Lake Ediza Trail, 1989 (#2) The following days featured cloudless blue skies. We circled around the lake and worked our way up a stream towards the valley at the base of Ritter. Find out why this trail is a must, how to prepare and what to expect! Previous hikers have left cairns and directionals to the correct trail. It was a blast hiking "her" up there in my backpack. There are a surprising (to us at least) number of people about, going in both directions, particularly after we pass the junction with the trail that goes up to Shadow Lake and Lake Ediza. We continued up Shadow Creek Trail passing several meadows with fine views of the Minarets and climbed up some short switch backs until we reached Lake Ediza (9300 – 6.2). Shadow & Ediza Lakes Trail - 13 mi ediza_lake-post.jpg While the lakes at the Shadow and Ediza Lakes Trail in Mammoth offer peaceful views, the real stunner on this 13 mile out-and-back trail is the river which runs alongside the trail. Ediza sure is beautiful! On the way you would pass by Garnet Lake, Ruby Lake, and Emerald Lake each of which has stunning views. Lake Ediza Trail, 1989 (#1) In 1989 Mike returned to hike the Lake Ediza trail with Kay, his sister-in-law, and her friend Laura. ... (western) side of Lake Ediza, north of the main inlet stream. *FRIDAY ITINERARY * AGNEW MEADOWS TO EDIZA LAKE VIA SHADOW LAKE TRAIL, 13 MILES ,1774 FT. GAIN/ LOSS. My grandmother past away a few years back and it was in her will that she wanted her ashes spread at lake ediza. The upper Nydiver Lakes as seen in the upper left and center of this picture sit roughly around 10,100ft. Kay, Laura and Mike dayhiked from their camp to Lake Ediza, then to Iceberg Lake, and then struggled up the steep knapsack trail to Cecile Lake, nestled high amidst the Minarets. Ediza Lake to JMT junction was the easiest part of the trail that day as it was mostly descending. Backpacking to Lake Ediza In The High Sierra Sierra Nevada Backpack (Shadow Lake Trail to Minaret Creek Trail) Around the first week of September of 2007 I went to the Mammoth Lakes area of the Easter Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. For the next 2.5 miles, the trail traverses open areas with low, deep green bushes, … It is a much more direct approach for Climbing Mt Ritter. The trail skirts the north shore of this lake to the upper end of Shadow Lake (8750 – 4). The Shadow Trail climbs past Shadow Lake to connect with the John Muir Trail. No campfires are permitted. This hike visits this alpine jewel, passing beautiful Shadow Lake and a series of pretty waterfalls on Shadow Creek along the way. The trail skirts the north shore of this lake to the upper end of Shadow Lake (8750 – 4). Although Ediza Lake is a popular hiking trail in the Mammoth area, it is also one that you really should see. The trail dead ends into the river. Ansel Adams Wilderness is located in Mammoth Lakes, California. We stayed for more than a week with my wife's brother Todd. You’re about 3 miles from Ediza Lake. Then, follow the trail up Shadow Creek until you reach the junction with the Ediza Lake Trail, and continue east. I wore myself out to get there this past weekend, with 500 miles of driving and 14 miles of hiking. We continued up Shadow Creek Trail passing several meadows with fine views of the Minarets and climbed up some short switch backs until we reached Lake Ediza (9300 – 6.2). Taking the River Trail to Thousand Island Lake is the fastest way to get there, but it is more difficult to climb Mt Ritter from Thousand Island Lake. I highly recommend doing a morning hike to Iceberg Lake from here (only two miles roundtrip) - the trail, the perfectly calm and clear lake, and the peaks above it are all worth the short hike. Hikers can go north or south on the John Muir Trail or continue up Shadow Creek to Ediza and Iceberg Lakes. Once you enter Mammoth Lakes it is another 45 minutes to Red’s Meadow Resort on a winding road. While hiking in, a hailstorm struck just as the hikers reached Shadow Lake. June 1, 2015 “Gorgeous hike. In Aug of 2018 this footbridge was out. When we arrived at Ediza Lake it was about 3:00pm, and there were many tents visible along the opposite shoreline. After the splendid sunrise, we retreated back to our camp, had some breakfast, and then packed up stuff for a dayhike up to Iceberg Lake. The bridge marks the intersection of the John Muir Trail and the Ediza Lake Trail. This trail also leads to where potential climbers of Mt Ritter make base-camp. No camping at Shadow Lake and some areas along Shadow Creek and Ediza Lake. The jagged spires of the Minarets and two 14ers, Mount Ritter and Banner Peak, form the dramatic backdrop for Ediza Lake, one of the most stunning lakes in the Ritter Range. Down, down we go, under the trees, on the dusty (very dusty) trail. There are great views of Ediza present for almost the entire stretch. The trail turns upward (as seen in the photo to the right) once again before reaching beautiful Ediza Lake. Trail to Lake Ediza. Before Garnet Lake, the trail is quite exposed. The trail was beautiful the whole way and opens up to a stunning alpine lake and granite peaks surrounding it. First sunlight on the Minarets behind Ediza Lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. The trail up to Iceberg is a short stretch that ascends about 500 feet. Our Location. Camp overnight at Ediza Lake. In the summer, from 7am-7pm the road to the trail head is inaccessible to cars. Mammoth Lakes is located about 45 minutes south of the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park. At 5:04 pm, about 5.2 miles from the start, we reached the Garnet Lake/ Ediza Lake junction from the Shadow Lake trail. Backpacking Ediza Lake Agnew Meadows. Walk around the south, then east shore of the lake to find camping spots. The dusty trail skirts by Olaine Lake on your left and then levels off as it pass thru Aspens and Sagebrush until it arrives at a bridged crossing for the San Joaquin River at 2.5 miles from the trailhead. Ediza Lake as seen down below in the lower right of this picture from my vantage point, sits at 9,268ft. You'll find the trailhead on the west side of Ediza Lake (look for the Iceberg Lake sign). From here, there are ups and downs, but a total of only about 500 feet of climbing. The accent is not too bad since there are lots of switchbacks. As the trail nears the junction with Ediza Lake, the rivers and trees will again appear to … Ediza Lake Spur is a 1,815 m black diamond singletrack alpine trail located near Mammoth Lakes California. We were glad that we didn’t dismiss it due to its popularity, as it really is stunning. About 300-400 yards before you reach Lake Ediza there's a foot bridge to cross Shadow Creek. Get up early for the sunrise reflection of the Minarets, all gold against still water, before returning to Agnew Meadows via the Shadow Creek and River Trails. It can get very hot very quick. We started out by taking the PCT South/River/Shadow Lake trail which is just opposite the pit toilets and bear boxes. Lake Ediza is hidden in the back of the valley behind Shadow Lake. The first section of the hike is flat following along a soft, sandy path, but offers little shade. Jul 8, 2020 - Backpacking to Ediza Lake and beyond to Iceburg Lake makes for a stunning adventure! In the Junction we took a left turn to head up to Thousand Island Lake (lots of ups and downs to look out for). Friday morning we will meet at Mammoth mountain main lodge at 7:30 to purchase our shuttle bus tickets for the ride to Agnew Meadows trail … Very early Saturday morning I left San Francisco and drove through Yosemite to the eastern side of the Sierras. The winter of 2005-2006 had a fair amount of snow, and we ended up having to kick in some steps to keep from slipping. The main climbing is now behind us. The trail between Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake is some of the most scenic, passing through beautiful alpine meadows and a meandering Shadow Creek. We camped at the lake and had a wonderful time!! Mar 8, 2019 - Ediza Lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness is a strenuous 13 miles round trip hike with 1,774 feet of elevation gain. 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