There are scores of pristine mountain lakes, views of the Minaret mountains, and even waterfalls. You'll see wildlife including a variety of colorful birds, chipmunks, geckos and possibly a bear if you're lucky (or unlucky depending on your point of view). There are beautiful pine and fir forests and other vegetation until you reach the tree line at about 10,000 feet. There is a shuttle from Mammoth Mountain's main lodge that runs very frequently during the summer. The shuttle drops you off at Agnew Meadows and from there you walk into the mountains. WE stayed overnight at Thousand Island Lake. You're going down the whole way from Thousand Island Lake, except for the last 1.5 mile pitch back up to Agnew Meadows, which is pretty steep. Took along with a first-time backpacker who did very well but struggled both ways in the last two miles. It's a long hike, but it's worth it. Additional hidden costs to get from the Bay Area to Thousand Island Lake: 1) $30 fee to get through Yosemite Park ranger stations viaCA-120. We left the night before the date of entry so we went through after-hours ranger stations, so it was free. However, if you go through the day and pay, the pass should be good for 7 days, which should be long enough to cover you on your return route. If not, the Tioga Pass ranger station will have to pay $30 again. Good news is that both payments add up to $60 to qualify you for the $60 Yosemite Annual Pass, so now you can go anywhere in Yosemite for free and don't have to pay a fee. I'm not sure how to get the two receipts exchanged for the pass, but Rangers could probably do it then and there. Keep your receipts. My trip was under 7 days, so I paid only once. But my $30 is good for the Yosemite $60 Pass or America the Beautiful $80 Pass up to a year I think. Again, either way, save your receipts. 2) Allowances: $2/person allow reservations plus $6/group reservation fee totaling $16. Had to rent a bear canister at $2.5/day for a total of $5 for two days. Total permit and fees for two people were $21. 3) Minaret Vista ranger station fee (to get to the park from Mammoth to the Trailhead) was $10. Wish I could have stayed longer and climbed Mt. Ritter at Thousand Island Lake on Day 2, then Day 3 walk over the pass between Thousand Island Lake and Garnet Lake and camp at Garnet, then Day 4 walk to Shadow / Ediza Lakes and camp, and Day 5 walk back. Life got in the way, but it was nevertheless a great trip. I packed too much food, clothes and water as well. I walked in the same outfit and slept with a jacket in clean dry clothes. Nothing else was needed. Carried too much water (6L for 2 people) when I could have filtered along the way (didn't know that since I was never). For the first time I used my Sawyer Squeeze which was great. Thousand Lake Island water tasted as pure as it gets.
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