Recreation - Wilderness Areas
Ansel Adams Wilderness Area
FOREST WILDERNESS AREAS - GENERAL INFORMATION
Sierra National Forest now contains approximately 528,000 acres
of Congressionally designated Wilderness. Almost 227,000 acres were
added to the Sierra's existing system as a result of the California
Wilderness Act of 1984.
The Sierra National Forest manages 527,000 acres of congressional
designated wilderness. The Sierra National Forest is responsible
for managing five wilderness areas including: Ansel Adams, Dinkey
Lakes, John Muir, Kaiser and Monarch Wilderness areas.
For more information on each of the wilderness areas, please select
a link below:
Ansel Adams Wilderness
Dinkey Lake Wilderness
John Muir Wilderness
Kaiser Wilderness
Monarch Wilderness
WILDERNESS CAMPFIRES
Today, backpackers into wilderness areas are urged to use Leave
No Trace ethics which encourages cooking on camp stoves and avoiding
building campfires. Backpacking stoves are economical and lightweight
and provide fast, clean cooking. In some heavily used areas, fires
are not permitted. In fragile environments, such as alpine meadows,
fires leave scars for many years and deplete wood supplies. Campfires
are discouraged anywhere above 9,000 feet.
WOOD BURNING
Burning small sticks gathered from the ground is the best source
of wood. Use only down, dead wood. Never cut green trees or branches;
they won't burn. Standing dead trees will burn, but are valuable
for cavity-nesting birds and aesthetics so don't cut them. Small
wood will burn completely, providing good coals for cooking. The
remaining white ash is easier to dispose of than partially burned
logs.
PORTABLE FIRE PANS
An innovative method for building a Leave No Trace fire is the
portable fire pan (simply a metal tray with rigid sides at least
three inches high). Fire pans were first used by river guides to
minimize the impact of their fires, but they are becoming increasingly
popular with backpackers and horse packers. Metal oil drain pans
and the pans from backyard barbecue grills make effective and inexpensive
fire pans, though a few outdoor companies are beginning to market
lightweight versions.
Remember:
- Use a lightweight stove rather than building a fire.
- Check local ranger stations for fire regulations
- Use existing fire circles in heavy-use areas.
- Build fires away from trees, shrubs, rocks and meadows.
- Burn only small sticks.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Make sure that fire is DEAD OUT!
- Scatter the ashes and naturalize the area.
Due to the scarcity of wood and small woody material the following
restrictions apply to campfires in the wilderness:
Ansel Adams Wilderness
- No fires above 10,000 feet.
John Muir & Dinkey Lakes Wilderness
- No fires above 10,000 feet north of Mt Shinn, and no fires
above 10,400 feet south of Mt. Shinn.
- ONLY portable stoves the use gas, jelled, petroleum or liquid
fuel may be used in the areas closed to fires. Building, maintaining,
attending or using or any fire, campfire or natural fuel stove
(i.e.'Zip' stove) is prohibited within the elevational closures.
This prohibition includes use of fire pans and/or wood or charcoal
brought in from outside the closure area.
Please contact our wilderness
permit issuing offices for further details. Violations of regulations
under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 36, may result
in a citation and fine. Official orders authorizing regulation enforcement
are available in the Forest
and District Offices.
PETS IN THE WILDERNESS
Domestic pets are allowed in wilderness areas. You are responsible
for their actions as well as their welfare. Pets should either be
leashed or under direct voice control. When camping in areas with
other visitors, pets should be kept on a leash. Wilderness visitor’s
who plan to travel into an adjacent National Park should be aware
that National Parks do not permit pets.
REGULATIONS/PERMITS
Wilderness
permits are required year-round
on the Sierra National Forest
for all overnight trips into the Kaiser,
Dinkey Lakes, John Muir and Ansel
Adams Wildernesses. Day-use in wilderness
does not require a permit. There
is a $5.00 non-refundable reservation
fee for each person for all trails.
There is a $10.00 charge for any changes
to a confirmed reservation. For
trips exiting at Mt. Whitney there is
a $15.00 fee. Reservations can be
made up to one-year in advance. First
come, first serve permits are free of
charge and may be obtained in person
24 hours prior to the start of your
trip.
Only everyone's effort will preserve the beauty and solitude of
the Wilderness experience. Please do your part and abide by the
following:
- Maximum group size is 15 people.
- Camp at least 100 feet from stream banks, and lakeshores.
- Do not shortcut switchbacks.
- Keep soaps and detergents (including biodegradable ones) out
of lakes and streams.
- Treat stream or lake water before using. Boil at least 5 minutes
to remove harmful organisms.
- Bury all human waste and toilet paper 6 to 8 inches deep, at
least 100 feet from water where runoff won't carry contamination
into lakes or streams.
- Use gas stoves in the high country. Do not use wood from live
or dead standing trees.
- Pack out all your trash.
For further information on regulations,
permits, and conditions for
the John Muir, Ansel Adams, Dinkey, and Kaiser Wilderness areas
contact:
High Sierra Ranger District
Post Office Box 559
Prather, CA 93651
(559) 855-5360 TDD (559) 855-5367
For information on permits,
regulations and conditions in the Ansel
Adams Wilderness area north of the San Joaquin River contact:
Bass Lake Ranger District
57003 Road 225
North Fork, CA 93643
(559)-877-2218
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