Mammoth Lakes — Thousand Island Lake
Three days into the Ansel Adams Wilderness from Agnew Meadows, two nights camped on the shore of Thousand Island Lake under Banner Peak. A full day free of packs to reach Garnet Lake, Lake Ediza or Island Pass, then out on the High Trail with the Ritter Range at your back.
- Days
- 3
- Region
- Ansel Adams Wilderness, California
- Grade
- Moderate
- High point
- 12,300 ft
Day-by-day itinerary
Four days, start to finish
Los Angeles to 12,300 ft and back, with the altitude taken a step at a time.
Day 1
Day 1
Agnew Meadows · River Trail
Up the River Trail to Thousand Island Lake
The River Trail leaves Agnew Meadows and follows the Middle Fork San Joaquin north into the Ansel Adams Wilderness, a gentler and more sheltered line than the High Trail above it. It is 8.3 miles to Thousand Island Lake and about 2,000 ft of gain, most of it gradual until a last steady pull to the outlet. The lake sits at 9,840 ft with Banner Peak standing directly above it, and we make camp on the eastern shore in time for the evening light to come round onto the peak. Bear canisters go out and food is stowed well before dark — this shoreline sees bear activity through the summer.
- Distance
- 8.3 mi
- Gain
- ~2,000 ft
- Camp
- 9,840 ft
Day 2
Day 2
Garnet Lake · Lake Ediza · Island Pass
A day without packs
No packs today; camp stays at Thousand Island Lake and the group ranges out light. Over a low shoulder to the north lies Garnet Lake, tucked under the far side of Banner Peak; south, the trail drops to Lake Ediza beneath the jagged skyline of the Minarets. A shorter option climbs to Island Pass, an easy rise above Thousand Island Lake with the Ritter Range laid out end to end. Second night at camp, 9,840 ft.
- Routes
- 3 options
- Packs
- day packs only
- Camp
- 9,840 ft
Day 3
Day 3
High Trail · Agnew Meadows
Out on the High Trail
We break camp with a last look at Banner Peak and take the High Trail out, higher and more open than the River Trail, running along the canyon wall with the Ritter Range at the group's back for most of the morning. It rejoins the River Trail before Agnew Meadows, so the final stretch retraces yesterday's route. Down at the trailhead by early afternoon, packs and canisters off before the drive back into Mammoth Lakes.
- Nights at camp
- 2
- Camp
- 9,840 ft
- Descent
- ~2,000 ft
Two pack stations into the same wilderness
Red's Meadow Pack Station and Agnew Meadows Pack Station both run rides into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Red's Meadow offers 2-hour, half-day and full-day trips; Agnew Meadows keeps to 2-hour and half-day rides. Either is worth booking for anyone in the group who would rather see Banner Peak and the Ritter Range from a saddle than on foot.
Departures
Dates are set by snowpack and permit quotas rather than preference. Places are held in the order enquiries arrive.
- Full
- Nearly full2 left
- Places available8 left
- Places available8 left
What it costs
Priced per person and set by group size — the guide is the same either way, so a smaller party carries more of the cost. Every tier includes the permit, the guide, group kit and all meals on the trail.
- 2-3 walkers$1,595per person
- 4-5 walkers$1,250per person
- 6-8 walkers$1,050per person
A 25% deposit reserves a place; the balance is due 60 days before departure.
Not included
- Travel to and from the meeting point
- Personal gear — boots, sleeping bag, pack, waterproofs
- Trip insurance, which we strongly recommend
- Guide gratuity, customary at 10-15% and entirely optional
- Alcohol, and anything bought in town
Before you book
- Wilderness permit reserved and carried for the group
- Guide with wilderness first-aid certification
- Group camp kit — tents, stoves, bear canisters
- All meals from day one lunch to day three breakfast
- Transport to and from the Agnew Meadows trailhead
- Route choice on day two between Garnet Lake, Lake Ediza and Island Pass
Ready to walk it?
Tell us your dates and party size. Permits open six months ahead and the reservable places go quickly.
Ask about dates