Stella and Frank prepare for the start of our hike at Agnew Meadows trailhead.
Frank and Stella descend into the cold river canyon.
We start up the trail to Shadow Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
San Joaquin River at low flow
Stella on the Shadow Lake Trail
Mammoth Mountain is in the background.
Frank on the Shadow Lake Trail
Mammoth Mountain is in the background.
San Joaquin River Canyon from Shadow Lake Trail
Mammoth Mountain is in the background.
Bill presses up toward Shadow Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Bill pauses on the trail up to Shadow Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank and Stella on the Shadow Lake Trail
In the background are San Joaquin Mountain (l) and one of the Teats.
Shadow Lake in morning light.
Bill enjoys the shore of Shadow Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Bill and Stella on the trail near Shadow Lake
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Orange soil
Frank and Stella on the trail to Ediza Lake
Volcanic Ridge is in the background.
Stella crosses Shadow Creek on the route to Cabin Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
A blaze marks the route to Cabin Lake.
Bill climbs over the crux of this route to Cabin Lake.
I would not have wanted to be carrying a heavy pack on this route! Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank and Stella consider their options at the crux of the climb.
Frank and Stella rejoin at the top of the crux.
But, we still have more to climb.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Stella climbs over rocks and manages somehow with her hat in front of her face.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Campsite at Cabin Lake
Bill removes burrs from his socks.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Stella pauses at Cabin Meadow.
Bill enjoys lunch at Cabin Meadow.
Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak are in the background. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Bill starts climbing along our planned route.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Stella climbs along the route.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Bill makes his way gradually to the bottom of a steep chute.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
View up the Class 3 chute
We turned back here as the rocks were large and loose, and we could not be sure the route went through.
Frank and Stella in the Class 3 chute.
Ritter, Banner, and Ediza lake are in the distance.
Bill spots Stella on a part of the descent.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Stella descends near glowing willow.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank and Stella head west through Cabin Meadow.
View of Class 2 route up Volcanic Ridge (left)
Bill, Frank, and Stella between Cabin Lake and Ediza Lake
Ritter (l) and Banner are in the background.
Bill climbs down a short chute in the cliff.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank watches Stella climb down the short chute.
Stella waits for Frank to climb down.
Stella and Frank at the top of the next set of domed slabs.
Bill makes a direct path for Ediza Lake.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Ediza Lake below Ritter and Banner
The route goes down a grassy slope.
...through a short patch of willow and across some talus...
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Bill and Stella pump water from Ediza Lake.
Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak are in the background. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank and Stella at Ediza Lake
Stella on the trail beside Ediza Lake
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank and Stella rest near the outlet of Ediza Lake.
The old bridge broken asunder by overweight hikers, no doubt.
Current crossing of Shadow Creek near Ediza Lake
In higher water, these stones would be submerged.
Bill takes a sit-down break.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Golden grass and willow alongside Shadow Creek
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank and Stella descend past a handsome cedar tree.
Frank and Stella near the outlet of Shadow Lake
Bill photographs the canyon in late afternoon.
San Joaquin Mountain and one of the Two Teats lie above. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank and Stella start down from Shadow Lake.
Stella enjoys the view into the canyon.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Bill descends the trail.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank and Stella descend.
Mammoth Mountain from Shadow Lake Trail
Climbing the trail to Agnew Meadow
Mammoth Mountain is in the background.
Tired hikers are happy to be at the end of the hike.