A Backpack Cross-Country Traverse of the Minarets

The outlet of Shadow Lake

From Outlet to River

A Cross-Country Traverse of the Minarets, August/September 2006

Once at the end of Shadow Lake and at the outlet, the trail veers away to the north, but not before allowing hikers on the trail to have a good look at the tumbling falls of the outlet stream. For those coming up, this last dry stretch is an exposed one, and hot on a calm summer day. Then you round the corner into Shadow Lake and suddenly it is lush paradise: a real contrasts of environments. Both times in both directions I enjoyed this transition. Coming up the trail, it is not so long and steep to be really exhausting, and going down gives you plenty of time to see the sights of a very different environment.

The outlet falls of Shadow Lake. A big surprise awaits above...

The red cliffs below San Joaquin Mountain, up there where the PCT is, as seen from the trail below the Shadow Lake outlet.

Look straight up from the trail below the outlet and you can see "Two Teats". Down below, the San Joaquin River.

As you hike and descend, you cannot be unimpressed by the sudden change in surroundings that say, 'this is a dry area'. Not till you hit bottom by the San Joaquin River do you get shade trees in useful quantities.