Snow blanketed the ground. We were just in awe, so humbled and grateful for the opportunity to experience something so majestic. People floated in and out of our tent. There are special restrictions in the area between Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake, designed to reduce impact in these highly used areas. At the Shadow Creek Trail, take the 1.6-mile detour west to a campsite by Ediza Lake. Directions: This backpacking trip begins at Shadow Creek Trailhead, which is located with a couple of other trails at Agnew Meadows. Open Season: Road closed in winter. It won’t change your shopping experience but it helps us out a bit! Not much further, about 3.9 miles from the trailhead, we reached Shadow Lake. The remaining percentage of the permits are available on a first come first served basis for no cost (just a little bit of inconvenience). It was absolutely beautiful! There are many lakes to be seen and several loop options! It is absolutely stunning. Shadow Lake was beautiful and a great place to stop for a break. We found a rock jutting out into the clear blue water and we could tell it was deep so we took our packs off and jumped in! There was some snow and a small waterfall going into the water. In the morning, the skies had cleared-ish. 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. Search, get listed, or request production services. Then sleet began to fall over our heads, causing us to hastily pack up. There is an endless supply of loops, out-and-backs, and point-to-point hikes that can be completed in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Laura snagged us permits for the River Trail entrance. Ritter Ediza Lake is only about 6 miles from Agnew Meadows, but as a weekend trip, it is hard to beat. The next day we packed up a day bag and headed out for an adventure to find Iceburg 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. 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. The trail was beautiful the whole way and opens up to a stunning alpine lake and granite peaks surrounding it. 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 … Distance: There are numerous options to consider when taking off from this trailhead but here are the mileages for our short trip: (Note: We love loops but this time it didn’t happen that way. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Then the trail got really close to the rushing river on the left and the trail becomes rocks obstacles and then there it is! There are some sunny campsites along the creek so try and snag one of those. Our group retraced our steps back to the car. A moderate-grade trail passes the San Joaquin River and Shadow Lake, following a substantial creek most of the way. Ediza Lake, no camping on the south or east side of the lake. Finally, the weather cleared enough for everyone to come out of their tents. Commercial use is any use that involves payment of a guide, tour or bus company, or any commercial entity for a service that will take place within the monument. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee for a commercial use permit. There is no cell service at Ediza Lake. Take an upper section of Shadow Creek Trail up to Ediza Lake. There is a decent sized parking area at the trailhead. Recreation.gov is your source for discovering and experiencing America's federal recreation activities and outdoor adventures. John Muir Wilderness. See map. This trip can be either a day hike, or a multi-day adventurefest of camping, fishing, hiking, mountaineering and more, so pack accordingly. (Unfortunately the ranger we dealt with was not patient or helpful so be prepared with a back up plan or two!) HIKE PERMIT: YES LOCATION: ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS, MAMMOTH/ EASTERN SIERRA. Permits. As we were letting the sun dry us and warm us up we saw a deer at the lakes’ inlet. All of this is made possible by creating unique hand crafted longboards and t-shirts. Outside of these hours you are allowed to drive up. Don’t let the red tape sway you from exploring this area though, it’s one you won’t want to miss! The Lake Ediza Junction has several great spots to camp. You cannot exceed the group size stated on permit. Camp near the west side of the lake (per national forest restrictions). Garnet Lake, no camping within ¼ mile of the outlet. Immerse yourself in this stunning wilderness and you’ll be so glad you did. In the distance, the clouds darkened and thunder rumbled. 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). A percentage of the daily quota permits are available online at Recreation.gov. Trailhead to Ediza Lake. We hiked in and out of eye-shot of the San Joaquin River. Ediza Lake was pretty terrible. The forecast called for 30% of snow showers. With its relatively lower-elevation trailhead in the aspen groves and old-growth Jeffrey pines off Sherwin Creek Road near the motocross track, this trail is an excellent option in the spring and early summer, when the lakes are full and clear and the wildflowers are blooming. We took our packs off to go get a closer view and to let a group of mules pass. What a breathtaking view! We then signed up on a form that basically held our place in line and indicated the group leader, group size and our desired trailhead. Check out our latest lineup of hand painted longboards at our Lost Coast Longboarding Shop. When you’re about a quarter mile from the lake, the trail gets a little confusing. You'll go north on the JMT, eventually taking a right onto the PCT, returning back to Agnes Meadow. If Agnew Meadows Road is closed, hike in from Starkweather Lake or Upper Soda Springs Campground. This hike visits this alpine jewel, passing beautiful Shadow Lake and a series of pretty waterfalls on Shadow Creek along the way. We returned around 10:50 and waited for our name to be called. Itinerary. Whether you’re spinning, baitcasting or fly fishing your chances of getting a bite here are good. To get to Ediza Lake, we stay to the left where it becomes the River Trail. Permits can be found at. We will take the high trail: 1000 island lake, Garnet Lake and back thru Ediza Lake. 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. 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. This is what it’s all about…medicine for the soul. Lots of dayhikers to Shadow, Ediza and Thousand Island and narrow or rocky track passings. 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. Check out some of the links below to see other articles in the area as well as other overnight trips we have experienced! After reaching Ediza Lake, you can either return via the way you came, or do the loop shown on this page. Please add your email below! We decided to keep on exploring so we climbed higher up the granite, grass, and snow mountainside. What you need to know for Ediza Lake For most of the year, this trip requires a permit to stay overnight. There are two different work permits available, and the one that is required is dependent up the age of the minor. Fishing Permits: Daily Fishing: $24.00: 3 Day Fishing: $62.00: Second Rod – Daily: $24.00: Second Rod – 3 Day : $62.00 . Ediza Lake is one such gem. At one point, we managed to fit six people into our little tent. We were glad that we didn’t dismiss it due to its popularity, as it really is stunning. 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. If you are planning on taking photos on your trek, Shadow Creek is a favorite for photographers. There is no cell service at Ediza Lake. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As it got dark, everyone crawled back into their tents. Permits. DAY 1: Total Miles ~8. To get to the trail we took off our shoes and crossed an ice cold freezing [my feet are so cold the rest of my body hurts] river while getting attacked by mosquitoes that showed no mercy. (Information is based on what we experienced in 07/2019. ... On the south side of Lake Ediza, between Shadow Creek Trail and Shadow Creek (from Shadow Lake to Lake Ediza outlet crossing), and within 300 feet of the shore of Shadow Lake. So we set our sights on up in the direction that we thought Iceburg Lake was and up we went. We made breakfast and packed up. Ediza Lake Hiking Detail, hiking trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. Date Hiked: September 4-5, 2020. And up. You will pass Shadow Lake; walk around the south side of the lake for mountain views. As we were looking for a spot to set up camp for the night we only noticed two other tents set up. Head toward Ediza Lake "H" for the best position to climb Ritter and Banner Peak. We climbed around on the granite nearby and enjoyed having nothing to swat at. And if you shop on Amazon, please first click the link below to get there. #rivertrail #sierranevada #johnmuirtrail #camping #tent #sunrise #wildseekers #wildernessculture #msr … (Note: if Agnew Meadows is closed, you can park at Upper Soda Springs Campground for no bushwhacking and instant access to the PCT.). Ediza Lake is a popular backpacking destination and one our favorite places we've been in the Sierra (John Muir too). So in the meantime, we hit the Mammoth Skate Park and cruised Shady Rest Trail. I would definitely come back, if only to see the Minarets. But more importantly, we were appreciative for all of the beauty that we encountered! He also considered Ediza Lake to be the most beautiful of all the multitudes of lakes in the Sierra. Current regulations and no-camping zones are posted along the trail. Once on the Shadow Lake trail, you begin to climb up switchbacks to Shadow Lake. Even so, I wanted to point out this option that caught our eye: Totaling about a 23.3 mile loop and of course numerous side exploration opportunities and other lakes to stop and enjoy!). It is the second highest peak in the Ritter Range, very close to its bigger neighbor Mount Ritter, 200 feet taller. The Minarets, however, were still feeling pretty shy. The farther you venture the better the camp spots and views. 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! Hike across the stream and gain the last hundred feet or so to Ediza Lake. Backpacking Ediza Lake | Written by Brian Callender | Photography by Julie Boyd ... An unexpected bonus prior to heading off the grid. Permits are issued at Inyo National Forest visitor centers. On the website there is a $5 per person fee as well as a $6 fee for the online processing.