- Located between Yosemite National Park and the John Muir Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness boasts 251,533 acres of open spaces.
- Explore the wilderness on 349 miles of hiking trails, or spend the day fishing.
- Visit the famous Devils Postpile National Monument to see the polished basalt spires that give the monument its name, as well as 101 foot Rainbow Falls.
Overview
The Ansel Adams Wilderness, located in California's Sierra Nevada, contains over 251,533 acres of land. It is bordered by the John Muir Wilderness and Yosemite National Park. The terrain ranges in elevation from 3,500 feet to 13,157 feet. At the areas center lies the Ritter Range , which includes high alpine peaks such as Mount Ritter and Banner Peak.
The park is popular with outdoor enthusiasts, as it contains 349 miles of hiking trails, as well as technical rock climbing and fishing. The area also includes the popular attraction Devils Postpile National Monument.
Location & Information
The Ansel Adams Wilderness lies within both the Sierra and Inyo National Forests. It is bordered by Yosemite National Park in the north and northwest, and the John Muir Wilderness in the south.
INYO NATIONAL FOREST
351 Pacu Lane
Suite 200
Bishop, Ca 93514
Phone: 760-873-2400
Activities
Devils Postpile
Devils Postpile National Monument includes not only the unique basalt rock formations that give the monument its name, but also contains 101 foot rainbow falls, as well as abundant camping, hiking, and fishing.
Hiking
The Ansel Adams Wilderness contains over 349 miles of hiking trails, including sections of the epic John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trails.
- John Muir Trail
Hike a 23 mile section of this famous 215 mile trail. On your way, pass landmarks such as Thousand Island Lake, Rush Lake and Banner Peak. - Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail begins its journey across the Ansel Adams Wilderness at Donohue Pass, exiting the park 4 miles northwest of Devils Postpile.
Rock Climbing
The Minarets are well known for their technical rock climbing. Consider hiring a local guide service to ensure a safe and enjoyable climbing experience.
Fishing
The Ansel Adams boasts excellent stream and lake fishing. Angler’s can expect to catch rainbow, golden, brown, and brook trout. To access the only stream in California where you can find brook, rainbow, brown, and golden trout in the same place, head to the middle fork of the San Joaquin river off Road 203 near the Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort.
Additional fishing holes include the stream between Shadow and Ediza Lake, where angler's can expect 6-8 inch brook trout, and Emerald Lake, which contains 9-10 inch rainbow trout. These lakes can both be accessed from Agnew Meadows Trailhead.
Hire a guide to get insider access to the most productive locations.
