Mammoth Lakes, CA: Sadler Lake
Escape Yosemite Valley crowds on this 21.2-mile, multiday trek to glacial cirques and turquoise lakes deep in the wilds of the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 17.1
Waypoints
SDL001
Location: 37.5316505432129, -119.30110168457
Take Walton Trail N into open terrain scattered with Jeffrey pines
SDL002
Location: 37.5386009216309, -119.30249786377
First views NE of majestic Pacific Crest
SDL003
Location: 37.5582389831543, -119.32039642334
Cross Madera Creek, then turn R @ T toward Lillian Lake; enter 231,005-acre Ansel Adams Wilderness Area
SDL004
Location: 37.5601005554199, -119.322601318359
R @ Y toward Joe Crane and Sadler Lakes
SDL005
Location: 37.5613098144531, -119.32250213623
Stay R toward Joe Crane Lake; descend into West Fork Granite Creek basin, heading N toward Timber Creek
SDL006
Location: 37.5735664367676, -119.313041687012
Stiff, 1,000-foot ascent begins on overgrown Timber Creek Trail through pine-lined ridges of 9,850-ft. Timber Knob
SDL007
Location: 37.6046295166016, -119.309196472168
Trail crests at small pond providing sweeping views to E of the jagged granite massifs of the Ritter Range
SDL008
Location: 37.6183090209961, -119.306297302246
After swift descent, head E as trail fades in a meadow laced with knotweed and whorled pen stamen
SDL009
Location: 37.6200408935547, -119.301902770996
R to Sadler Lake @ E end of meadow, then descend to East Fork Granite Creek
SDL010
Location: 37.6240692138672, -119.297401428223
Turn L @ creekbed and head N for switchback ascent to Sadler Lake
SDL011
Location: 37.6420516967773, -119.300598144531
Stay R around E shore of Sadler Lake
SDL012
Location: 37.6440582275391, -119.302696228027
Sadler Lake (9,362 ft.) framed by inclined meadows; best LNT campsites 100 feet+ from E shore. Dayhike: From WPT 11, head .9 mi. W to McClure Lake, an alpine gem tucked below a sheer granite headwall
