Hike of the Week: Ansel Adams Wilderness

Alena Nicholas hiked into the Ansel Adams Wilderness this past weekend and sent these photos of the gold to be discovered there.

To get to this area, you take a dirt road from the June Lake Loop from which two main lakes are reached: Parker and Walker. The hike to each from the dirt road takes an hour, but is well worth it, Alena reports.  Signs along the road direct hikers to the trailheads.

Refreshing aspects of these trails are the glimpses of water, trailside and in the distance. That water has nourished a lot of color in the area.

The nearby June Lake Loop is still in its early phases, so if you’re heading to the Eastern Sierra, you’ll be most satisfied by hiking up creeks and into areas where the color is best.

If you’re not up to or able to hike, head to Virginia Lakes near Conway Summit.  It’s a short drive from US 395 and you’ll find color all along the Virginia Lakes Road, the shoreline of the lakes and at nearby Dunderberg Road.

Patchy (10-50%) – June Lake Loop 

Patchy (10-50%) – Ansel Adams Wilderness – Walker Lake and Parker Lake (approaching peak)

Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Virginia Lakes Road

Patchy (10-50%) – Virginia Lakes (approaching peak)

Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Dunderberg Road