We trailblazed to iceberg lake, which was strikingly right beneath the minarets some 3,000 feet above. We ended up at the wrong parking lot, and had to hike along the paved road to finally reach our car. Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. Jul 1, 2020 - Backpacking to Ediza Lake and beyond to Iceburg Lake makes for a stunning adventure! Price. Ediza Lake is one such gem. Continuing down Shadow Creek, you join the JMT, and the loop can be shortened by turning off at Shadow Lake, dropping down to Agnew Meadow and taking the shuttle bus back to the trailhead. 1. Backpacking Ediza Lake | Written by Brian Callender | Photography by Julie Boyd . Ediza Lake and Thousand Island Lake I was lucky enough to score permits out of Shadow Lake Trail heading over to Ediza Lake for the first weekend in June. Sunrise at Ediza Lake as seen from Ediza Lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest. Contact me here and say hi :). Contour around to Thousand Island Lake at 7.8 miles and find unobstructed views of 12,945-foot Banner Peak (pictured), with crevasses riddling the remnant glaciers on its north face. Since we were already here, we decided to hike cross country to Iceberg Lake, which actually is an easy 2.5 mile hike on a maintained trail straight from Ediza Lake. Begin up River Trail (Pacific Crest Trail) from Agnew Meadows, Stay to the right through a junction where PCT breaks off toward Reds Meadow, Descend into a canyon and stay to the right past another trail to Reds Meadow, Turn left up the next stretch of Shadow Creek Trail to Ediza Lake, Reach the outlet of Ediza Lake and continue up the trail. The Shadow Trail climbs past Shadow Lake to connect with the John Muir Trail. When I climbed out of the tent, I let out a shriek of amazement, getting Youssif out of his tent. Starting from Agnew Meadows (8340 ft)., it was a steady climb along the exposed High Trail. Success! There were no floating icebergs in the water at this time, but we did spot a steep trail scaling the sloped sides up to Cecile Lake. (Note that these are based off of Google earth so I am probably underestimating, it has been a long time.) First view of Ediza Lake and the Minarets: 13,149' Mt. Rock Climbing Chillin Camping While the new backpackers took a nap, I continued climbing up a nearby peak to see if I could get a better view of the lake. Determined to see the sunrise, I set my alarm for 5:45AM. (3 miles) DAY 3 (Thursday, August 9): Layover day at Ediza Lake with a day hike to the foot of Mt. Click here for my overnight backpacking trip to Minaret 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. The next morning Youssif and Elaine claimed they were awaken in the middle of the night by something circling their tent and brushing up against it. After another 0.4 miles we reached the junction with the River Trail at 9620'. The fact that three out of three groups told us that the lake was buggy likely meant that they were bad. Ediza Lake, hiking trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. During our 3 day trip, we also hiked up to the summit of Mt. The Zebra Slot Canyon is one of my favorite hikes in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area. I thought they were just being paranoid, but when we looked around their tent there were definitely footprints around the tent! The view from our second night's camp spot. As we emerged on top of the ridge and saw Thousand Island Lake at 9840', we were all so relieved and amazed by the impressive Sierra views. For the junction by Ediza Lake up to the outlet of Iceberg Lake is two miles round trip with 510 feet of elevation change. I fished Ediza unsuccessfully, as the fish were not feeding at the surface midday and with good wind. By the time we finished dinner, the sun had started to set. Hikers can go north or south on the John Muir Trail or continue up Shadow Creek to Ediza and Iceberg Lakes. Eating lunch above the unique lake. Then we climb down over talus slopes to deep-blue Iceberg Lake and descend to Ediza Lake (9,320'). What a breathtaking view! We stopped for a quick snack break at Shadow Lake (restricted to camping) and decided to continue onto the River Trail to see if we could find a camp spot further down. I often think I hear animal sounds at night that I attribute to the howling wind, so I was quite incredulous. Ritter (L) & 12,942' Banner Peak (R) tower above Ediza Lake: Lively waterfall SW above Ediza Lake: View north to the entry from the western shore, the only place camping is allowed: High on the western ridge, the cross-country route to Iceberg … https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/silver-lake-to-the-minarets-loop We decided to continue on to Iceberg Lake instead of subjecting ourselves to the merciless mosquitos. Ritter. Aloha Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA. This classic Sierra loop through Ansel Adams and Inyo National Forest was one of the most beautiful areas I've ever hiked through. RSVP: You will be put on a waiting list, we will contact you via meetup message. I finally hiked the High Sierra Trail, a trip I've been dying to do for years! Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details. 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