4 Must See Day Hikes in Ansel Adams Wilderness:
Ansel Adams wilderness is a dream to be in with the incredible collection of alpine lakes you can spend a lifetime in this park and not see it all. Here are some great day hikes that will help you see the highlights of the park as mentioned in some of our backpacking itineraries. So if you see a hike or a cool view that you want to do but do not necessarily have the time to do a multi-day trip these hikes are a great way to see the highlights for those of you who are crunched for time.
Devils Postpile:
As featured in a backpacking itinerary if you want to see one of the amazing geologic wonders of Ansel Adams Wilderness but don’t have the time to go on a multi-day backpacking trip, this shorter day hike is a great option to see this marvelous national monument!
Distance: ~3.4miles
Elevation Gain: 459ft
Hike to Shadow and Garnet Lakes:
Want to see some amazing glacial lakes? Don’t want to hike for several days to see them? Well this loop trail day hike is for you! Here you will be starting and ending in Agnew Meadows where you will hike along Shadow Creek Trail and the John Muir Trail catching breathtaking views of alpine lakes surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Distance: ~ 13.3miles
Elevation Gain: 2,549ft
Thousand Island Lake:
Now let me start off by saying that this is a difficult day hike with 16 miles and gaining nearly 4,000ft of elevation will by no means be a walk in a park. Be sure to properly prepare with enough food and water to last you the day. But this loop although difficult will give you the opportunity to hike both Thousand Island and Gem Lakes in a single day and I guarantee these views will be worth the sore legs!
Distance: ~16.2miles
Elevation Gain: 3,976ft
Hike to Parker Lake:
This low difficulty day hike can be fun for the whole family! When you arrive at parker lake you will be greeted with a beautiful valley that opens up to the lake. This can be a more heavily trafficked trail so it would be wise to get there earlier in the day to find parking.
Distance: ~4.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: ~755ft
