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Ansel Adams Wilderness

Best Hiking Trails in Ansel Adams Wilderness

111 reviews


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Overview

Ansel Adams Wilderness is a protected area in California.


  • Hiking Trails (91)
  • Reviews (111)
  1. 1
    Agnew Meadows via Shadow Creek Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 6.8 mi
  2. 2
    Ruby Lake Loop via Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 17.3 mi
  3. 3
    1000 I Lake camp via John Muir Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 12.4 mi
  4. 4
    Parker Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 3.6 mi
  5. 5
    Devils Postpile via Pack Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 7.4 mi
  6. 6
    Ruby Lake Loop via John Muir Trail and Shadow Creek Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 17.1 mi
  7. 7
    Emerald Lake via Shadow Creek Trail and Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 22.3 mi
  8. 8
    Agnew Meadows Loop via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 12.0 mi
  9. 9
    Island Pass Loop via Rush Creek Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 18.8 mi
  10. 10
    Agnew Meadows via Shadow Creek Trail and Cecile Lake Trail
    ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 15.1 mi
    user_profile
    jcsvensson 7 months, 2 weeks ago
    Track (10/2/21, 10:56:35AM)
    Hike from Devils Post Pile Ranger Station to Devils Post Pile and then to Rainbow Falls and then to Lower Rainbow Falls, back to Devils Post Pile to top of Devils Post Pile and then to Minaret Falls - which were dry so another 1/2 mile past before returning to Ranger station. Hike was interesting if not beautiful. After sitting at Lower Rainbow Falls for a while ascending back to the trail the air was starting to fill with smoke blowing over from the fire at Sequoia NP. It was a surreal hike back and to Minaret Falls because the smoke was thick and much of the area of that hike is burned. It was a great hike and I’d do it again as a hike or backpacking trip.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Chris Ford 8 months, 2 weeks ago
    Day 1 - Horseshoe Lake to Rosalie Lake
    A good 12 mile first day en route from Mammoth to Tuolumne Meadows. Super pretty spot. Arrived at 2:30pm. Lots of great campsites to be had. Very dry from Reds Meadow on. Almost all creeks dry. Minaret Creek - waist deep in 2017 - was crossed on rocks.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    unbz2012 9 months, 1 week ago
    Green Mountain weather station
    Amazing views of post fire backcountry. Follow pink ribbons in the trees for best Jeep route to the weather station. The weather station is unmanned, in a large clearing suitable for camping.
    ★ ★ ★

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    jlgaspi 10 months, 2 weeks ago
    Track (7/8/21, 6:29:39AM)
    Minaret Falls trail is very beautiful. Walking by the river is awesome. I am glad I went a few years back. Today there is forest fire scarring.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Robert.thornton 11 months, 3 weeks ago
    Cora Lakes via Isberg Trail
    Unfortunately, the first two miles of the hike goes through the recent 2020 creek fire burn. I started the hike late in the day but it wasn't too hot yet. Once you get to the Niche, most of the burn stopped and you have the pleasant views of Granite Creek and the surrounding peaks. The lakes were nice and cool but a fair amount of mosquitos. Very small patches of snow around the lake.
    ★ ★ ★

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    aida.mollenkamp 1 year, 4 months ago
    Track (10/18/20, 9:59:50AM)
    Short but steep and gorgeous views.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    aida.mollenkamp 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (10/18/20, 9:59:50AM)
    Short but steep and gorgeous views.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Gordon Alexander 1 year, 8 months ago
    1000 I Lake camp via John Muir Trail
    Beautiful trip down a section of the JMT. I wrote the above description, so enjoy.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    glitwak 1 year, 9 months ago
    Track (8/9/20, 10:36:28AM)
    Great views of the minarets.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    jamaica0318 1 year, 9 months ago
    Track (8/2/20, 10:36:39)
    Awesome hike. With waterfall. Tiring in the heat. Go early to avoid heat. Take snacks to chill at waterfall.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    albdentist 1 year, 9 months ago
    Track (24/07/2020 10:16:19AM)
    Only 10degrees colder at summit ... Acclimation hike
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    lucasofthegrasslands 1 year, 10 months ago
    Ruby Lake Loop via Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail
    Very beautiful lakes and mountains surrounding. Had a nice swim at Shadow Lake and camped at Garnet Lake. Thousand Island Lake was spectacular on the way back to Agnew Meadows. Highly recommend cooling off in that lake as well as Shadow Lake. Mosquitoes were only bad in the evening and morning at Garnet Lake. Going along the ridge after thousand island had some neat lookouts but if I were to do this again, I’d try and camp at thousand island lake and just do an out and back along shadow creek trail.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    billhonnef 1 year, 10 months ago
    Crater creek
    Great hike. Easiest route down is the route we came up.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tstewart24634 1 year, 10 months ago
    Onion Springs OHV
    Trail is not difficult ... the scenery is worth the effort ... 33’s or larger IMO
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    allisondianee 1 year, 11 months ago
    Starkweather Lake Trail
    I liked this hike, it was at higher elevation so a bit cooler than other hikes down in mammoth, also there weren’t many people at all on the trail. It’s downhill on the way in so be prepared to hike uphill on the way back. A great short 2-hour hiking workout.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Joseph 1 year, 11 months ago
    Deadman Pass from Minaret Peak
    Amazing trail by Jeep or hike or bike. Amazing views!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Jacob 2 years, 8 months ago
    1000 I Lake camp via Rush Creek Trail and Pacific Crest Trail
    As always - hiking the Sierra Nevada mountains and lakes provide us with amazing views and beautiful trails. We started this hike at the Silver Lake trailhead, a short distance from the Village of June Lake. The trail ascends immediately, reaching Agnew Lake, from which we continued to Clark Lakes, and ending at 1000 Island Lake at the base of Mount Davis and Munt Ritter and Minarets. where glaciers still exist. The weather was magnificent and there were many backpackers planning to camp near 1000 Island Lake (aka "1000 Tents Lake" as one of them joked to me). I would rate this hike as difficult, mainly due to the long climb, and due to some of the trails not being maintained where we walked on somewhat unstable areas with scree. My stats (Using GAIA GPS) were 15.5 miles and 3,645 Ft of total ascent (out and back hike). Part of the hike was actually on a portion of the PCT!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Paul Okada 2 years, 9 months ago
    Thousand Island Lake to Agnew Meadows via River Trail
    I recommend this trail as a nice way to return to Agnew Meadows from Thousand Island lake. It follows the river for the most part and has lots of tree coverage. There are numerous water falls to enjoy.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Paul Okada 2 years, 9 months ago
    Thousand island lake to Catherine pass
    This is a rugged hike on a use trail starting near Thousand Island lake. We did this hike in September and had to use crampons and ice axes to cross a sizable snow field. Along the way we passed boulder fields and lush sub alpine meadows filled with streams and wildflowers. Two of us continued on to summit Mt. Ritter via the SW route. They returned to camp at 9pm after starting at 6am.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    mariuspolia 2 years, 9 months ago
    Track (8/2/19, 3:18:37PM)
    Another beautiful short hike!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    andiedan7 2 years, 9 months ago
    Agnew Meadows via Shadow Creek Trail
    This is a beautiful hike, but mosquitos are hatching so be prepared and have proper protection ( head net, deet, ect). There is some snow around 10000 ft. and the trail will be wet in areas.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    maria.kowch 2 years, 9 months ago
    Silver Lake to Agnew Lake
    Pretty hike that crisscrosses the tram tracks several times as it climbs, with great views of Horsetail Falls, but — we weren’t blown away by Agnew Lake when we got up there. If you are into seeing the dam & spillway it’s cool, but the trail just stops at a random spot with a partial view of the lake and some big orange platform in the middle of it.
    ★ ★ ★

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    visalnip 2 years, 11 months ago
    Thousand Island to Agnew Meadows (8/29/18, 9:46:55AM)
    Beautiful hike back down the river trail. Nice and shady.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tdd_sctt 2 months, 1 week ago
    Track (3/9/22, 9:28:32AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    rippen55 2 months, 2 weeks ago
    Donohue Pass via John Muir Trail
    ★ ★

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    eHiker 6 months, 3 weeks ago
    June Lake to Fern Lake
    ★

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    visalnip 6 months, 4 weeks ago
    Thousand Island
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ericseve 7 months ago
    Shadow lLake
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    yan.larsen 7 months, 1 week ago
    Johnston Lake via Minaret Trail 26E21
    ★

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    Nicole Taylor 7 months, 2 weeks ago
    Garnet Lake: 1st time no carrying :)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ryan.mcburney9 7 months, 3 weeks ago
    Lilly’s White Wale
    ★ ★ ★

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    baileysadventurepainting 9 months, 1 week ago
    Back to silver lake via Gem Lake trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    mistycooldo 9 months, 1 week ago
    Rainbow falls hike
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    jyukon 9 months, 2 weeks ago
    Mammoth: Agnew meadows Shadow Lake Mammoth: Agnew meadow to Shadow Lake (8/7/21, 9:18:27AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tdd_sctt 9 months, 2 weeks ago
    Thousand island lake loop (8/5/21, 5:49:57AM
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Tony Sarzotti 10 months, 1 week ago
    9/3/17, 1,000 Island Lake Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    alanleggett99 10 months, 1 week ago
    Ediza lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    campbell_mcinnes 10 months, 1 week ago
    Red’s Meadow/Lower Rainbow Falls
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    campbell_mcinnes 10 months, 1 week ago
    Upper Soda Springs/Shadow lake/Rosalie Lake/ Devils Post Pile Ranger Station
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    clynton.taylor 10 months, 1 week ago
    Minaret Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    khong.brit 10 months, 2 weeks ago
    Devils Postpile via Top of Postpile
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ghaggard 10 months, 3 weeks ago
    Shadow lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    makosuzuki0803 10 months, 3 weeks ago
    Carson Peak Hike
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    yogihawk1 10 months, 3 weeks ago
    Rainbow falls
    ★

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    david.ervin2500 10 months, 3 weeks ago
    Minaret Summit via San Joaquin Ridge Road
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Kimbacat 11 months ago
    Devils Postpile to lower Rainbow Falls
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Cheryl 11 months, 2 weeks ago
    Day 3 Johnston Lake to Horshoe Lake via Red Cones
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    kylegodwin618 1 year ago
    Rush Creek Trail to Gem Lake 104-037 Dam, Mono County, CA, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    leahannekey 1 year, 1 month ago
    Devils Postpile
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Tim 1 year, 1 month ago
    Death Valley and eastern Sierra
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    rjashmun 1 year, 2 months ago
    CA Sec H - JMT Alternate
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    sydneyknadler 1 year, 4 months ago
    Left the tracker on while we soaked. Whoops
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Nikolai the Great Goat Sherpa Berevernykruchenko 1 year, 7 months ago
    Agnew Meadows via Shadow Creek Trail
    ★ ★

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    Salah 1 year, 8 months ago
    Fern Lake via Pack Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Gordon Alexander 1 year, 8 months ago
    JMT w dogs II
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    aymoustakas 1 year, 8 months ago
    Rainbow Falls Devil’s Postpile
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    kmaceross 1 year, 8 months ago
    Agnew Meadows Road to Minaret Creek, Madera County, CA, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    chase.franklin13 1 year, 8 months ago
    Rainbow Falls Trailhead to Middle Fork San Joaquin River, Madera County, CA, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Evan 1 year, 8 months ago
    Track (8/25/20, 3:42:22PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    fjscot 1 year, 8 months ago
    Track (8/22/20, 8:53:47AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Fuinur 1 year, 9 months ago
    Minaret Lake Hike
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    abbazabba 1 year, 9 months ago
    Devils Postpile
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Ross Hutcheon 1 year, 9 months ago
    Rainbow Falls
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Ross Hutcheon 1 year, 9 months ago
    Devils Postpile
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    binn4 1 year, 9 months ago
    Track (8/6/20, 7:14:31AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    billhonnef 1 year, 9 months ago
    Mount Ritter
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    bijanmz 1 year, 9 months ago
    Agnew Meadows via Shadow Creek Trail
    ★

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    emaryannhazel 1 year, 9 months ago
    Thousand island lakes
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Ross Hutcheon 1 year, 9 months ago
    Cora Lakes - Ansel Adams Wilderness
    ★ ★ ★

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    Kelly 1 year, 9 months ago
    Yost Lake Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    j.somoano1 1 year, 9 months ago
    Track (7/25/20, 10:22:32AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Jmsaylor8137 1 year, 10 months ago
    Track (7/18/20, 10:19:32AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    dpondella 1 year, 10 months ago
    Shadow Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Scott Eggers 1 year, 10 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    supriyo.dey 1 year, 10 months ago
    Track (7/18/20, 7:09:32AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    bradthontlin 1 year, 10 months ago
    Minaret Lake to Cecile Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Jonny Wachter 1 year, 10 months ago
    Minaret Summit via San Joaquin Ridge Road and CA 203
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    allisondianee 1 year, 10 months ago
    Ediza Lake One Way (up)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    HunterFitness 1 year, 10 months ago
    Track (7/3/20, 6:02:06AM)
    ★ ★ ★

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    ryanlopilatosleeps 1 year, 10 months ago
    1000 I Lake camp via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    jessetter 1 year, 10 months ago
    Counter Clockwise 1000 Island + Ediza (6/26/20, 9:28:12AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Adventures of Brandon & Jess 1 year, 10 months ago
    Counter Clockwise Badger Lakes/Waugh Lake/1000 Island Lake/Ediza Lake (6/26/20, 9:28:12AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Paul Lacey 1 year, 10 months ago
    Day 2 Hike to thousand island lake
    ★ ★ ★

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    mattstevenfisher 1 year, 11 months ago
    Rainbow Falls
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Megan Rose 1 year, 11 months ago
    Track (6/22/20, 10:30:34AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    gminelli 1 year, 11 months ago
    Thousand Island Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Ross Hutcheon 1 year, 11 months ago
    Upper Chain Lake & Breeze Lake overlook
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Oli 1 year, 11 months ago
    Track (6/20/20, 9:39:34AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    billhonnef 1 year, 11 months ago
    Rush Creek
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    stephen.m.alessi 2 years ago
    Mount wood
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    laranicholsbrown 2 years, 3 months ago
    1000 I Lake camp via John Muir Trail
    ★ ★

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    jacobtisher 2 years, 5 months ago
    Off the Top to Chair 14, Madera County, CA, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    soulturns76 2 years, 6 months ago
    Track (10/12/18, 12:10:49PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    rrastonis 2 years, 6 months ago
    Gem & Thousand Island Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    David 2 years, 7 months ago
    Track (9/25/19, 10:12:09AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    agruver04 2 years, 7 months ago
    1000 I Lake camp via John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail
    ★

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    junewlove 2 years, 7 months ago
    Devil’s Postpile Track (9/3/19, 15:01:0)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    debanncastro 2 years, 7 months ago
    Cocaine Chute
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    junewlove 2 years, 7 months ago
    Devil’s Postpile Track (9/3/19, 15:01:0)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    chaconfamily4 2 years, 7 months ago
    Garnet Lake Loop (9/14/19, 3:48:19PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Jacob 2 years, 8 months ago
    1000 Islands Lake from Silver Lake, out & back
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Ryder 2 years, 8 months ago
    Hamburger Hike (9/2/19, 8:01:10AM)
    ★ ★ ★

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    cboyd 2 years, 8 months ago
    Mammoth Pass, Rainbow Falls and Devils ‘s Postpile
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    nikholub 2 years, 8 months ago
    Track (8/25/19, 7:47:15AM)
    ★ ★ ★

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    mrmarkl 2 years, 9 months ago
    Backpacking to Ediza Lake,IcebergLake,(8/14/19, 6:49:19AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    calljrnow 2 years, 9 months ago
    Track (8/9/19, 2:36:45PM)Agnew Meadows to Lake Ediza
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    jav17velasco 2 years, 9 months ago
    Track (7/29/19, 9:31:34AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    jlynnjensen 2 years, 10 months ago
    Fern Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    RussN328 2 years, 10 months ago
    2019 Silver Lake to Agnew Meadows Snow Route
    ★

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    fran.smith 2 years, 10 months ago
    Horseshoe to Lower RF
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Ryder 2 years, 10 months ago
    Mammoth Pass Trail and Old John Muir Trail
    ★

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