Alpine Lakes of the Ansel Adams Wilderness
Guided Backpacking Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 24MI / 38KM
Trip Highlights
Ansel Adams immortalized California’s Sierra Nevada in his photographs, and this backpacking trip ventures into the wilderness named in his honor. Towering granite peaks, pristine alpine lakes, cascading creeks, and wildflower meadows await in this dramatic, crowd-free alternative to Yosemite. Designed for adventurous travelers, this journey offers guided exploration on both established and off-trail routes. We’ll hike through the stunning “Range of Light” and attempt a summit of one of the 10,000-foot peaks marking Yosemite’s southern edge. With expert guides leading the way, this trip captures the same breathtaking beauty that inspired Adams over a century ago.
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Pristine Alpine Lakes
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Towering Granite Peaks
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Peak Bagging
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Gorgeous Landscapes
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Mountain Wildlife
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Fascinating Cultural History
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 6 miles -
Group Size
2-12 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip features moderate daily hiking distances (up to 6 miles) with moderate elevation gains and losses. Backpack weight is 25-35 pounds, and elevations go up to 10,000+ feet. All of these details combined make this trip Level 3 difficulty.
Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
On Day 1 you will meet your Guide in Fresno around 4pm. We will transport you to tonight’s campsite on the shores of Bass Lake, California. We will host a pre-trip orientation, and then your guide(s) will prepare dinner.
Day 2
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1709 feet
Elevation Loss: 322 feet
After a bright and early start, and breakfast, we will rendezvous and take a shuttle to our nearby trailhead. After one last gear check and fitting of backpacks, we’ll hit the trail. Our hike takes us first through fir forests and finally into the high sub-alpine lakes basin where we will set up camp. This dramatic spot is our home for the next 3 nights!
Day 3
Hiking Distance: Up to 6 miles
Elevation Change: varies
Today we will explore the gorgeous upper lakes basin via maintained trails and “social trails,” which are established off-trail hiking routes. There are many possible variations to today’s hike, and your guides will customize the itinerary for the maximum inspiration of the group. Our amazing day of exploration ends with optional swimming at our lakeside camp, a delicious backcountry dinner prepared by your guide(s), and fantastic stargazing.
Day 4
Hiking Distance: Up to 6 miles
Elevation Change: varies
After a hot breakfast with tea and coffee we’ll set out again to explore the surrounding area. Today we will embark on a summit hike to one of the nearby 10,000’+ peaks that form the southern border of Yosemite National Park. From the peak we will soak up awe-inspiring, 360-degree views of the Sierra over a picnic lunch. After our return to camp, what’s left of the afternoon is free time to swim, explore the immediate area more, relax and read, or simply contemplate the wonders of our amazing planet.
Day 5
Hiking Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 322 feet
Elevation Loss: 1709 feet
Shuttle to Fresno: 1.5 hours
After a relaxing morning and final, farewell breakfast we’ll say goodbye to our cozy camp and hike back down to the trailhead. Then it’s a relatively short drive back to the Fresno Airport, or a hotel of your choice near the airport.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation originating and ending in Fresno, CA
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Bear cannisters for food storage
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
4 Nights TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on llama treks is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your trekking guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
This trip meets in Fresno, CA at 4:00 pm on Day 1, after which we shuttle to Bass Lake for a pre-trip orientation meeting and welcome dinner. The pickup location is the Fresno International Airport. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days prior to coordinate the rendezvous.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Fresno, CA
Fresno International Airport is a convenient airport to fly into, and the starting and ending point of the trip. Please arrive in Fresno well before before 4:00 PM on Day 1 and don’t plan any departing flights on the final day before 3:00 PM.
Start/End Times
This tour begins with pickup at the Fresno Airport at 4:00 PM, after which we will shuttle to Bass Lake for a night of camping, an orientation and your first guide-prepared dinner. On the final day we will be back into Fresno normally around 2:00 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time.)
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
- specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
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