The Trail
Trip Type: Weekend Out and Back
Trailhead to Ediza: 6 miles
Altitude Gain: 950 feet
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Traffic: Very High, guaranteed you won't be alone
WSH Trip Rating: 3 out of 5 stars: Stellar beauty!!! Downside is limited camping and high traffic.
The Hike: The trail begins quite tame and comfortable. In fact this is the only trail in the Eastern Sierra that I'm aware that's downhill for the first 2 miles. After an initial .5 mile flat stroll past Agnew Meadow and conifer forests you'll descend 350' meeting up with the Olaine outlet stream. Depending on the season this outlet stream could be dry. Reaching Olaine Lake the trail flattens out for a half mile leading you to the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin. Don't be fooled by trail tributaries leading off to the left as you reach the stream...stay right and you'll come to a substantial bridge allowing you to cross the stream safely. This stream is particularly dangerous in the early season so use the bridge. Once across the stream you'll engage the most severe ascent of the trip, gaining 750' in a mile. Most of this will be in the hot sun so plan accordingly by filling up hydration packs at the river crossing. At mile 3.5 you'll reach Shadow Lake and the first AWESOME VIEWS of Ritter and the Minarets. This particular spot is made for epic photos! The trail then skirts around the north side of Shadow Lake meeting up with the Rosalie Lake Trail on the west side of Shadow Lake. From here you follow Shadow Creek to Lake Ediza. Shadow Creek is arguably one of the most beautiful creeks I've had the pleasure to walk along in the Sierra. Fed from Lake Ediza and glacier melt the stream always flows well and creates numerous picturesque settings along the way - have your camera read! The hiking at this juncture is peaceful, undulating, and simply epic. About 300-400 yards before you reach Lake Ediza there's a foot bridge to cross Shadow Creek. In Aug of 2018 this footbridge was out. Many hikers chose to wade across Shadow Creek while other took on a short 50' pitch of class 3 boulder hoping around the north side of the Lake Ediza outlet. I suspect the Forest Service will eventually replace the bridge but until then this could deter some novice hikers so be warned.
Camping: Camping around Shadow Lake and anywhere between the trail and Shadow Creek is prohibited. There are a few spots on the north side of the trail (away from Shadow Creek) to camp if necessary. Also camping is prohibited on the East side of Lake Ediza. Given traffic into the area you'll want to get to the lake early to claim your spot, particularly on high volume summer weekends.
Trail Notes: Vehicle traffic into Agnew Meadow/Reds Meadow is controlled. Unless you're staying overnight in one of the area campgrounds you'll need to shuttle in by bus.
Getting there
Agnew Meadow is long 6 hour drive from most Bay Area and Los Angeles locations. Like all Eastern Sierra entrances find your way to the HWY 395 and take the HWY 203 exit into Mammoth Lakes. Just as you enter town make a right on Minaret Drive keeping you on HWY 203 and follow this past Mammoth Mountain Ski Area up to the Forest Service entrance kiosks. If you're staying in one of the many campgrounds at the trailhead (recommended) you'll pay a $10 entrance fee (unless you have annual pass, then it's free) to continue. Otherwise you'll need catch the SHUTTLE BUS. The trailhead and backpacker parking is located just as you enter the Angew Meadow campground - a little more than a mile past the entrance kiosk.