How to Get a Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) Permit
Ediza Lake sits directly under the Minarets, and this is the permit that gets you there.
Check Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) permit availabilityRecreation.gov permit 233262 lists a $6 Inyo reservation fee plus a $5 per-person fee. Every visitor to Reds Meadow Valley also pays a transportation fee that covers the mandatory shuttle bus.
Permit Cost
2-4 days
Duration
moderate
Difficulty
About Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow)
Shadow Creek is an Inyo National Forest wilderness entry point at Agnew Meadows in Reds Meadow Valley, leading to Shadow, Ediza and Iceberg Lakes under the Minarets and Mount Ritter. Inyo's quota season runs May 1 to November 1 in 2026, with reservations opening six months in advance at 7 am Pacific and additional permits released two weeks ahead. The Reds Meadow road and shuttle set the practical season. This permit does not include entry on the River Trail beyond the Shadow Creek junction, though Inyo notes it may include exit on the River or High Trail. Check the area map before booking, because three different permits leave from Agnew Meadows.
Inyo National Forest describes this trail following Shadow Creek to glacier fed lakes at the base of the Minarets and Mount Ritter. Ediza and Iceberg Lakes are two of the most photographed places in the Sierra, and Shadow Creek is the entry point that reaches them.
The Experience
The first three miles along the valley are easy and shaded. Then the trail turns up Shadow Creek and climbs beside a cascade to Shadow Lake, and from there the Minarets appear and keep getting bigger until you are camped under them at Ediza.
Starting from Agnew Meadows, shuttle bus stop number 1, the Shadow Creek and River trails are combined for the first three miles. At the trail junction near Olaine Lake you follow the Shadow Creek trail past Shadow Lake to join the John Muir Trail.
From there you can continue up Shadow Creek to Ediza and Iceberg Lakes, or turn north or south on the John Muir Trail.
Camping is tightly restricted where the pressure is highest: no camping at Shadow Lake, along Shadow Creek, or on the east side of Ediza Lake. Campfires are prohibited at Shadow, Ediza and Iceberg Lakes and above 10,000 feet. The permit does not include entry on the River Trail beyond the Shadow Creek junction, though it may include exit on the River or High Trail.
What to Expect
A start at Agnew Meadows, shuttle stop number 1, with a mandatory shuttle into Reds Meadow Valley
Three shared miles with the River Trail before the Olaine Lake junction
Ediza and Iceberg Lakes under the Minarets and Mount Ritter
No camping at Shadow Lake, along Shadow Creek, or on the east side of Ediza Lake
A quota season from May 1 to November 1, plus a two-week release
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Permit Requirements
No campfires at Shadow, Ediza or Iceberg Lakes, and no campfires above 10,000 feet
No camping at Shadow Lake, Shadow Creek, or the east side of Ediza Lake
Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash
This permit does not include entry on the River Trail beyond the Shadow Creek junction
Maximum group size is 15
Not recommended for stock beyond Ediza Lake
Ansel Adams Wilderness regulations apply, and Yosemite wilderness regulations apply if you enter the park
All visitors to Reds Meadow Valley pay a transportation fee that allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •A bear canister - Inyo requires containers for food and trash here
- •A stove, since fires are banned at all three lakes and above 10,000 feet
- •Water treatment
- •Warm layers for camps under the Minarets, which stay cold
Hazards & Safety
Bears in the Reds Meadow backpacker parking, where Inyo reports vehicle break-ins for food in 2026
Afternoon thunderstorms in an exposed basin under the Minarets
Snow lingering above Ediza into midsummer
Shuttle timing at the start and end of the trip
Best Time to Visit
The quota season runs May 1 to November 1, but the road and shuttle govern access. Mid-July through September is the reliable window, and September gives the sharpest light on the Minarets.
Pro Tips
Camp back from Ediza's east shore, which is closed, and walk to Iceberg at first light
Never leave food in your car at Reds Meadow - Inyo reports bears breaking into vehicles there in 2026
Fires are out at all three lakes, so a stove is mandatory
Enter on Shadow Creek and exit on the High Trail for two different days
Build day one and the last day around the shuttle schedule
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) permit?
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Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow)?
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The quota season runs May 1 to November 1, but the road and shuttle govern access. Mid-July through September is the reliable window, and September gives the sharpest light on the Minarets.
How difficult is Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow)?
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Backpackers and photographers who want to camp under the Minarets, on a short approach.
What gear do I need for Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow)?
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Essential gear includes: A bear canister - Inyo requires containers for food and trash here, A stove, since fires are banned at all three lakes and above 10,000 feet, Water treatment, Warm layers for camps under the Minarets, which stay cold.
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