I've day hiked a ways up Lyell Canyon and overnight hiked to 1000 Island and Minaret Lake on various occasions by different routes (1000 at least), but oddly never by the JMT. Still, the whole area's so scenic, it's pretty hard to go wrong. You may want to tag Banner along the way. Re Lyell Canyon: I know a lot of people climbing Lyell camp on the north side of Donahue Pass where Lyell Creek intersects it, and that's supposed to be nice.

butitsadryheat wrote:Looking at Reds Meadow to Tuolumne via JMT. Any nice spots to avoid the crowds around Thousand Island/Garnet Lake? How crowded does Ediza get? Any nice spots to share in Lyell Canyon? Never been to the area other than dayhikes. This will be a 3 day backpack in late July. I realize it will be very busy in this area during this time period, so I wanted to see if you all had some suggestions about spots off the beaten trail

Thanks in advance

Walk 200 yards off the trail and you generally won't see anybody. The camping and fishing is much better at Garnet than Ediza.

If you do camp near Ediza, there is a lovely valley just above the lake and below Ritter and Banner that would be a great place to ditch the crowds, though you might occassionally see someone pass by on their way to climb Ritter or Banner. I've never camped there, but it sure looked appealing.

If you are not deadset on Lyell Canyon, you might go over Parker Pass. Far fewer people and awesome scenery.

For what it's worth, although I've not been blown away by the Parker Pass area, it is somewhat charming (and rather surreal).

Dave K wrote:If you do camp near Ediza, there is a lovely valley just above the lake and below Ritter and Banner that would be a great place to ditch the crowds, though you might occassionally see someone pass by on their way to climb Ritter or Banner. I've never camped there, but it sure looked appealing.

I think I know where you mean .. I've camped in this area -- very nice. I went with a group that did R/B and then a cross-country route over to Thousand Island via Garnet. There are some very quiet places along the way.

I thought that one isn't allowed to camp at Garnet. If it were possible, that is a spectacular location... While it seems like it would definitely be a detour, Cecile Lake is directly below the Minarets, & is pretty spectacular. Lower down, with more trees, Minaret Lake is a bit more frequented (but still not very), & beautiful. North of Ritter/Banner & right below is Lake Catherine- I remember remarking to myself when we went up there from 1,000 Island that it would be awesome to camp there (N face of Ritter is close too!). Like has been mentioned, the area is so beautiful, you can't go wrong (you just have to share with others).

Cecile Lake


Lake Catherine

Rodgers Lake has a use trail to it, is quite beautiful, and has superb wildflowers.

Since you are leaving from Reds instead of the JMT I'd reccomend Minaret Lake..Cecile..Iceberg..Ediza loop. Distance wise, it's about the same to Ediza as the JMT..with much much better views and very few people

Gary Schenk wrote:

Dingus Milktoast wrote:Its easy class 3 but no place for the timid.

Yeah, but well worth the effort.

What are we talking about? Ritter's N. Face? I'd call that pretty funky class 3. The old Roper guide described it as a hazardous route that has claimed many lives. Well worth doing, however, if you have the chops.

For Ediza you are allowed to camp on the West side of the lake, but not the East side

Folks... I just completed a backpack from Agnews Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows (we ended up at the Mono Peak Trailhead).

First night we camped at Gem Lake
Second night at Algers Lake
Third night at Summit Lake (after going over Mono Pass)

We left our cars at the trailhead in Tuolumne, and got a ride via Lucas at MAWS Transportation:
Lucas Ropke
Owner & Operator
1(760)709-2927
MAWS Transportation,LLC
PO BOX 7948
Mammoth Lakes,CA 93546-7948
Skype: lucasropke
www.mawshuttle.com

He was awesome -- showed up on-time (he was there when we arrived), his van was spotless, carried 7 guys plus packs with some room to spare, and was the pinncacle of service. He took us first to pick up our permits, offered to stop someplace for breakfast, etc. AWESOME and I'd highly recommend him if you need shuttling in the Mammoth/Yosemite area.