Well, it is as long as you arrive before 7:00 am or after 7:00 pm. Ediza Lake is a lake located just 10.9 miles from Mammoth Lakes, in Madera County, in the state of California, United States, near June Lake, CA. The trail then climbed out of the valley and follows a mild trail on the mountainside with great views in the direction we’re headed. HIKE PERMIT: YES LOCATION: ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS, MAMMOTH/ EASTERN SIERRA. Ediza Lake and Mt. All of this is made possible by creating unique hand crafted longboards and t-shirts. June 1, 2015 “Gorgeous hike. THE FOLLOWING IS THE CURRENT WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE MT RITTER / BANNER PEAK / ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS AREAS AT 10,591 FT . After reaching Ediza Lake, you can either return via the way you came, or do the loop shown on this page. The snow was absolutely stunning. It is a short hike without a ton of elevation gain, perfect for my dad’s old bones. There are two different work permits available, and the one that is required is dependent up the age of the minor. Planning a trip with all of these possibilities to choose from is exciting! The forecast called for 30% of snow showers. We followed the trail and scrambled across a rocky mountainside where we picked the trail back up. It reaches a beautiful setting where overnight backpackers find a lovely high-altitude lake (permit required) right under the iconic Minaret spires of the Ritter Range. Campsites at Ediza are somewhat limited, with a no-camping zone near the outlet and around the left-hand side of the lake. All permit applications must be received at least 30 days prior to your event for consideration and processsing. The trail splits again with a really sharp right, but this takes you back up Agnew Meadows again. After we got set up, we climbed around on the granite playground near our camp spot and soaked in the views all around us. Immediately all I could think was “ok, get out!”. After we set off from Shadow Creek Trailhead, the trail crosses a stream and passes a nice green meadow. If you drove and you leave between 7 am and 7 pm you will have to pay a $10 fee at the kiosk. Map: Refer to this Interactive Map and this official map. Production guide and directory with crew, equipment, digital media, pre-production, post production, production support and talent services. Signs and your permit indicate the safe spots for camping. 1. Date Hiked: September 4-5, 2020. Any suggestions for camping beyond the obvious? The trail between Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake is some of the most scenic, passing through beautiful alpine meadows and a meandering Shadow Creek. I was lucky enough to score permits out of Shadow Lake Trail heading over to Ediza Lake for the first weekend in June. Several months ago, Chris secured a permit to one of the locations that had been on his bucket list for a long time: the Ritter Range, specifically Ediza, Garnet, and … Backpacking Ediza Lake | Written by Brian Callender | Photography by Julie Boyd ... An unexpected bonus prior to heading off the grid. It provides access to the depths of the Sierras and trails such as the infamous PCT and JMT, lakes abound and not to mention its proximity to the iconic Yosemite National Park. The trail head is on the eastern slope of the Sierras. Shadow Lake, no camping at the lake, or between Shadow Creek and the trail. The trail follows Shadow Creek until climbing into a spectacular alpine basin walled in by the massive rock outcrops of the Minarets, Mt Ritter and Banner Peak. The jaunt to Ediza is one of the most beautiful trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and needs an overnighter to fully appreciate. Instead we hiked a couple of out and backs, camping at Ediza Lake and Rosalie Lake and day hiking to Iceberg. Permits Required: Yes; Mileage: 25 Miles(ish) Elevation Change: 2100+ feet; Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights; Parking: Small parking lot in Agnew Meadows (it fills up quick); or alternately take the bus into Devils Postpile from the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and get dropped off at stop #1. Rainbow Lake for a distance of 1/4 mile from the shoreline in all directions. The 10,591 ft level gives you a good idea of the weather conditions at camping spots such as Thousand Island Lake, Garnet Lake, and Ediza Lake. Ediza Lake was one of my most favorite trips this season with its unpredictable weather. There is no cell service at Ediza Lake. #rivertrail #sierranevada #johnmuirtrail #camping #tent #sunrise #wildseekers #wildernessculture #msr … It is worth noting that all the wilderness permits for Ediza Lake require camping on the north-northwestern shore of the Lake, but a raging torrent of … You will pass Shadow Lake; walk around the south side of the lake for mountain views. After we climbed around a bit we played some cards before eventually making our way back down. If you’re unable to get a permit for the High Trail, there are alternative trailheads you can plan around like Shadow Creek and the River Trail. Oaf and I brought Uno Wilderness in case of being stuck in our tents with bad weather. Thousand Island Lake, no camping within ¼ mile of the outlet. The first glimpse of Ediza Lake and all of the amazing granite surrounding it. There are some sunny campsites along the creek so try and snag one of those. Also called the Minaret Creek Trail, this is a 6.5-mile (one way) hike that offers a moderate to difficult challenge up to 9,500 feet. The permit system does keep the crowds somewhat in check but expect to see quite a few hikers. However, the number of people you'll encounter on this hike is extremely low when you consider the setting, especially between Ediza Lake and Minaret Lake. We stood in a short line until the Ranger Station opened at 8:00. Cabin Lake; Iceberg Lake; Ediza Lake (Beautiful lake and wonderful surrounding scenery, including the Minarets. People floated in and out of our tent. We had our sights set on Ediza last September. A percentage of the daily quota permits are available online at Recreation.gov. And if you shop on Amazon, please first click the link below to get there. We’re Shane and Katie, the authors behind The Lost Longboarder blog. A permit is required for any overnight trips and a trail quota is in place. This is when we spoke with a ranger, decided on the entry point, where we’d set up camp each night, and where we’d exit. Other: Campfire restrictions and Bear Can required ** In order to get to the trail head you have to ride a shuttle for $7. An alpine lake at 9,300 feet elevation, it can be done as an out-and-back hike but you end up missing much of the scenery surrounding it. Used as a base camp for many climbers). We returned around 10:50 and waited for our name to be called. This lake was very pretty but we didn’t swim because there was still a morning chill in the air. So in the meantime, we hit the Mammoth Skate Park and cruised Shady Rest Trail. Several weeks prior, I received notice that the Agnew Meadows road and parking area was closing for the season. Everyone climbed into their respective tents. For those aged 16 and 17, the correct form is the CA-7. Whether you’re spinning, baitcasting or fly fishing your chances of getting a bite here are good. Groups cannot combine to exceed 15 people. An unexpected bonus prior to heading off the grid. Why Don’t They Look Like Me? The Lake Ediza Junction has several great spots to camp. Then just over the ridge, we saw the real Iceberg Lake! Permit: Yes, for overnight trips. Our group retraced our steps back to the car. He also considered Ediza Lake to be the most beautiful of all the multitudes of lakes in the Sierra. For more up to date information check out the National Park Service website here.). Was. Finally, we found a lake which we (wrongly) assumed was Iceburg Lake. December: 18: … Itinerary. Finally with all of the decisions and planning out of the way, nothing could have prepared us for the incredible beauty and the amazing adventure we were about to experience backpacking to Ediza Lake – so let the adventure begin! After coming back to reality we noticed a group of people down at the lake at the end of a trail. When I'm not at my desk, you can find me napping under boulders or hiking very slowly with my camera in hand. Once on the Shadow Lake trail, you begin to climb up switchbacks to Shadow Lake. Whitney trail. Then they would call our names in the order on the sheet where we would next hopefully get our requested permit. An alpine lake at 9,300 feet elevation, it can be done as an out-and-back hike but you end up missing much of the scenery surrounding it. And, as if things weren’t perfect enough already, there were no mosquitoes up here! Permit is only valid for one continuous wilderness trip. As our trip date approached, the weather forecast took a cold turn for the days we’d be out in the backcountry – dropping from highs near 60 to highs in the 30’s! Per usual, we pulled out all our libations and set up for happy hour. To get to Ediza Lake, we stay to the left where it becomes the River Trail. Aerial Map of Day 1: Trail head to Ediza Lake and then to camp (Information is based on what we experienced in 07/2019. DAY 1: 7.35 miles | 2:13 pm – 6:15 pm | Agnew Meadow Trailhead to Shadow Lake to Ediza Lake DAY 2: 7.88 miles | 9:08 am – 2:27 pm | Ediza Lake to Garnet Lake to Thousand Island Lake DAY 3: 8.5 miles | 9:42 am – 2:02 pm | Thousand Island Lake to Agnew Meadow Trailhead I would definitely come back, if only to see the Minarets. Although Ediza Lake is a popular hiking trail in the Mammoth area, it is also one that you really should see. The John Muir Trail (and Pacific Crest Trail) passes through this wilderness, and it can be reached from both sides of the Sierra crest. We’d planned on staying another night but the mosquitoes were relentless and after packing up camp we decided to just make the long haul back to the trailhead. Wind continued throughout the night, but the worst of the bad weather was gone. (Note: if Agnew Meadows is closed, you can park at Upper Soda Springs Campground for no bushwhacking and instant access to the PCT.). The first people in our party hiked all the way around Ediza Lake to set up camp. =), We respect your privacy and we won't share your information. Ediza Lake is one such gem. At the Shadow Creek Trail, take the 1.6-mile detour west to a campsite by Ediza Lake. Ritter Ediza Lake is only about 6 miles from Agnew Meadows, but as a weekend trip, it is hard to beat. If you leave before 7 am or after 7 pm you can exit as you please, with no fee. Permits: Permits are required for all overnight use. Lake Ediza is located in a spectacular location at the headwaters of Shadow Creek set in the crown of Ritter and Banner Peaks and the Minarets. Will be back! Fishing Permits: Daily Fishing: $24.00: 3 Day Fishing: $62.00: Second Rod – Daily: $24.00: Second Rod – 3 Day : $62.00 . For youth aged 14 and 15, the form that will be utilized is the CA-6. He also considered Ediza Lake to be the most beautiful of all the multitudes of lakes in the Sierra. (Unfortunately the ranger we dealt with was not patient or helpful so be prepared with a back up plan or two!) A percentage of the daily quota permits are available online at Recreation.gov. Finding the Trailhead: ... Ediza Lake is Z's favorite Sierran lake that we have visited and John Muir would agree with him, calling it "the most beautiful lake" in the Sierra Nevada Range. There is a decent sized parking area at the trailhead. You can get information on these restrictions at the Ranger Station when you pick up your permit, and there are maps posted along the trail showing the restricted areas. And even more so because we thought we had already discovered Iceberg Lake down below! Thank you! ... Ediza Lake was the highlight of the entire trip for all of us. You'll go north on the JMT, eventually taking a right onto the PCT, returning back to Agnes Meadow. There are special restrictions in the area between Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake, designed to reduce impact in these highly used areas. But note that there are a few logistics to keep in mind when planning your adventure such as permits and mandatory shuttles. Your email address will not be published. Hi! Or, you know, owned any crampons… what are we Mount Everest expeditioners? After reaching Ediza Lake, you can either return via the way you came, or do the loop shown on this page. Compared to Ritter, Banner Peak is much slimmer with a sharp profile; it is surrounded by 1500-2000 feet high vertical cliffs except on its southwest side. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A moderate-grade trail passes the San Joaquin River and Shadow Lake, following a substantial creek most of the way. The trail starts to ascend rather steeply but quickly rewarded us with a huge rushing waterfall that seemed to fall and fall! Has anyone camped at Iceberg Lake… A 50-unit campground is located in Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park, at the south end of the lake and adjacent to Highway 37. The plan was to head to Thousand Island Lake on the first night, Ediza Lake on the second, and Minaret Lake for the third and final night. Some of the Sierra's most beautiful physical landmarks such as Mount Ritter, Mount Banner, the Minarets and stunning Lake Ediza are the highlights of this amazing backpack and are the reason why hikers flock here summer after summer. Check out our latest lineup of hand painted longboards at our Lost Coast Longboarding Shop. There was some snow and a small waterfall going into the water. It looked like endless opportunities for climbing and exploring! Your travel plan, exit date and location identify the area you will visit. Cold. The blue/green of the water contrasted so well with the towering, rugged granite peaks and walls. John Muir Wilderness. Day use does not require a permit. So, there is a trail to Iceberg Lake but we were satisfied with our vantage point that we stumbled across. And actually, once you’re out on the trail you might even be thankful for the regulations and quotas in place. The jaunt to Ediza is one of the most beautiful trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and needs an overnighter to fully appreciate. Ediza Lake: trail description, photos, GPS map and hike directions up River Trail and Shadow Creek Trail to Ediza Lake from Agnew Meadows near Mammoth Lakes, CA ... No permit is required to day hike in Ansel Adams Wilderness. The Diversity Dilemma in Outdoor Media, Bouldering at the Jardines, Queenstown, New Zealand, The Best Beginner Boulders in the Buttermilks, Bishop, CA, How to Build Out a Subaru Outback Without Any Building, For most of the year, this trip requires a permit to stay overnight. Your email address will not be published. Then, follow the trail up Shadow Creek until you reach the junction with the Ediza Lake Trail, and continue east. Please consult the main Ansel Adams Wilderness page for details on obtaining permits for the Shadow Lake and Pacific Crest trails. Ediza Lake is one of those perfect high elevation lake experiences – a jaw dropping backdrop, clean and beautiful water, granite formations to play on, surrounded by meadows and conifers. We parked at Starkweather Lake and then realized that we couldn’t actually connect to any trails. This permit process was time consuming and even inconvenient but so worth it once we got out on the trail and were able to find peace, solitude, and a good camp spot! The helpful wilderness permit issuers in Mammoth said we would need crampons to complete the loop, and needless to say none of us packed our crampons. Hundreds of feet below us, a brilliant blue, surrounded by a stunning cirque, a huge waterfall tumbling into crystal clear waters and icebergs floating around! As we were letting the sun dry us and warm us up we saw a deer at the lakes’ inlet. Banner Peak is most photogenic from the northeast: it seems to be floating on the vast 2-mile w… On our adventure we saw: a snake, two deer, a tiny frog, a marmot, squirrels, chipmunks and birds. This whole area is just beautiful. Ediza Lake is only about 6 miles from Agnew Meadows, but as a weekend trip, it is hard to beat. Backpacking Peeler Lake Loop in the Hoover Wilderness, Out of This World Views Atop Obsidian Dome, Backpacking Lassen Volcanic National Park, Total from Shadow Creek Trailhead to Iceburg Lake: 7.6 miles, Shadow Creek Trailhead to Shadow Lake: 3.9 miles, Shadow Creek Trailhead to Ediza Lake: 6.7, Thousand Islands Lake back to the Parking Area: 8.8, Day 1: Shadow Creek Trailhead to Ediza Lake: 6.7 miles (where we camped for the night), Day 2:Ediza Lake to Iceburg Lake and back: 2 miles (where we explored), Then Ediza Lake to Shadow Creek Trailhead: 6.7 (made it back to our car). By the end of our trip, here’s how we broke up our time on this adventure: After a gorgeous overnight trip backpacking to Ediza Lake and Iceberg Lake we are so excited to see more and more beauty in the area. There are special restrictions in the area between Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake, designed to reduce impact in these highly used areas. I was definitely feeling the altitude at this point, getting a small headache and some nauseousness. The next day we packed up a day bag and headed out for an adventure to find Iceburg Lake. There is no cell service at Ediza Lake. The right continues the River Trail to Thousand Island Lake. If you plan on backpacking this route and camping in the wilderness, you'll need a permit. Know Before You Go: Backpacking to Ediza Lake Permit Process Information: Permits: Permits are required for all overnight use. On the opposite side of the lake, the Minarets tower well over a thousand feet above. Permits are issued through Inyo National Forest and can be reserved online at www.recreation.gov. Everyone set up camp. Required fields are marked *, Hello! Our destination was Ediza Lake, and boy was it a trip to end the season. But more importantly, we were appreciative for all of the beauty that we encountered! 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