Backpacking to Fern & Ashley Lake: Ansel Adams Wilderness

An amazing overnight backpacking trip in the Ansel Adams Wilderness to some of the Sierras most pristine back-country lakes - Fern & Lake Ashley. This was an idea I had to book the permit in advance, wake up at 3:00am in Los Angeles and make the drive up to Mammoth Lakes for an overnight backpacking trip, returning the next day. We left the house at approximately 3:30am and were in Mammoth by 8:30am to pick up our permits - we had the entire day really! It's amazing what you can accomplish by waking up a little earlier, having a plan, and executing on that plan. The trail began at the Devil's Postpile and climbed steeply into the Ansel Adams Wilderness to Fern Lake. After some afternoon swimming, we decided to push North and attempt to make it to Ashley Lake to set up camp. The trail from Fern to the trail-junction of Ashley Lake was relatively easy and scenic, with lots of water flowing in streams. The trail to Ashley lake was a challenge, and ended roughly 1/2 mile from the lake