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Inyo NF Wilderness Permit — Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow)
Inyo National Forest · California
Each entry point carries its own quota
Wilderness permit for entry via Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) in Inyo National Forest. Access to John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) were gone within 10 minutes.
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Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
CostRecreation.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.
Max Group Size15 people
Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) in Inyo National Forest, California requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) runs May 1 through November 1.
- Cancelled Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonMay 1 - November 1
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationEastern Sierra, CA
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
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Varies
Duration
2-4 days
Difficulty
ModerateHighlights
- •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
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !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
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: Extreme heat (104°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
- UV index 8. High altitude sun is intense—sunscreen and hat essential.
- Tomorrow: Extreme heat (107°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
Today
☀️
104°
85°
Sun
☀️
107°
83°
Mon
☀️
98°
78°
Tue
☀️
97°
81°
Wed
☀️
96°
81°
Thu
☁️
97°
83°
Fri
☀️
102°
87°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create an account before permits drop
Find this permit on the managing agency's booking system and set up an account with your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: Mid-July through SeptemberShoulder: Early July and early October
Conditions
Warm valley walking, cold nights at the lakes, storms in the afternoon.
Crowd Level
ExtremeAdvantages
- +The best Minaret views on the east side
- +Ediza and Iceberg both reachable
- +JMT connection north or south
Challenges
- !One of the most-visited basins in the range
- !Tight camping restrictions around the lakes
- !Mosquitoes at Ediza in early summer
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Backpackers and photographers who want to camp under the Minarets, on a short approach.
Recommended Experience
A previous overnight at altitude.
Not Recommended For
Parties expecting to enter on the River Trail past the Shadow Creek junction, which this permit does not allow.
About This Permit
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.
The Experience
Why It Matters
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 Route
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.
The Feeling
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.
Rules & Regulations
- •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 Checklist
Required
- 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
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow)
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
Agnew Meadows
Shuttle stop number 1. Shadow Creek and River trails share the first three miles.
Olaine Lake junction
Where the Shadow Creek trail splits from the River Trail.
Shadow Lake
No camping here or along Shadow Creek.
Ediza Lake
Under the Minarets. No camping on the east side, no campfires.
Safety & Planning
Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) FAQ
Can I camp at Ediza Lake on a Shadow Creek permit?
Yes, but not on the east side of the lake, and not at Shadow Lake or along Shadow Creek. Inyo also prohibits campfires at Shadow, Ediza and Iceberg Lakes.
Can I start on the River Trail with a Shadow Creek permit?
Not beyond the Shadow Creek junction. Inyo states this permit does not include entry on the River Trail past that junction, though it may include exit on the River or High Trail.
How do I get to the Shadow Creek trailhead?
Agnew Meadows is shuttle stop number 1 in Reds Meadow Valley. Inyo states all visitors to Reds Meadow Valley pay a transportation fee that allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus.
Can I join the John Muir Trail from Shadow Creek?
Yes. Inyo says the Shadow Creek trail passes Shadow Lake to join the John Muir Trail, from where you may go north or south.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise on Banner Peak and Mount Ritter from Ediza Lake.
Best Light
Late afternoon at Iceberg Lake, when the Minarets go into full relief.
Beat the Crowds
Camp legally back from Ediza's east shore and walk up to Iceberg at dawn, before the day traffic arrives from Agnew Meadows.
Classic Shots
- 📍The Minarets reflected in Ediza Lake
- 📍Iceberg Lake below the Minaret headwall
- 📍Shadow Lake with Volcanic Ridge behind
Can't Get a Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
High Trail
Same AreaThe PCT high line from the same trailhead, joining the JMT near Thousand Island Lake.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Bigger views on the approach, but it does not reach Ediza directly.
River Trail (Agnew Meadow)
Same AreaThe valley-floor route up the San Joaquin from the same trailhead.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Easier walking and a separate reservation, with fewer people.
Minaret Lake
Similar ExperienceThe other lake directly under the Minarets, reached from Devils Postpile.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A steeper approach and a separate permit, with far fewer people at the lake.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Shadow Creek (Agnew Meadow) trip
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