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DAY 3 (Hemlock Crossing to Corral Meadow, 7 miles): Cross the bridge and turn right (south) on the descending trail that will soon rise dramatically above the river’s east bank. In less than 2 miles, switchback to meet cascading Iron Creek (campsite). The trail leaves the canyon’s edge to begin a gradual, forested ascent to Naked Lady Meadow, a marshy aspen grove that got its name from the bawdy images that lonely shepherds carved into tree trunks before the area’s 1964 wilderness designation.

The trail skirts a hillside and drops into Earthquake Meadow, where there is a nice, spring-fed stream but very poor camping. The trail meets an unmaintained lateral route to Snake Meadow; stay on the main trail (southeast) to Corral Meadow (originally known as 77 Corral after a drought in 1877 forced shepherds to seek higher, wilder grazing lands).

In just over a mile, reach the west fork of Cargyle Creek (campsites); once past its drainage, there is evidence of a 2003 fire. The trail can be hard to follow here, but continue east-southeast to stay on track to a signed junction at Corral Meadow: left (north) to Iron Lake; right (southwest) to Clover Meadow and the trailhead; ahead (east) on the eastbound Mammoth Trail, crossing small streams to reach well-established campsites on the southeast side of the meadow (7982’; 11S 308225 4160840).