Rush Creek trail head at the Silver Lake campground, about 10 miles off Highway 395. There is a 'quota' for this entry into Ansel Adams Wilderness set to 35 (of which 21 are reservable), but even in the mid August we easily got a walk-in permit without reservation. Spooky Meadow is behind the U-notch on the right side of the picture.
Southern part of the Silver Lake valley from the trail. Here you enter the Wilderness.
Carson Peak (10909 ft) from the trail.
First view of a rail track for a tramway that serves hydro-electric power plants at Agnew and Gem Lakes. The part of the track that crosses the trail is currently under repair, but the upper part, between Agnew Lake and Gem Lake, is actively used. Rush Creek falls are visible on the far left of the picture (see a larger version).
A gaging station near the Agnew Lake outlet. You leave the Gem Lake trail here. Look for a sign to "Clark Lakes". Cross the rail and Rush Creek over a new wide foot bridge near a dam, and continue along the east side of Agnew Lake.
Southern part of Agnew Lake from the trail. Rush Creek cascades from Gem to Agnew Lakes. The Gem Lake dam and the tram track are clearly visible.
Trail climbs along the west side of Agnew Lake over talus. There is one long straight stretch to the group of pine trees in the middle of the picture, then 14 switchbacks to the U-notch, which is at the mouth of Spooky Meadow.
View back to the Agnew Lake dam. The Gem Lake trail is visible on the other bank. Mono Lake could be seen on a larger version of the picture.
An old pine tree, and a good spot to pause before the switchbacks.
A gate at the entrance to Spooky Meadow.
Beautiful Upper Spooky Meadow.
The first view of Yosemite peaks from Spooky Pass, the highest point on the trail. The snowy peaks to the left belong to the Mt. Lyell group.
Northwest view from Spooky Pass. The clouds were not in the forecast for that day.
It took us almost three hours to reach this point. The trail now descends towards the first of several Clark Lakes. Banner Peak emerges above trees on the left side of the picture.
