Park

Wilderness Ansel Adams

California, USA San Joaquin watershed 37.313°, -119.025°
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Campgrounds
23
Trails
60
Points of interest
2
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Wilderness Ansel Adams -- California park
Wilderness Ansel Adams California · San Joaquin watershed
About this park

Wilderness Ansel Adams

Wilderness Ansel Adams, located in the state of California, is a stunning natural area named after the renowned American photographer Ansel Adams. This wilderness area offers a plethora of reasons to visit, with its breathtaking landscapes, unique fauna and flora, and rich historical significance.

One of the main reasons to visit Wilderness Ansel Adams is the opportunity to immerse oneself in its untouched natural beauty. The area boasts majestic mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and lush forests, providing endless opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife observation. The wilderness area is also home to some of the most iconic and photogenic landscapes in California, allowing visitors to capture their own stunning images reminiscent of Ansel Adams' work.

There are several specific points of interest within Wilderness Ansel Adams that are worth exploring. One of the most famous is the Ansel Adams Wilderness, which spans over 230,000 acres and offers numerous hiking trails, including the renowned John Muir Trail. The region is also home to the dramatic Ritter Range, comprising several towering peaks, such as Mount Ritter and Banner Peak. Moreover, the gem-like Thousand Island Lake, nestled amidst the mountains, is a popular destination for backpackers and photographers seeking unique vistas.

Interesting facts about the area include its designation as a wilderness in 1964, ensuring its preservation and protection. The region is named after Ansel Adams, who was not only a legendary landscape photographer but also an environmentalist and key figure in promoting the conservation of wild areas. Ansel Adams himself spent considerable time in the Sierra Nevada, capturing the beauty of the wilderness through his lens.

The best time of year to visit Wilderness Ansel Adams depends on one's preferences and desired activities. During the summer months (June to September), the weather is generally warm and pleasant, making it ideal for hiking and camping. The snow-covered winter months (December to March) offer a different kind of beauty, attracting winter sports enthusiasts for activities like skiing and snowshoeing. However, it's important to note that the weather can be unpredictable, and visitors should be prepared for sudden changes and potential snowfall even during the summer months.

To ensure accuracy, it is recommended to verify the information provided across multiple independent sources such as official park websites, travel guides, and reputable outdoor activity websites.
StateCalifornia
WatershedSan Joaquin
Latitude37.3127°
Longitude-119.0246°
In the park

Streamflow in Wilderness Ansel Adams

Live USGS discharge at streamgauges inside the park boundary.

GaugeFlow
Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca · 3.65 ft gage 93 cfs
In the park

Snowpack in Wilderness Ansel Adams

Current snow depth at SNOTEL stations inside the park boundary.

Snow stationSnowpack
Nohrsc Graveyard Meadow 1 in
Nohrsc Green Mtn 8 in
In the park

Trails in Wilderness Ansel Adams

Named trails whose route falls inside the park.

Alger Lakes Trail
9.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Anona Lake Trail
1.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Ashley Lake Trail
1.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Beck Lakes Trail
0.9 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Cabin Lake Trail
0.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Cecile Lake Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Chetwood Cabin Trail
2.1 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Chittenden Lake Trail
0.9 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Clark Lakes Trail
3.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Cora Creek Trail
4.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Cora Spur Trail
0.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Coyote Cutoff
1.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Emily Lake Trail
1.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Fernandez Access Trail
0.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Frog Meadow Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Hole Trail
2.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Iron Creek Trail
7.6 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Iron Lake Trail
3.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Isberg Trail
11.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Jackass Lakes Trail
2.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Joe Crane Lake Trail
1.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
King Creek Trail
1.2 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Lady Lake Trail
0.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Lillian Access Trail
0.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Lillian Lake Trail
5.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Lion Point Trail
3.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Long Creek Trail
4.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Mammoth Trail
13.2 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Margaret Lakes Trail
7.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Marie Lakes Trail
1.6 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Mcclure Lake Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Miller Creek Trail
2.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Minaret Mine Trail
1.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Norris Lake Trail
2.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Nydiver Lakes Trail
0.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Post Creek Trail
4.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Post Peak Trail
5.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Rainbow Falls Trail
1.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Rainbow Falls Wagon Trail
1.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Rainbow Falls-Reds Cutoff
0.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Rainbow Lake Trail
1.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Rock Creek Trail
4.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Rock Lake Trail
4.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Rush Creek Trail
9.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Shadow Creek Trail
6.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Silver Creek Trail
8.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Slab Lake Trail
2.2 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Snake Meadow Trail
1.8 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Sotcher Lake Feeder Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Sotcher Lake Loop
1.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Spooky Meadow Trail
3.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Starkweather Lake Trail
2.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Stevenson Trail
11.8 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
String Meadow Trail
8.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Summit Meadow - Holcomb Cutoff
1.9 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Summit Meadow Trail
2.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Superior Lake Trail
5.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Timber Creek Trail
5.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Walton Trail
2.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Weber Lake Trail
1.2 mi · Hiking, Running
In the park

Points of interest in Wilderness Ansel Adams

Landmarks and points of interest inside the park boundary.

D Devils Postpile Formation
Devils Postpile Formation
Point Of Interest
V Visitor Contact / Ranger Station
Visitor Contact / Ranger Station
Visitor Center
Detailed forecast

Plan your visit down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace

Know before you go
Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
Stay on trail
Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
Respect wildlife
Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
Pack it in, pack it out
Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
Leave what you find
Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Wilderness Ansel Adams as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.

FAQ

About Wilderness Ansel Adams

What can I do at Wilderness Ansel Adams?

Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).

How fresh is the weather data?

The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.

When is the best time to visit?

Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.

How do I get to Wilderness Ansel Adams?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.

Can I get alerts when conditions change?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

Land designation

Park & land designation reference

A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.