Stranded Backpacking During The Creek Fires - Ansel Adams Wilderness, California
We started our backpacking trip full of excitement and joy. I was taking my two sons and their friends on their first backpacking journey into the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest, California. Little did we know that day we left that we would find ourselves stranded in one of the most violent forest fires that erupted in the California Sierras in early September of 2020 (To see the video click here}.
Our first two days were magical, and the scenery was beautiful. After having breakfast, we left Vanderberg Lake and headed towards Lillian Lake, a large lake situated at 8,500 feet above sea level in the beautiful Ansel Adams Wilderness in the California Sierras immediately south of Yosemite National Park.
That morning we noticed some smoke and since no forest fires had been reported nearby when we left the car, we assumed it was smoke carried from one of the fires elsewhere in California. Little did we know that lightning had struck the prior night and started the Creek Fire #creekfire about 20 miles from where we were.
We arrived Lillian Lake right before noon, we set up camp and were enjoying the lake and its majestic views with the Sierras surrounding it and beautiful trees and forest. The smoke persisted and by 12 noon it was noticeably heavier. By 1pm hurricane like winds tore through our campsite as ash rained down on us under lightning and thunder. We were completely caught by surprise. The smoke became unbearable and dark skies formed by the smoke.
By 3pm in the afternoon it was pitch black. Night had fallen upon us as a deadly silence filled the air and the winds stopped howling. We were scared, my children started to panic and suggested we ditch everything and leave right away. But where? would we be walking towards the fire? could we walk 7 miles back to the car with so much smoke?
I instructed everyone to start packing and be ready at my command to leave as I headed in search for the fire or a forest ranger to get some information. Thankfully, the forest rangers appeared with their shovels, helmets, axes, and gear and immediately told us to leave. The fire had started 20 miles away the night before but had grown at an incredible speed and was approaching our way..
We waited for the smoke to clear a little and for some light to come through the black sky. By 4pm there was some light and we decided to quickly leave and sadly noticed the lake completely covered by a thick layer of ash. Our journey back to the car would be long and mentally challenging as we walked under a heavy sky full of smoke with an ominous orange glow.
We arrived our car by 9:30 pm exhausted but glad to see the car which was completely covered in ash. As we started driving we realized that the only two exit roads were engulfed in flames. Thankfully the forest service rangers were there and proceeded to lead us through three hours of backroads through the forest to where we would be handed over to the State police who would guide us to safety. We learned after that our car was only 7 miles from the fire and at one point looked back in horror as we saw the forest engulfed in flames.
This was the first time I had ever been rescued from a forest fire and walked away realizing how much more I needed to learn what to do when a fire erupts while backpacking. Most important lesson was making sure I had a way of contacting the outside world. Next time I would carry a satellite phone with me.