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Ansel Adams Wilderness, California

Looking for the best backpacking in Ansel Adams Wilderness? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Ansel Adams Wilderness. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Ansel Adams Wilderness

  • Bishop, California

    Backpack the Piute Pass Trail in the John Muir Wilderness

    21 mi / 2000 ft gain
    With so many famous hiking trails in the Sierras, its hard to find a trail as isolated as the Piute Pass Trail. This trail allows you to hike in the John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, and Sierra National Forest in one 20 mile section of trail. You will encounter amazing wilderness, spect...
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  • Bishop, California

    Baboon Lakes via Sabrina Basin

    8.53 mi / 2165 ft gain
    Gorgeous and sizable alpine lakes beyond Blue Lake via Sabrina Basin trail.  There are some very confusing descriptions on the internet for this so hopefully this can help. Hike for 3 miles to get to Blue Lake, which is huge and a popular camping spot for backpackers. Continue past the lake (it ...
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  • Mono County, California

    Leavitt Lake in Stanislaus National Forest

    4.0
    7.44 mi / 1385 ft gain
    Situated on the eastern edge of Emigrant Wilderness, Leavitt Lake is a great introduction to backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. Leavitt Lake is located at the end of Forest Service Route 077 off of Highway 108. It is actually possible to drive to Leavitt Lake, but a high clearance vehicle is requi...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Backpack to Chain Lakes

    4.4 mi / 864 ft gain
    This trip begins at ~7500 feet at the Box Springs Trailhead This trail is at the end of Forest Route 3N20Y. The trail, which is not regularly maintained and may at times be hard to follow, initially descends slightly to 7300', then stays mostly flat before rising just before the lakes. You will p...
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  • Bishop, California

    Long Lake via Bishop Pass

    5.51 mi / 991 ft gain
    Directions The trailhead for Long Lake starts by South Lake outside Bishop, CA. You'll want to take Line Street, which is the 168, West out of Bishop. Approximately 14 miles up, you'll want to merge left towards South Lake. This junction is well-signed if you keep an eye out for it. Head th...
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  • Bishop, California

    Climb Columbine Peak's NE Ridge

    15 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Directions This Bishop Pass Trail starts by South Lake outside Bishop, CA. You'll want to take Line Street, which is the 168, West out of Bishop. Approximately 14 miles up, you'll want to merge left towards South Lake. This junction is well-signed if you keep an eye out for it. Head the rest ...
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  • Bishop, California

    Backpack into the Palisades from Bishop Pass

    18 mi / 4000 ft gain
    Drive up to the trailhead near South Lake from the town of Bishop (you can get directions at the Ranger Station when you get a permit). The hike goes from approximately 9,000 ft. to 13,000 ft. over the course of 9 miles.The first approximately 6 miles are on trail to the top of Bishop Pass. From ...
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  • Bishop, California

    Bishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail

    52.67 mi / 9173 ft gain
    Bishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Bishop, California.
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  • Bishop, California

    Treasure Lakes Trail

    5.0
    5.79 mi / 1375 ft gain
    The Treasure Lakes Trail is dog and kid friendly, just make sure all parties can handle the elevation gain. The scenery throughout the entire hike is amazing, and early in the summer, the creeks roar. The lake is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. The trail is best used in the summer an...
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  • Bishop, California

    Evolution Basin via South Lake

    35.66 mi / 7769 ft gain
    It’s been called the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada, the highlight of the entire 211-mile John Muir Trail. Whatever superlatives are used to describe it, Evolution Basin is undoubtedly one of the most incredible landscapes you’ll ever explore. There is a small catch, though: There is no easy ...
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