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STATE HIGHWAY 41 TRIPS

Fernandez Trailhead 9937’; 11S 395115 4034251

Information and Permits: This trailhead is in Sierra National Forest: 1600 Tollhouse Road, Clovis, CA 93611, 559-297-0706, www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/. Permits are required for overnight stays, and quotas apply; reserved permits and on-demand permits are available.

Driving Directions: From Yosemite Forks on Hwy. 41, 3.5 miles north of Oakhurst and about 12 miles south of Yosemite National Park, turn east on County Road 222 toward Bass Lake. Follow this road around the lake to northeast-bound Beasore Road. Turn left onto Beasore Road (Forest Road 7), which is narrow, winding, and breathtaking—and impassable in early season due to snow.

To reach the Fernandez Trailhead, drive about 27 miles past Globe Rock, the Jackass Trailhead, and, on the right, Bowler Group Campground. Continue a little under 0.6 more mile on Beasore Road to a signed junction with a dirt road north (left) to the Norris Creek and Fernandez trailheads. Turn left onto this road and go about 2 miles, crossing Norris Creek, to a junction. Here, take the right fork northeast for another mile to reach the Fernandez parking area. Find the trail at the west side of the parking area.

Note: If you are traveling from the south, you may wish to call or go online for directions to the trailhead via Minarets Road.

1 Lillian Lake

Trip Data: 11S 291480 4159942; 13.5 miles; 3/1 days

Topos: Timber Knob

Highlights: Nestled beneath Madera, Gale, and Sing peaks, just southwest of Yosemite National Park, the many lakes and easy mileage on this trip provide ample opportunity for exploring, fishing, and dayhiking in Ansel Adams Wilderness.

HEADS UP! For extended itineraries from Yosemite into the Granite Creek area via Isberg and Fernandez passes, see Wilderness Press’s Sierra North, edition nine, trips 72 and 73.

DAY 1 (Fernandez Trailhead to Vandeburg Lake, 4.5 miles): The Fernandez Trail begins a gentle northwestward ascent through a forest of white fir, Jeffrey pine, and lodgepole pine. Stay on this trail as it bypasses two lateral trails heading left (west) to the Norris Trailhead, eventually climbing high to gain an open ridgetop. Here, find a signed junction with the Lillian Lake loop: The right (east) fork goes directly to Lillian Lake; the left (west) fork goes to Vandeburg, Staniford, and the many other lakes in the Madera Creek drainage.

For this trip, turn left onto the loop and enter Ansel Adams Wilderness, admiring the grand views to the east. In a mixed forest of red fir, mountain hemlock, and lodgepole and western white pine, pass two meadows on the left, and then swing north to climb steeply up a rocky ridge. From the ridgetop, descend a short distance through hemlock forest to ford the outlet of Vandeburg Lake (8674´; 11S 292284 4158434). A little uphill to the west are the well-used campsites on the north side of this attractive lake. The farthest campsite to the northwest is within earshot of a lovely waterfall.

DAY 2 (Vandeburg Lake to Lillian Lake, 2.5 miles): This short but sweet hiking day gives you a chance to admire the views, discover the lakes, fish, and maybe even bag a peak from a basecamp on the trip’s namesake lake.

Lillian Lake

OTHER CAMPING NEAR VANDEBURG LAKE

If the campsites at Vandeburg are occupied, or if you feel like hiking farther, continue on the trail at the northwest side of Vandeburg Lake. Ascend west up slabs to a signed junction with a trail going left (southwest) to Lady Lake. Take this trail; a moderate ascent of less than 0.75 mile brings you to shady campsites on the northeast side of Lady Lake, just below Madera Peak. For Day 2, return to the junction and pick up the trail directions from that junction.

From Vandeburg Lake, continue on the trail at the northwest side of Vandeburg Lake. Ascend west up slabs to a signed junction with a trail going left (southwest) to Lady Lake. Go right (north-northwest) on the main trail as it continues up more slabs dotted with lodgepole pines. Where the trail tops a low ridge, pause to take in the expansive views of the Ritter Range to the northeast.

After a short descent to the north, arrive at the first of the Staniford Lakes. Pass a signed junction with a trail west to Chittenden and Shirley lakes. Keep going ahead (north) on the main trail, pass above the largest Staniford Lake, and ford Shirley Creek. There is excellent camping at the lakes below and above the trail near the shores of these lakes.

Continuing north across granite slabs, the trail crosses several seasonal creeks before swinging west to ford the shaded outlet of Lillian Lake. Soon, the Fernandez Trail intersects a spur to Lillian Lake; turn left (west) here and shortly reach the lake. There is no camping within 400 feet of the shoreline from the outlet for approximately a quarter mile along this spur. However, several nice campsites can be found north and west of the restricted area; there also are two additional sites across the outlet on the lake’s southern shore.

DAYHIKES AROUND LILLIAN LAKE

On a layover day, retrace your steps to the junction with the side trail to Chittenden and Shirley lakes, or go west (and uphill) on the Fernandez Pass Trail to the Fernandez Lakes, including popular Rainbow Lake (no camping). Or venture up the Post Peak Pass Trail.

DAY 3 (Lillian Lake to Fernandez Trailhead, 6.5 miles): Return to the Fernandez Trail. At the junction, turn right (south) toward the Fernandez Trailhead. At a trail junction just before the ford of Madera Creek, take the right fork eastward. During the remaining 1.5-mile walk on the loop part of this trip, curve southeast and then south, staying on the Fernandez Trail at any junctions to close the loop.

Retrace your steps southeastward to the Fernandez Trailhead from here.