The Mountains that Made the [Wo]Man

Minarets by Peter Essick

National Geographic Magazine had a feature in their latest issue - The Mountains that Made the Man.  Photographer Peter Essick ventured in to Ansel Adams Wilderness to pay tribute to the wilderness' namesake.  The NatGeo article includes black and whites photos from Peter Essick.  If you want to see some of Ansel Adam's photos, you can go here.

In 2006, I had the privilege of hiking along the John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail from Florence Lake to Tuolumne Meadows.  Along the way we passed through Ansel Adams Wilderness.  This wilderness spans 230,000 acres of Sierra National Forest and Inyo National Forest.  The wilderness includes 14,000 foot peaks, crisp cool alpine lakes, and Devil's Postpile National Monument.

Me at Donohue Pass (below) and Peter Essick's creation at Donohue Pass (right).






















My trek past Garnet Lake (right)...beautiful day, beautiful colors.



(Below) Peter Essick's version of Garnet Lake.  AMAZING!  In my defense, Essick did have some incredible thunderheads rolling in.

There are more great photos by Peter Essick at NatGeo's website.  Check 'em out, or BETTER YET...explore Ansel Adams Wilderness first hand.  Especially you California folks; this is in your BACKYARD (metaphorically speaking).  Go see what the California wilderness is all about...without all the suburbs, RV parks, resorts, and litter.