7.3 miles and 1300 feet … 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. The latitude and longitude coordinates of Ediza Lake are 37.6850697, -119.1665501 and the approximate elevation is 9,272 feet (2,826 meters) above sea level. Ediza Lake as seen down below in the lower right of this picture from my vantage point, sits at 9,268ft. Hike Type: Overnight Difficulty Level: Difficult Food Storage: There are two bear boxes at the Agnew Meadows trailhead. This trip can be either a day hike, or a multi-day adventurefest of camping, fishing, hiking, mountaineering and more, so pack accordingly. The upper Nydiver Lakes as seen in the upper left and center of this picture sit roughly around 10,100ft. Two: Ediza Lake to Garnet Lake: 5.4 miles +665 feet. Ediza Lake is located in Madera County, California. Whenever one of us would act tired, Callie was there to cheer us on. Madera County Lakes (133) Shadow Lake and Lake Ediza are extremely popular backpacking destinations, and camping restrictions apply. We arrived in Mammoth Lakes a day before the hike and spent a relaxing afternoon sunning on Lake George and watching kayakers paddle across its turquoise waters. There we found a geothermal pool in the middle of a meadow all to ourselves. Buy. For the junction by Ediza Lake up to the outlet of Iceberg Lake is two miles round trip with 510 feet of elevation change. Anyone who is interested in visiting Ediza Lake can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Current conditions, warnings and historical records Dates: 8/26 - 8/27 Miles: 13 roundtrip (to very edge of the lake) Elevation Change: 2,586 ft Trail Type: Out and back Trailhead: Google Maps Permit Required: Yes for overnight backpacking (issued via Inyo NF), no for dayhiking Ediza Lake is located in Madera County, California. Walk in the footsteps of John Muir. Ediza Lake California fishing map and location information: Ediza Lake is a Lake in Madera County, California and can be found on the Mount Ritter USGS topo map. Anyone interested in fishing Ediza Lake or nearby fishing Lakes should consult with guides and other local resources before heading out to fish. The Shadow Trail climbs past Shadow Lake to connect with the John Muir Trail. I almost could’ve stayed at Shadow and been perfectly content with our trip. Ediza Lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness is a strenuous 13 miles round trip hike with 1,774 feet of elevation gain. ). Devils Postpile From the Ranger Station in Red’s Meadow, take the trail across the San Joaquin River and head north through old growth forest. Ediza Lake is one such gem. Every turn was a new way to look at the landscape. Sometimes I feel the pictures tell the full story, and they do a better job than I ever could describing the grandeur and beauty of the Eastern Sierra backcountry. Three: Garnet Lake to Thousand Island Lake: 2.4 miles +465 feet. Mt Whitney area: This lake is 26 acres in size. The first day was up the river trail, past Shadow Lake, to Lake Ediza. DAY 2: Total Miles – 7.7 miles. Sometimes I wonder if these types of posts need any narration at all. No permits are required for dayhikes. From Ediza you can day hike to Iceberg Lake, or climb 13,000ft mountains. After reaching Ediza Lake, you can either return via the way you came, or do the loop shown on this page. A permit is required for overnight hikes in Ansel Adams Wilderness and a quota is in place at the trailhead. Ediza Lake is one such gem. After all, the secret to a good life is... Read more », I live and play in beautiful Central Oregon where I write about urban homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. After Shadow Lake, you will keep going. Shadow Lake and Lake Ediza are extremely popular backpacking destinations, and camping restrictions apply. It’s one of the most photogenic lakes in the region with a clear view of Crystal Crag looming above the Mammoth Crest. Shadow Lake, no camping at the lake, or between Shadow Creek and the trail. Hiking out, the eight miles to the trailhead didn’t seem nearly as long as the way in. I slept so soundly that night that I woke up refreshed and energized for the haul ahead. My 2nd-lowest handle view atop of Volcanic Ridge is around 11,200ft. Walk around the south, then east shore of the lake to find camping spots. I only go backpacking once or twice a year, and every time I do, I wonder why I don’t do it more often. Fishing Location Type: Lake, Madera County Bays (5) At the Shadow Creek Trail, take the 1.6-mile detour west to a campsite by Ediza Lake. This challenging loop starts at Agnes Meadow and travels into the mountains on the Shadow Creek Trail. John Muir Wilderness. Ediza Lake. Ediza Lake is displayed on the Mount Ritter USGS quad topo map. It was familiar yet unfamiliar. Picking up the trail again, we connected with the John Muir Trail for a while as we followed Shadow Creek. Please consult the main Ansel Adams Wilderness page for details on obtaining permits for the Shadow Lake and Pacific Crest trails. Season: Late June through mid-October. The farther you venture the better the camp spots and views. Ediza Lake, hiking trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. Ediza Lake is a true glacial lake. Don’t be deceived, it is one bone-chilling, ice-cold, glacial lake. (These lakes and the nearby creeks are good places to try for brookies, rainbows, and brown trout—possibly even a golden trout, the California state fish.) We had our sights set on Ediza last September. Please consult the main Ansel Adams Wilderness page for details on obtaining permits for the Shadow Lake and Pacific Crest trails. The hike incorporates short sections of Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail. Thankfully, the next section of trail is almost entirely flat as we crossed the creek twice before ascending one final time and arriving at the shore of Ediza Lake. The No-Waste Vegetable Cookbook is my latest book. Ediza Lake. 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. The trail splits again with a really sharp right, but this takes you back up Agnew Meadows again. Continue on to Ediza Lake, then follow a faint trail around to Iceberg Lake. Garden Betty independently selects products to feature on this site. View fullsize. Banner Peak is arguably the most picturesque peak in the Sierra Nevada. Shadow Lake at an elevation of 8737' Longitude: -119.1665501°W Ediza Lake, no camping on the south or east side of the lake. Stay to the left again. Mt Whitney area: NOAA weather radar, satellite and synoptic charts. Elevation gain: ~4,000 ft. Route ascends Class 3 cliffs and loose rock gullies. Elevation gain: ~4,000 ft. Route ascends Class 3 cliffs and loose rock gullies. My knees thanked me when I finally made it to the meadow! Before long, you’ll arrive at Ediza Lake. No permits are required for dayhikes. The jaunt to Ediza is one of the most beautiful trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and needs an overnighter to fully appreciate. We continued up a cliff that looked like a stack of building blocks. I'm a plant lover, passionate road-tripper, and cookbook author whose expert advice and bestselling books have been featured in TIME, Outside, HGTV, and Food & Wine. This lake is 26 acres in size. After lunch I went exploring while Will started packing. Four: Thousand Island Lake … Before long, you’ll arrive at Ediza Lake. Duration: 7 to 8 hours, though 2 days is preferable. It’s also the perfect spot to grab lunch and/or cool off with a swim. Backpacking Trip Info. Thousand Island Lake, no camping within ¼ mile of the outlet. Along the way you'll have beautiful views of Shadow Creek as well. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/shadow-and-ediza-lakes-trail We started our hike on the Shadow Lake Trail in Agnew Meadows, descending into the San Joaquin River Valley as we passed creeks and cascades along the trail. He also considered Ediza Lake to be the most beautiful of all the multitudes of lakes in the Sierra. Cecile’s setting is equally dramatic with the spires of the Minarets forming a perfect backdrop for this azure jewel. Most people set up camp at Ediza and call it good. We had our sights set on Ediza last September. It is a short hike without a ton of elevation gain, perfect for my dad’s old bones. We had our sights set on Ediza last September. During this section you'll pass the beautiful Shadow Lake, and then continue climbing up to the striking Ediza Lake. While making a random restroom stop, we discovered a small waterfall about 50 feet off the trail that flowed into a deep swimming hole. Ediza Lake, no camping on the south or east side of the lake. Backpacking takes me deep into the dream worlds I can’t see from the road or experience on a day hike. Ediza Lake California fishing map and location information: Ediza Lake is a Lake in Madera County, California and can be found on the Mount Ritter USGS topo map. At 5:04 pm, about 5.2 miles from the start, we reached the Garnet Lake/ Ediza Lake junction from the Shadow Lake trail. Ediza Lake California fishing map and location information: Ediza Lake is a Lake in Madera County, California and can be found on the Mount Ritter USGS topo map. There were smooth granite slabs everywhere, baking in the sun and just beckoning us to take a nap on them. You can continue north to Garnet Lake from here, or take a 2-mile detour to Ediza Lake by continuing west. To end our very rough day, we drove to the hot springs off a dirt path near Benton Crossing. We decided to head out early in an effort to hike as much as we can before the sun tires us down. Dogs are permitted on this trail. Our friends hiked out after breakfast, whereas we slept in and bathed in the waterfall. After Shadow Lake, you will keep going. The jaunt to Ediza is one of the most beautiful trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and needs an overnighter to fully appreciate. The most prominent peaks of the Ritter Range are Mount Ritter, at 13,143 feet, Banner Peak, at 12,936 feet, Rodgers Peak, and the Minarets, a group of sharp peaks south of Mt. Garnet Lake, no camping within ¼ mile of the outlet. At the halfway point about three and a half miles in, we reached Shadow Lake. © Garden Betty 2010-2020. 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. It is mostly a level trail with a 750 foot gain over the last mile to the lake. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including . When we stopped at Shadow Lake for a snack and a swim, taking in the surroundings, I had to wonder — what’s just over that next ridge? 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. It was magical! Summer is a spectacular time of year in the Sierra, and especially the end of summer, when the leaves are just starting to turn color but the air is warm and fragrant. The John Muir Trail passes by many lakes within the Ritter Range. Ritter. There was not another camper around. No camping at Shadow Lake and some areas along Shadow Creek and Ediza Lake. Duration: 9 hrs roundtrip from Ediza Lake. The scene of the turquoise water below the surrounding dramatic mountain peaks will always be a memorable one. Ediza Lake is one such gem. Backpacking Ediza Lake | Written by Brian Callender | Photography by Julie Boyd . Ediza Lake weather forecast updated daily. You’re about 3 miles from Ediza Lake. Mind-melting views of the Sierra Nevada. Head toward Ediza Lake "H" for the best position to climb 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. The GPS coordinates for this Lake are 37.6850697 (latitude), -119.1665501 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 9,272 feet (2,826 meters) above sea level. Not to mention the option to continue on to the incredible Iceburg Lake! 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. If you have visited Ediza Lake before, please tell us about it with a comment below. Duration: 9 hrs roundtrip from Ediza Lake. I climbed atop one of the granite domes in the meadow, taking in the views of our little gem of a campsite. Latitude: 37.6850697°N Used as a base camp for many climbers). Mind-melting views of the Sierra Nevada. Shadow Lake, no camping at the lake, or between Shadow Creek and the trail. Breathing the air. We continued another three miles up Shadow Creek, rolling through green meadows and climbing up a granite staircase until Ediza Lake came into view. Once up and over the ridge, we down climbed the rocky northern slope below the Minarets. Shadow Lake: Elevation is 8800 feet. Ascending several hundred feet above Iceberg, we could see Cecil Lake in the distance. The GPS coordinates for this Lake are 37.6850697 (latitude), -119.1665501 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 9,272 feet (2,826 meters) above sea level. Thousand Island Lake, no camping within ¼ mile of the outlet. Another mile ahead, we found ourselves in a postcard — standing in the middle of a high mountain meadow at the base of Mount Ritter, with the Minarets to the east and Banner Peak to the north. The Sierra solitude was spectacular. After capturing some sunrise shots and having breakfast we bid goodbye to Ediza Lake and started our hike down to John Muir Trail. It is the second highest peak in the Ritter Range, very close to its bigger neighbor Mount Ritter, 200 feet taller. Our last day was leisurely. 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. John Muir Wilderness. Instead of coming back down the way we came, Will and I decided to traverse the talus to the other end of the lake. Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details. As we soaked in a hot mineral bath, we watched the sky turn all shades of orange and red and purple as the sun slowly dipped below the Sherwin Range in the distance. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. And because no climb is complete without a sequence of classic butt shots, here are the best ones that Will so meticulously captured. USGS Topo Map: Mount Ritter It was breathtaking. Starting from Agnew Meadows near Mammoth Lakes, Ediza Lake is reachable on a rewarding full day hike of over 14 miles round trip with 1,250 feet of elevation change. 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 is a true glacial lake. Elevation: 9,272 ft (2,826 m) You’re about 3 miles from Ediza Lake. I made a hash-brown and egg scramble for breakfast, and we hit the trail by 9:30am. I fell asleep to the sounds of the waterfall outside our tent and woke up to the Ritter Range bathed in the glow of early light. Continue around Iceberg Lake’s eastern shoreline to Cecile Lake, and finish at the base of Clyde Minaret. Copyright © Locality, LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | About | Contact. Walk in the footsteps of John Muir. The view of Garnet Lake before descending the switchbacks It was 2.6 miles from the Thousand Lake junction to Garnet Lake up at 9680'. So, I’ll try to let them do most of the talking…. There is about … Cabin Lake; Iceberg Lake; Ediza Lake (Beautiful lake and wonderful surrounding scenery, including the Minarets. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including . After all, this is where the trail ends, and it’s definitely not a shabby place to put up a tent. Despite the frigid alpine water, it looked so inviting on that hot summer day that we couldn’t help but heave our heavy packs off our backs and jump in! 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. Can you spot him fluffing our orange tent below? Garnet Lake, no camping within ¼ mile of the outlet. Day 4: Ediza Lake to Garnet Lake (August 25, 2012) ... We took our time getting out of camp since we were only going ~7.5 miles to Ediza Lake and had minimal elevation change along the way. The more adventurous among us even took a skinny dip in the icy waters! This is where we camped when we climbed Mt Ritter's North Face Route. 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