Fall Ansel Adams Wilderness Backpacking Trip

Trail Name: Agnew Lake, Gem Lake, Waugh Lake and Clark Lakes Loop Trail
Description: 19.3 Loop Trail located in Ansel Adams Wilderness located in Inyo National Forest. Trailhead is located near Silver Lake off of HW 158. Trailhead starts next to Silver Lake Campground. There is a store and café at the resort. Trail is rated as Hard. Total elevation gain is 4,196 ft. Permit acquired for 5 people.

We will meet at the Rush Creek Trailhead at 7:30 am and on the trail by 8am.

Thursday: September 25th: Hike along Rush Creek Trail past Silver Lake. Come to a junction with Spooky Meadow Trail. Turn left onto Rush Creek Trail. Will pass Gem Lake. Plan to find a campsite around Waugh Lake. About 7.3 miles from TH to Waugh Lake.

Friday: September 26th: Pack up and hike along Rush Creek Trail to junction. Turn Left onto John Muir Trail/PCT and hike over Island Pass to Thousand Island Lake. Camp along Thousand Island Lake.

Saturday: September 27th: Pack up and continue along John Muir Trail to Rush Creek Trail. Right on Rush Creek Trail back to Rush Creek TH and our vehicles.
You will need a California campfire permit if plan to use camp stove. You can get a free permit online at Campfire Permit - Ready for Wildfire. No wilderness permit is required.
Bear canisters are recommended but not required. No campfires at Gem Lake (north side), Waugh, Thousand Island, and Garnet Lakes; and no campfires above 10,000 ft.
Please see link to the trail we will be doing.
Alltrails Map link:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/agnew-lake-gem-lake-waugh-lake-and-clark-lakes-loop-trail?p=-1&sh=pechty&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
A good description of the Rush Creek Trail
https://www.summitpost.org/rush-creek/177294