TR: PCT High Trail, TI Lake/Garnet/Ediza Loop
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 1:18 pm
Hi Folks,
Never been more than a lurker here but I replied to a PM from someone regarding some Thousand Island/Garnet/Ediza Lake questions and they found the response helpful and suggested I share it here in case anyone else had questions or could benefit from this.
Below is my reply regarding a loop hike that I did with a somewhat inexperienced (though very fit) group. The itinerary in a nutshell is:
Day 1: PCT High Trail to TI Lake (camp north side of lake at about half way to the end of lake)
Day 2: Use trail to west side of TI Lake, x-country over saddle to small lake above Garnet (camp at high spot above Garnet lake)
Day 3: Whitebark Pass x-country to Nydiver lakes then down to Ediza Lake (camp Ediza Lake)
Day 4: Shadow Creek trail back to Agnew Meadows
I led a group on a 4-day/3-night trek and it was fantastic! We hiked out on the PCT High trail to Thousand Island Lake..it was a beautiful trail and yes, it has fantastic views across the valley to Shadow Lake, the Minaret Range as well as Banner/Ritter. I would definitely recommend the high trail for its beauty. We camped on the north side of Thousand Island lake the first night and it was very nice, though a bit crowded.
Day 2 we continued to hike to the west side of Thousand Island Lake and went over the off-trail saddle to a little lake above Garnet Lake. It is a very easy traverse and nice to get off the beaten path. Night 2 we spent at a beautiful site above Garnet Lake. We didn't hike down to Garnet Lake proper as we wanted to maintain our elevation but our site was at the far west side looking over the entirety of Garnet...stunning lake and not another person in sight. We did meet some folks that base camped at Garnet and had nothing but great things to say about the lake. I didn't get the impression that it was crowded either.
Day 3 we went off trail again over Whitebark Pass (difficult with 30+lbs packs) over to the Nydiver Lakes then down to Ediza Lake for Night 3. We got into Ediza around 2:30-3:00 and it was already getting difficult to find a site. That said...I needed space for several tents. If you have one or two you should be fine. There are lots of spots at Ediza up in the trees but we were able to get one at the far end of the campable area very close to the lake. With that said, Ediza Lake and the area around it is one of the most beautiful backcountry sites I have ever been to. While there were certainly more people present it was such a beautiful place that I can not help but recommend it. The panoramas alone are worth at least going by there.
Day 4 we hiked out the Shadow Creek trail by Shadow lake and back to Agnew Meadows. Hiking out was pretty much all downhill....all I can say is that I am glad I was not going up it! While the PCT High Trail had a lot of switchbacks to gain elevation it eventually flattened out and was not hard going. The Shadow Creek trail to Ediza is pretty much uphill the whole way. I can't speak to the river trail though.
I would summarize your question as Ediza = Amazing Vistas but more crowded and Garnet = Very nice vistas (not quite Ediza) but fewer people than Ediza...which might even out the score depending on what you are looking for. If I had to choose a trail out of Thousand Island Lakes I would probably choose the high trail as it had spectacular views and was a very nice walk. When all is said and done, the area is so amazing that I think you will have a fantastic trip any way go.
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Hopefully this is of help to someone planning a trip to the area. This was my first time there and I was blown away by the beauty. Having backpacked in AK, CO, TX, NM, AZ, NH, ME, and Canada this sits at the top of my list without hesitation! I will definitely be back for something longer next time.
If you have any follow-up questions please do not hesitate to PM me and I am more than happy to share any information I may have with you.
Never been more than a lurker here but I replied to a PM from someone regarding some Thousand Island/Garnet/Ediza Lake questions and they found the response helpful and suggested I share it here in case anyone else had questions or could benefit from this.
Below is my reply regarding a loop hike that I did with a somewhat inexperienced (though very fit) group. The itinerary in a nutshell is:
Day 1: PCT High Trail to TI Lake (camp north side of lake at about half way to the end of lake)
Day 2: Use trail to west side of TI Lake, x-country over saddle to small lake above Garnet (camp at high spot above Garnet lake)
Day 3: Whitebark Pass x-country to Nydiver lakes then down to Ediza Lake (camp Ediza Lake)
Day 4: Shadow Creek trail back to Agnew Meadows
I led a group on a 4-day/3-night trek and it was fantastic! We hiked out on the PCT High trail to Thousand Island Lake..it was a beautiful trail and yes, it has fantastic views across the valley to Shadow Lake, the Minaret Range as well as Banner/Ritter. I would definitely recommend the high trail for its beauty. We camped on the north side of Thousand Island lake the first night and it was very nice, though a bit crowded.
Day 2 we continued to hike to the west side of Thousand Island Lake and went over the off-trail saddle to a little lake above Garnet Lake. It is a very easy traverse and nice to get off the beaten path. Night 2 we spent at a beautiful site above Garnet Lake. We didn't hike down to Garnet Lake proper as we wanted to maintain our elevation but our site was at the far west side looking over the entirety of Garnet...stunning lake and not another person in sight. We did meet some folks that base camped at Garnet and had nothing but great things to say about the lake. I didn't get the impression that it was crowded either.
Day 3 we went off trail again over Whitebark Pass (difficult with 30+lbs packs) over to the Nydiver Lakes then down to Ediza Lake for Night 3. We got into Ediza around 2:30-3:00 and it was already getting difficult to find a site. That said...I needed space for several tents. If you have one or two you should be fine. There are lots of spots at Ediza up in the trees but we were able to get one at the far end of the campable area very close to the lake. With that said, Ediza Lake and the area around it is one of the most beautiful backcountry sites I have ever been to. While there were certainly more people present it was such a beautiful place that I can not help but recommend it. The panoramas alone are worth at least going by there.
Day 4 we hiked out the Shadow Creek trail by Shadow lake and back to Agnew Meadows. Hiking out was pretty much all downhill....all I can say is that I am glad I was not going up it! While the PCT High Trail had a lot of switchbacks to gain elevation it eventually flattened out and was not hard going. The Shadow Creek trail to Ediza is pretty much uphill the whole way. I can't speak to the river trail though.
I would summarize your question as Ediza = Amazing Vistas but more crowded and Garnet = Very nice vistas (not quite Ediza) but fewer people than Ediza...which might even out the score depending on what you are looking for. If I had to choose a trail out of Thousand Island Lakes I would probably choose the high trail as it had spectacular views and was a very nice walk. When all is said and done, the area is so amazing that I think you will have a fantastic trip any way go.
-----------------------------------------------------
Hopefully this is of help to someone planning a trip to the area. This was my first time there and I was blown away by the beauty. Having backpacked in AK, CO, TX, NM, AZ, NH, ME, and Canada this sits at the top of my list without hesitation! I will definitely be back for something longer next time.
If you have any follow-up questions please do not hesitate to PM me and I am more than happy to share any information I may have with you.