Ansel Adams Wilderness

Located within Sierra National Forest, this alpine wilderness, named after the renowned landscape photographer Ansel Adams, is dotted with sparkling lakes, glacially sculptured gorges and imposing peaks and spires. This 228,500 acres wilderness includes a number of lake and stream systems that are the headwaters of the San Joaquin River. Vegetation is mixed coniferous and deciduous forest of pine and oak in low elevation and subalpine forests of lodgepole pine, mountain hemlock and red fir. Alpine meadows grace the higher elevations with wildflowers and crystal streams.

Elevations range from hot dry canyons at 3,500 feet in the San Joaquin River gorge to 13,157 foot Mount Ritter. Precipitation is from 18 to 50 inches, with snow depth averages about 171 inches.

The John Muir Trail, which starts in Yosemite National Park, crosses Donahue Pass (11,056 feet), into the Ansel Adams Wilderness and south through Inyo National Forest on the east side of the sierra crest. This portion of trail is part of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. There are hundreds of miles of trail offering access to the John Muir Wilderness and Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks.

The Ansel Adams Wilderness has good stream and lake fishing that include rainbow, golden and eastern brook trout. The Ritter Range affords challenges for experienced mountain climbers with several small glaciers under its rugged peaks. Southern portions of the wilderness provide forests of huge pine and fir where few people visit.

Come and discover this area which Ansel Adams has turned into art with an America Outdoors outfitter, who provide hiking trips, fishing, horseback riding, horsepacking trips, camping, tours and treks and lodging in the Ansel Adams Wildnerness!