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The Ansel Adams Wilderness is one of the best-kept secrets of the High Sierra. Located on the southern border of Yosemite National Park, the Ansel Adams Wilderness has mile upon mile of sweeping granite ridges, spectacular vistas, wildflower-strewn meadows and a lifetime of fishing possibilities in hundreds of sparkling high mountain lakes. The pack stock carries all of the gear to our camp along a scenic lake, leaving you to hike unburdened deep into this pristine wilderness area. We’ll spend our days exploring this rich mountain environment, via established on and off-trail routes. There’s even the option of a peak ascent of one of the 10,000+ ft peaks making up the southern border of Yosemite!
2024
2025
Pricing
2024: $2295 per person
Price based on shared hotel occupancy
Single Room Supplement:
Requested $255, Forced $128
Explore Custom Trip Options
Check in to the Pines Resort on beautiful Bass Lake anytime after 4pm. Meet your guide and group at 6pm in the main lobby for a short meet-and-greet and trip orientation. Dinner tonight is on your own at one of the many local restaurants.
After an early breakfast on your own (there is a nice bakery in the Pines village), we’ll meet you at 8am to drive to the nearby trailhead (7,600’). The drive, which takes about an hour, is your responsibility to and from the trailhead. While hiking, you’ll carry just a day-pack with some water, a camera, etc. We will hike approximately 6 miles into a centrally located lake where we will make basecamp.
6 miles, Elevation: +1709’/ -322′
Today your guide(s) will lead a hike through the pristine upper lakes basin via established on- and off-trail routes. Exact destinations and distance vary depending on the preferences of the group members. The guides excel at customizing the itinerary to meet the preferences of the group. The day ends with swimming at our lakeside camp and stargazing.
Varies by trip 1-6 miles, Elevation varies
After a hearty breakfast prepared by your guide(s) we’ll set out again to explore the surrounding area. An optional summit hike to one of the nearby 10,000’+ peaks that make up the southern border of Yosemite National Park is a possibility. Also day hikes to other nearby alpine lakes with great fishing, swimming & photo opportunities are possible, depending on your interest.
Varies by trip 1-6 miles, Elevation varies
After a leisurely morning we’ll bid farewell to our cozy camp and make out way back to the trailhead. Expect a 4pm departure from the high country.
6 miles, Elevation: +322’/ -1709′
What's Included
Accommodations
- 1st night’s stay in Pines Resort in Bass Lake
- 3 nights of wilderness tent camping (permits included)
Gear
- All group gear including stoves, cookware, water filters, group first aid kit, etc.
- Personal gear provided by request: daypacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, and tents
Food
- Starting with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with lunch on Day 5
- Backcountry gourmet meals including trail snacks
- Hot tea or coffee served each morning
A Few More Notes
Travel & Logistics
This trip begins and ends in Bass Lake, CA. Plan to arrive at the hotel before 6pm so you can meet your guides and group for your trip orientation. Transportation is not included in this departure, so you will need your own vehicle to get you to the Pines Resort as well as driving to and from the trailhead. We’ll return to Bass Lake between 2-3pm.
About the packstock
Mules will be carrying all of our equipment and your personal gear into the basecamp. We will not be hiking with the mules- they we pass us on the trail, arriving to camp before us to drop off our gear and return back to their pack station. You will need to pack your personal belongings (not including tent, sleeping bag & pad) efficiently into one mid-sized compression sack or duffel as outlined in our pre-trip materials, weighing no more than 20 pounds. You are welcome to pack anything extra in your daypack.
Training & Preparation
This is designed as a beginner-friendly experience. While we recommend putting in time to prepare for your trip, we often have people that are newer to backpacking join us.
We still recommend getting outside before your trip to hike in the shoes or boots that you plan to wear and feel comfortable with your personal clothing and gear. If possible, it’s also a great idea to do some hikes with a weighted pack on to prepare well.
What's not included
- Personal clothing & footwear
- Dinner on the first night in Bass Lake
- Recommended 10-20% gratuity for guides and 3% for packers
- Trip Insurance
- Airfare
- Evacuations
Trip Reviews
Richard W, 2014
See L, 2019
Kathy K, 2013
