Shadow Lake

All photos copyrighted by Dave Chapman

After catching the Mammoth shuttle to Agnew Meadows campground, we begin our hike from an elevation of 8,300 feet. This seven-mile hike has a 1,000-foot total elevation gain, but the low altitude makes it an ideal conditioning hike.

Passing through Agnew Meadows on a cold morning in mid-September. Perfect hiking weather with no mosquitoes.

Hiking down into a canyon carved by the upper reaches of the San Joaquin River (which results in an additional 300 feet of elevation gain at the end of the day).

Switchbacks out of the valley provide us with a view of 11,000-foot Mammoth Mountain.

Small waterfall as we continue our steep ascent to Shadow Lake.

Granite steps on the upper portions of this well-maintained trail.

Final push through a field of granite.

Top of the outlet creek.

Our first glimpse of Shadow Lake.

Our lunch stop offers a view of 13,100-foot Mt. Ritter.

The Ritter Range and Minarets provide some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Sierras.

Classic Sierra view on the way back to the trailhead.

Continue to Page 2 of Sierra Hiking Trip

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