The River Trail

The River Trail starts from the second backpacking parking lot in Agnew Meadows, about 0.3 miles from the shuttle stop. It immediately joins the PCT, passes south of the actual Agnew Meadow, and climbs a very low ridge to the edge of the San Joaquin Canyon. At this point, the PCT branches to the left and heads south down the canyon. The River Trail heads north as it descends the canyon slopes to a relatively flat area away from the river. Mosquitoes can often be a real problem from here until you pass the marshy Olaine Lake. Shortly after the lake and about 2.5 miles from the start, pass the junction with the Shadow Creek Trail #614. The River Trail climbs up the east side of the canyon in two long switchbacks, because at this point the river gorge is too steep and narrow for a trail. You get only a partial view of this gorge, but a great view of Shadow Creek cascading 700 feet down from the Shadow Lake. At 4.4 miles, you'll near the river again and have good views of it most of the rest of the way. At 5 miles, we meet the junction with a trail that climbs steeply up to Agnew Pass and on to Clark Lakes.At 5.4 miles there is a very large campsite where the stream from Garnet Lake finishes dropping through innumerable falls and cascades to join the San Joaquin River. This campsite is often used by hikers and fishermen who have gear bought in by mule trains. It is an extremely beautiful campsite, but it is often crowded. There is an unmaintained and unsigned trail that climbs from here up to Garnet Lake. The trail is doable, but there is no bridge across the river. This crossing can be a very difficult and dangerous until after the snow melt. The River Trail continues to climb staying fairly close to the water until it meets the High Trail at 6.5 miles. From there it is only another mile and 200 feet of climbing to reach Thousand Island Lake.