Sierra Nevada - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Devil's Postpile-Iron Lake

On August 19-23, 1992 I backpacked from Devil's Postpile National Monument to Cargyle Meadow and day hiked several nearby places including to Iron Lake near Iron Mountain which I did not climb. During the trip lightning started the Rainbow Fire below Reds Meadow on August 21, 1992.

Alstot Lake looking toward Iron Mountain - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Alstot Lake looking toward Iron Mountain - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Flowers above Alstot Lake on way to Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Flowers above Alstot Lake on way to Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

Flowers and mine pipes at Iron Pond - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Flowers and mine pipes at Iron Pond - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Flowers at Iron Pond on way to Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Flowers at Iron Pond on way to Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

Iron Pond looking toward Iron Mountain - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Iron Pond looking toward Iron Mountain - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

Looking toward Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak over Iron Creek - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Looking toward Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak over Iron Creek
Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Looking toward the mine over Iron Pond - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Looking toward the mine over Iron Pond - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

Note: The lake I call "Iron Pond" is unnamed on the map. It appears to have been constructed or enlarged as part of the nearby mining operation.

Looking toward North Fork San Joaquin River over Iron Creek - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Looking toward North Fork San Joaquin River over Iron Creek
Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

Iron Pond from saddle above Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Iron Pond from saddle above Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Campsite at Iron Pond - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Campsite at Iron Pond - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Iron Lake and Iron Mountain - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Iron Lake and Iron Mountain - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Iron Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Looking north on trail from Iron Lake to Alstot Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Looking north on trail from Iron Lake to Alstot Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

Above Alstot Lake on Iron Lake trail - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Above Alstot Lake on Iron Lake trail - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Descending to Alstot Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992
Descending to Alstot Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Aug 1992

From Iron Lake I could see the smoke. Back at camp a man and his son passed through headed for Fresno since they believed the trail to Reds Meadow was blocked by fire.

I headed out for King Creek and found that the fire was burning near the trail. I decided to take an alternate route via the Fern Lake trail which continued north into upper King Creek and then east to the Ansel Adams Trail near Johnson Meadow north of Reds Meadow/Devil's Postpile.

The route was smoky but no visible flames as I arrived at the Ansel Adams Trail. I considered going north on the Ansel Adams Trail but since I was out of food I decided to go south toward Devil's Postpile hoping for no flames on that trail. There was only smoke and I crossed the San Joaquin River bridge at Devil's Postpile and returned to my car .. surprising a Ranger who told me they were about to have my car towed.

On my way out on the road to Minaret Summit I observed a number of city style fire trucks parked at the top ready to descend to Reds Meadow Resort/Devil's Postpile if needed for structure protection. Fortunately the fire was stopped before reaching the developed area.

Devil's Postpile - Iron Lake Trip map
Devil's Postpile-Iron Lake itinerary 1
Devil's Postpile-Iron Lake itinerary 2
Devil's Postpile-Iron Lake itinerary 3