CA 41 TO SOUTH OF YOSEMITE TRIPS

This region includes trips departing from a trio of trailheads just south of Yosemite’s border. From west to east, they are the Quartz Mountain Trailhead, Fernandez and Walton Trailheads, and Isberg Trailhead. These trailheads all sit within the mighty San Joaquin River drainage, a region mostly included in the companion guide Sierra South. However, the trails departing from these trailheads either mostly lead quickly into Yosemite or visit the peak-ringed cirque basins just south of the park boundary and are better paired with Yosemite’s hikes. Only Trip 69, leading from the Isberg Trailhead to Hemlock Crossing on the North Fork San Joaquin River visits the river.

From Quartz Mountain Trailhead you quickly cross into Yosemite at Chiquito Pass and then journey to the Chain Lakes, the justifiably popular lake basin in southeastern Yosemite.

The Fernandez Trailhead leads into the far northwestern corner of Ansel Adams Wilderness, where a plethora of lake basins await. Far less crowded than similarly accessable areas off Tioga Road (CA 120; Tuolumne Meadows area), the scenery is every bit as enticing. The Lillian Lakes Loop is written up here, but it’s only the first of several spurs you could take. Note: the Walton Trail departs along a second trail from the same parking lot.

Third is the popular Isberg Trailhead, offering access to a succession of lakes within Ansel Adams Wilderness and onward into Yosemite via Isberg Pass. It is also the starting point to travel to the North Fork San Joaquin River, one of the Sierra’s hidden gems; you get to experience it for a length downstream from Hemlock Crossing to Sheep Crossing.

Trailheads: Quartz Mountain

Fernandez and Walton

Isberg