Ansel Adams Wilderness

Activity type: Backpacking
Elevation gain at start: 7280
Length: 36 miles total
Trail type: out and back
Skill level: moderate to strenuous
Duration: 3 nights/​4 days
Top Elevation: 11,500
Total elevation gain: 7882
This hike will start you at the Rush Creek Trail at 7,280. Having climbed this trail so many times It still doesn’t get old. It’s the Labor Day w/​e so the campground was packed with RV’s. Although there were a couple of spots left for us backpackers. It was the perfect weather to hike in at 78 degrees.
First Man made lake you will encounter will be Gem Lake at 9058 ft. The condition for this lake was appalling. The water level was low and the shore around it was dry. Expect to gain 1778 ft in 5 miles to get to Gem Lake.
Alger Lakes is 7.5 miles from the intersection of Gem/​Waugh/​1000 Island. You start at 9160 ft and expect to gain 1840 ft the the very last of the three lakes.
To get to the third Alger Lake you traverse a very scenic and relatively easy narrow trail surrounded by Donohue Peak at 11 000 and Koip Peak at 12 000. We scrambled up a class 2 nameless pass to get to a lake just below Koip Peak. It was merely a bowl of alpine lake not as big as the first Alger Lake but it was beautiful with dark rocks and nobody but us. No sign of snow since it’s facing north. Although there’s plenty of sign that the lake was once big and full. Rocks were exposed. Shores were much bigger. On the climb up we saw a not so visible waterfall form the lower lakes and followed it all the way up. At 11,500 the three Alger Lakes were fully exposed. What a scene!
Alger Lakes are considered one of the most beautiful area to backpack. It boasts of one of the most beautiful canyon. Colors of green, blue, purple, red and yellow will play a trick on youR mind. I could swear I was in the Grand Canyon. Between the two canyons you will be able to get a glimpse of June lake resort.
This is a very difficult hike with a lot of steep switchback climbs for miles and miles. Although the reward in the end and on the way in is worth it’s weight in whatever precious metal you can think of.
This is a very windy area. It may run 78 – 80 degrees during the day but the wind is chilled ice at 15 – 20 miles an hour. You. Will. Get. Cold! At night the wind is even worse. So pack some warm but light clothing and secure your tent.
But this is one of my most rewarding trip. Awesome! #backpacking rocks # getoffyourbutt #getoffmybutt #11 500 #koip peak12000.