Sierra backpacking: Ansel Adams Wilderness

Brothers EJ and Jeff Winter walk along the dusty trail of Garnet Lake with a view of Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak in the distance.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Spectacular scenery and deep granite-walled gorges surround Thousand Island Lake.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Afternoon storm clouds move over Banner Peak, elevation 12,936 feet.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

From Garnet Lake, off the trail, you can cross a stream to its neighbor Thousand Island Lake. The backpacking trip consisted of a 14-mile round-trip through various trails, towering granite walls and majestic lake views. The three hikers set up base camp at Garnet Lake and day-hiked to Thousand Island Lake.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Mushrooms grow in the shade below a tree trunk along a river trail.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

A tiny tree frog is found along the trail between Garnet and Thousand Island lakes.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Ken Hively relaxes at Thousand Island Lake, cleansing his mind of the daily clutter of life back home.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Jeff Winter fishes below Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak. The threesome packed what they needed for five days of survival on the trail hoping that daily fishing would provide their main food staple.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

A brook trout is caught with a fishing lure in Garnet Lake, and released unharmed.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

A bear print marks the shoreline of Ruby Lake, a day hike from Garnet Lake. A bear appeared outside the backpackers’ tent the first night of their trip. He sniffed and snorted through their belongings trying to tear open canisters but left grunting in defeat. The hikers never heard another sound from the curious intruder for the rest of their trip. The only disturbance they encountered was the snoring of one of their tent mates.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak are reflected in Garnet Lake.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Jeff and EJ Winter fish for trout at Garnet Lake. Meanwhile, Ken Hively photographed the surroundings.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

EJ Winter stokes the fire in preparation of cooking fresh-caught trout.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Jeff and EJ Winter walk through dense pine trees heading back to Agnew Meadows, which is minutes from Mammoth Mountain.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

From left, Jeff and EJ Winter and Ken Hively celebrate at the end of another journey.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)