Thousand Island Lake, Alpine lake in Madera County, US
Thousand Island Lake is an alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada at about 9,843 feet (2997 meters) elevation. The water is dotted with numerous small rocky islands that give the lake its distinctive appearance.
Theodore Solomons named and mapped this lake in 1896, while John Muir had previously referred to it by another name. The lake was carved by glaciers into a mountain cirque over thousands of years.
Photographer Ansel Adams captured Banner Peak at Thousand Island Lake in his 1927 portfolio Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras.
The lake is accessible via several hiking trails, including the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Overnight camping requires permits, and visitors should prepare for the harsh alpine climate conditions.
The lake serves as the source of the Middle Fork San Joaquin River, feeding a major water system of the region. Photographers prize the views of surrounding peaks, especially in alpine morning light.
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