AM (Pacific) - Thu, Aug 7, 2025  2:00 PM  (Pacific)

Organized By: SF Bay Chp Backpacking

Location: 7221 CA-158, June Lake, CA 93529, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Roger Williams
   rogerwsf@outlook.com
   (415) 601-2079
Alice Chung
   aliceysf@outlook.com
   (415) 203-4133

Our target is to spend time at Thousand Island Lake in the Ansel Adams wilderness. This is one of the most spectacular lakes in the Sierra, overshadowed by the towering peaks of Mount Ritter and Mount Banner.  Our goal is to take the shortest route to get there so we can get to the high country lakes quickly.  

We'll be leaving from the Rush Creek trailhead, near June Lake on the Eastern Sierra.  This provides a shorter and lower climb than the passes further south and enables us to get to the area we want to be in one day of hiking.  Our route will take us to Waugh Lake, and then over Island Pass (10,200') to Thousand Island Lake.  There we still stay for two nights, providing either a layover day or an opportunity for day hikes in the area.  On the fourth day, we'll start heading back via Emerald Lake, Ruby Lake, Garnet Lake and Sumit Lake to the Clark Lakes, to spend that night.  Next day, we'll descend from Agnew Pass back down to the Rush Creek trailhead.

This is a moderately-paced trip, but it is strenuous in terms of the initial climb and final descent.  We will be climbing nearly 2500' on our first day and descending rather more on our last day.  We will be hiking around 6 miles on each of our moving days.  it is a trip for experienced backpackers who are used to hiking similar distances and elevations in the Sierra.   

We have a campsite reserved near June Lake for the night before the trip.



Thousand Island Lake



Garnet Lake

Level: Strenuous(2CT)

Cost: $135

Signup Instructions: Sign up by completing the registration form. Allow the leaders a few days to review your application. The leaders may ask for additional information on your experience and fitness to ensure the trip is a match to your capabilities. You will not be confirmed on the trip until the leaders have responded directly to you.

Bring: Normal backpacking gear for a summer High Sierra trip, including all your own food.

Signup Restrictions: Our permit restricts our group size to a small number of participants.

Carpool: Carpooling is encouraged among participants as a way to increase the enjoyment of the trip and reduce impact on the environment.

Note: Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.

Cancellation Policy: Activity is held rain or shine, but may be altered due to inclement weather