Hiking the John Muir Trail to Garnet Lake was one of the highlights of the trip. The trail continues on to Thousand Island Lake, but we didn't have the time or energy to push that far, so we settled for Garnet Lake instead. It's just as beautiful as Thousand Island Lake but far less crowded. We found a perfect campsite with our own beachfront view right on the water. That evening, as we were finishing dinner, the clouds suddenly lit up over Banner Peak in an incredible cotton candy sunset. The best part? I barely had to move to grab my tripod, the shot was right there from camp. The colors reflected perfectly on the calm, clear water of Garnet Lake. Views like this make the 18-mile backpacking trek and 2,000 feet of elevation gain completely worth it. Limited edition fine art print available, bringing this Garnet Lake sunset magic straight to your wall.
