Tackling Ansel Adams and Hoover Wilderness Lakes hikes on a Fall Day Hike Excursion near Yosemite
Lee Vining Ca- Hoover and Ansel Adams Wilderness Hikes – Mono County Fall Hikes – With summer in the rear view mirror me and my hiking buddies have been discussing how little we have been able to get out this summer from all the wildfires. So when October rolled around and fall hiking kicked in we have been making lists of locations to go explore for the first time.
Gardisky Lake in the Hoover Wilderness and Parker Lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness were both on our list so we decided to put in the work and tackled both of them on a day hike excursion in Lee Vining.
Day hiking for us takes us from the Carson Valley down south on Hwy 395 to Lee Vining. We love hiking in the Bridgeport to June Lakes region and have hiked the different canyons for as fall hikes.
We had passed up Gardisky before, not exactly certain we were mentally prepared for the climb. And for what ever reason Parker Lake which is so popular just always seemed to slide down the list. So today we decided that we would start with Gardisky and then decide if Parker Lake was in the cards based on how we felt after the morning hike.
Hoover Wilderness Fall Hike
Gardisky Lake
Gardisky Lake is a favorite for local fisherman, and is not a trail for the faint of heart. At 10’500 feet in elevation you already have to be ready for the lighter air, but then throw in the fact that this trail might have been made by a mule and the difficulty just rises out of the valley floor. Parking around 10 am, we set out on the short 1.2 mile hike up to the Gardisky Lake Basin.
A Quarter mile in on the trail and we suddenly understand that this trail was designed to test your strength and fitness as it climbs vertical for most of the trip with very few switch backs.
The views looking back however were a great reason to catch your breath on the trail. Views of Gaylor Peaks, Fake white mountain, Gibbs and Grizzly Mountains all are with in view on the hike rather quickly.
Across the canyon is home to the Bennettsville Mine Trail and just to the north of the trail is Saddlebag lake and the 20 Lakes Basin trail system.
After a mile of huffing and puffing we finally reach a meadow area that has normal slope and proceed slowly towards Gardisky Lake.
It was a cloudy/smoky sky today from the KNP Complex Fire and thankfully it was still cool as we sat at the edge of the lake and had a refuel period. A Family of ducks were buy diving for food along the shore line and the fall color of the grasses made this place look a little like Mordor form Load of the rings.
If you are familiar with Bloody Canyon in the Ansel Adams Wilderness it has very similar coloration in the rocks and mountains surrounding the lake. On the East side of the lake another streams leaves the lake when water is high enough into Tioga Pass.
After a refuel we walked the North edge of the lake and could hear the fisherman across the lake having success catching Brooke trout in the morning. We also were surprised to see water still flowing from the hillside tot he north. No other lakes ar eon the map so I assume springs are active up there but we did not explore. Instead I headed tot he Northern edge where the mountain seemed to just vanish like a an infinity pool over the edge. I loved the view from the north edge as it looked out at Tioga Pass, and Lee Vining Peak. The canyon below has lots of old mining sign and seems like it may have been a route between Tioga and Lundy Canyons in its day.
After a short climb and completion of the circling the lake we spoke with the fisherman, who said that it was just an ok day fishing, they had seen better days at the lake. (All I could think is, “you do this climb multiple times for fish?” Must be some good fishing) We headed back down the trail knowing that with out poles going down might just be a bit more trickery than coming up this trail. The views heading down of Gaylor peaks region were stunning as the afternoon sun started to warm the region.
Ansel Adams Wilderness Fall Hike
Parker Lake
Once we reached the car it was about 1pm and neither of us were ready to call it a day yet. Briefly thought about a short adventure in Yosemite, we were so close, but decided to hop down to June Lake loop which is just a few miles down the road on Hwy 395 an tackle Parker Lake. On the way down Tioga the colors along the mountain side were popping so we stopped for a quick photo opp. Fall is so incredible on our Scenic Byways in the Sierra.
The road to Parker lake is located on June Lake loop. We could see by the dust that the parking area was probably going to be full, but oh well we were motivated. I Stopped quickly to see huge coyote perched out on a rock 100 yards of the road and started to realize that parker lake road is used a lot, because it was a rough road.
The Parking was not bad as we arrived and we wasted little time getting started because we are already thinking about a return visit to Mono Cone for Burgers and shakes when we finished.
The Parker Lake trail leads you directly into the Ansel Adams Wilderness rather quickly and because of the heat of the mid day sun the initial climb up from the parking area was a bit or a grueller, especially with tired legs already from our earlier hike. This hike say sit is a moderate 3.7 mile out and back hike with 650 feet elevation gain. That first mile however is where all the work is for the hike. After that this is a very pleasant hike along Parker creek. The fall colors were popping on this hike and it was a beautiful afternoon as we strolled rather quickly along the creek and through a multitude of aspen trees and large ponderosa trees. A few stops along the creek for a breathers and just to take in the scenic value of the creek itself before one last push thought he trees to the edge of Parker Lake. Parker Lake trail does not make the list of Mono county Fall Color hikes but we can tell you if you want a great hike, beautiful lake and fall colors, this is a really good choice.
Parker Lake does not disappoint in its beauty as you are taken in by the high rising mountain peaks to the west of the lake. The only distraction unfortunately is people and noise. Parker Lake is not the place to go find peace and quiet in the wilderness. At least on our visit. There were lots of people here and lots of loud talking, although I have to admit the canyon seemed to carry sound really well. We hiked along the southern edge to the backside of the lake, past the hoards of fisherman lining the shore and decided it was time to cool down with a nice dip in the lake. Wow this lake is cold. We have swam in a lot of cold lakes, this would make the list today. Two quick dives and back to shore for me to dry out, but mission accomplished, body temp is regulated for our return hike.
Parker Lake is a photographers dream and the fall color lining the shore line on the west side just as the valley disappears below the large peaks is stunning. You almost forget that the lake itself is surrounded by sage brush foothills on the other three sides. There is no camping at this lake, but I would bet it would be a stunning location for night photography with the stars.
Ok, on a normal day we probably stay for a few hours and explore much more of the shore line but it is already 4pm and Mono cone is calling our name. The hike out is very pleasant, the colors on the aspens even beter with the evening sky approaching and the trip is much more downhill oriented which is great for these tired legs.
One last stop at the Ansel Adams wilderness sign to take a picture of a couple and their tired dog and we are back at the car headed into Lee Vining.
Best Burgers on Highway 395
For Tom and I, it is always a debate on where to stop on the way home, Mono Cone, The Barn in Bridgeport or Walker Burger. Today Mono Cone would win the conversation, I love their Jalapeno Jack Burger. All full and satisfied a short two hour journey back to the Carson Valley for us completes another successful Sierra Rec day trip adventure.
What about you? Would you go for the double hike on your next adventure or is one enough? Are you picking Mono cone in Lee Vining or possible headed into June Lake for some fresh brews? Leave us a note and let us know.
Sierra Rec Magazine has been hiking and exploring the Sierra Nevada for the past 12 years. Based out of the Carson Valley we love to travel as far south as Mammoth Lakes and as far north as Lassen Volcanic National Park. Of Course with Lake Tahoe in our back yard we don’t have to go far for adventure. But Yosemite has a special place in my hear so we go there a plenty. We hope you enjoy our adventures and will consider joining the Sierra Rec Community. We would love to hear from you and welcome guest posts if you would like to share your adventure with the world. Remember to keep it wild and clean, leave only footprints, take only pictures.
