A Backpack Cross-Country Traverse of the Minarets

Mammoth Mountain at the end of this section of the San Joaquin canyon. To the left of the mid-canyon rock rib is a lake.

Agnew Meadow

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

Amongst the cooler trees, the trail finds the fancy wooden bridge (~8110 Feet) over the young San Joaquin River. The area is unremarkable, but not uninteresting. It looks undoubtedly like lower altitude forest with a strong east-side Sierra influence with desert community plants. Now more in trees, the trail follows the river downward, but on the far side of a granite ridge that separates the river from a small swampy lake called Olaine Lake (see below).

The San Joaquin River bridge.

Olaine Lake near the San Joaquin River, looking in the direction of Shadow Lake.

The drop from Agnew Meadow into the San Joaquin River canyon with the cut to Shadow Lake in the distance.

The beginning of the drop into the San Joaquin River canyon near Agnew Meadow and a sign for the Ansel Adams Wilderness. This is looking directly at the cut to Shadow Lake.

Agnew Meadow and nearly the end of the trail. On the right horizon, one of the "Two Teats".

Once beyond the lake, the trail flattens out for a good distance and reaches a junction to Agnew Meadow. Beyond the junction the trail begins a rise up the canyon wall to Agnew Meadow. High up on the side of the canyon the trail flattens out again near the Ansel Adams Wilderness sign, proceeds past big green Agnew Meadow, and from there it is just a matter of following the right signs to the bus stop, where the shuttle bus can take you back to Mammoth Ski area, parking lot and hotel.

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