The trailhead quota season is from the last Friday in June through September 15th. If you’re looking for a great place to spend some time in the backcountry, we can’t recommend this area enough! About four other parties at the Lake when we arrived, all of them camped along the eastern side of the Lake. For most of the year, this trip requires a permit to stay overnight. Without question we plan to return to this area again as two big lakes, Thousand Island and Garnet are on our bucket list. Most people enter the wilderness from the east, starting in the Mammoth Lakes area (near Devils Postpile National Monument), or from the south near Lake Thomas Edison. Explore Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits in Inyo National Forest, California with Recreation.gov. The trailhead is very popular and was packed when we arrived. You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. It is a short hike without a ton of elevation gain, perfect for my dad’s old bones. Quota for trailheads (reserved-walk-in): High Trail 20 (12-8), River Trail 30 (18-12). The good news is you’ve arrived at the lake, unfortunately you can’t camp anywhere in this first section so you have to continue walking around the lake before you can set up camp. As we left Shadow Lake, we noticed a heavy amount of smoke was descending into the valley we were hiking back to. The Thousand Island Loop Trail of course. 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. Some of these activities may require a fee, but not all of them. Getting to the Agnew Meadows Trailhead. Current regulations and no-camping zones are posted along the trail. Camp overnight at Ediza Lake. Restrooms: Pit toilets are available at the trailhead. The farther you venture the better the camp spots and views. 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. From mile six, the trail feels a bit like rollercoaster as you hike up a rocky exposed section before descending into a shaded forest and then once again back up. Here the trail descends as you continue toward Shadow Lake. We are experienced backpackers (Glacier, Philmont). PERMITS. You can see my other international hiking, eating, wellness, slow food guides here. 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. We settled on a campsite at 8 miles, but found out later that better campsites are further down, nearly opposite of where you first reach the lake. Select Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits. Backpacking trip Ansel Adams Wilderness - Inyo National Forest. ' Additionally, we brought our bear canister with us backpacking as bears are known to frequent the area and proper food storage is required. Minaret Lake – Cecile – Iceberg – Ediza – Nydiver – basin with little lake to the west of Garnet Lake – west side of Thousand Island Lake: 10 out of 10. But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. After reaching Ediza Lake, you can either return via the way you came, or do the loop shown on this page. A wilderness permit is not required for day hikes (unless hiking to Half Dome) or for staying in lodging facilities and frontcountry campgrounds. We awoke to clear skies but the distinct smell of smoke. What you need to know for Ediza Lake. The first day was up the river trail, past Shadow Lake, to Lake Ediza. Day hikers do not need permits and can easily do it from Agnew Meadows in a day. Ediza Lake is a popular backpacking destination and one our favorite places we've been in the Sierra (John Muir too). Backpack to Ediza Lake. The hike from Agnew Meadows to Lake Ediza is unquestionably one of California's most scenic backpacking trips. Ediza Lake to JMT junction was the easiest part of the trail that day as it was mostly descending. Camp near the west side of the lake (per national forest restrictions). Soft sand gives way to a rockier terrain, following along a single track with a steep drop off to the left. We were both pleasantly surprised at how nice Shadow Lake was as well, and even though camping is not allowed there, it’s a great place to take a break along the way to other lakes in the area. Starting Elevation: 8,100 ft. We had good cell service at the Agnew Meadows Campground where we stayed the night prior. At the Shadow Creek Trail, take the 1.6-mile detour west to a campsite by Ediza Lake. For … Three days, two nights. An alternative for reaching Mammoth Lakes from the Bay Area is to take the Sonora Pass. This area falls under Eastern Sierra regulations. Having seen photos of Shadow Lake in the past, Julie and I both agreed that they didn’t do the lake justice. 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. Trip Report. Whenever one of us would act tired, Callie was there to cheer us on. During the summer peak season, a shuttle is required during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to alleviate congestion in the area. Whether you should do it and how long it should take you depends on your x-country skills. Hiking The Thousand Island Lake Loop With Ediza Lake (Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA) Map & Trail Overview. Some trails have quotas, so you might want to have an alternate plan. When to go: Late June to early October . On our drive home through Yosemite that night, we were greeted by an eerie orange haze that felt like we were on another planet. We also spent some time filtering water for the evening and had the chance to try out our new system. This x-country path from lake to lake corresponds to Roper's Sierra High Route. DAY 2: Total Miles – 7.7 miles. We started out by taking the PCT South/River/Shadow Lake trail which is just opposite the pit toilets and bear boxes. Pick one up at the Forest Service station in Mammoth BEFORE you go. We stood in a short line until the Ranger Station opened at 8:00. Shadow Lake and Lake Ediza are extremely popular backpacking destinations, and camping restrictions apply. 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 water from the inlet river prevented this. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. Initially, we had planned on backpacking for three nights and venturing over to a few of the other popular lakes in the area. The John Muir Trail (and Pacific Crest Trail) passes through this wilderness, and it can be reached from both sides of the Sierra crest. 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. You will exit the park on the east side and continue south on Highway 395 towards Mammoth Lakes. There are special restrictions in the area between Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake, designed to reduce impact in these highly used areas. With California in the midst of record fire season, we knew it was a strong possibility that we might get some drifting smoke. At 0.75 miles in, you’ll reach the boundary for the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Activities like hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, skiing, and horse camping are allowed. The plan was very beginner appropriate. This was her first backpacking trip with someone other than just me, and she relished in the opportunity to help herd the pack up the trail. 7.3 miles and 1300 feet of elevation gain. This route allows you to bypass Yosemite and the entrance fees associated with traveling through the park. Following the swim, we changed, ate dinner, and went to bed for an early sunrise. Appreciate you following along! Red Tape: Overnight camping requires a permit from Inyo NF. The first section of the hike is flat following along a soft, sandy path, but offers little shade. Overnight permits can be reserved online through Recreation.gov, and the ones we reserved were for AA09 - High Trail. Ediza Lake to Thousand Island Lake. Take an upper section of Shadow Creek Trail up to Ediza Lake. Food Storage: There are two bear boxes at the Agnew Meadows trailhead. Ediza Lake Hiking Detail, hiking trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. The average fine for hiking to The Wave without a permit exceeds $1,000. Permits for Backpacking Peeler Lake Loop. Ediza Lake is only about 6 miles from Agnew Meadows, but as a weekend trip, it is hard to beat. Arriving from Southern California, the route traveling north on Highway 395 is an incredibly scenic drive. Once in Mammoth, take Minaret Road which will lead to the Devil’s Postpile/Reds Meadow area. Know Before You Go: Backpacking to Ediza Lake Permit Process Information: Permits: Permits are required for all overnight use. The trail starts along the PCT from Agnew Meadows, and less than a mile in, the PCT breaks off and you will continue to the right past the junction towards Shadow Lake. A moderate-grade trail passes the San Joaquin River and Shadow Lake, following a substantial creek most of the way. Ediza Lake is one such gem. High Trail' Also known as Ediza Lake loop is one of the most picturesque and popular destination in Sierra. Its lower segment opened in 2010, and as of late August 2011 was complete from Main Street and Minaret Road all the way to Horseshoe Lake. Join me on a 3 day backpacking adventure in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. I’d characterize it as perhaps the very best 3 day/2 night backpacking trip in the Sierras. THE FOLLOWING IS THE CURRENT WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE MT RITTER / BANNER PEAK / ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS AREAS AT 10,591 FT. December: 18: To get our permit for backpacking to Ediza Lake, we went to the Mammoth Lakes Ranger Station around 7:30 am the day before our trip. The views going up are great since a fire a few years back cleared out some of the trees, and the lake at the top is a classic small mountain lake.” Tim, Washington, DC. We passed a junction at mile 7.5 that heads off to the left to Iceberg Lake. Once you start on the trail there are no water faucets … After capturing some sunrise shots and having breakfast we bid goodbye to Ediza Lake and started our hike down to John Muir Trail. 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. 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 … Lakes Basin Path. Preparation for your Thousand Island Lake Trip. A single permit for entry to the wilderness at Devil’s Postpile National Monument hiking north magically became available two days into my relentless searching on recreation.gov. Because there is a boulder field on the north side of the lake, it’s best to hike all the way around to the west side to find your camp spot for the night. From Ediza you can day hike to Iceberg Lake, or climb 13,000ft mountains. The Lakes Basin Path is a paved, multiple-use path connecting commercial Mammoth Lakes with the Mammoth Lakes Basin. 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. It quickly became clear that our decision to hike out was the right one as smoke had covered much of the skies around us. Day Use: No permit required Overnight Use: Permit required year round. Date Hiked: September 4-5, 2020. Instead we hiked a couple of out and backs, camping at Ediza Lake and Rosalie Lake and day hiking to Iceberg. (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.) After leaving Los Angeles and the subsequent valley, the drive up 395 parallels the Eastern Sierra as you make your way into Mammoth Lakes. For visitor’s in 2020, be sure to check out our post on Yosemite and their reservation process. Delta Lake Hike | Grand Teton National Park Hiking, Backpacking Ediza Lake | Ansel Adams Wilderness, Alice Lake Hike | Sawtooth Wilderness Backpacking, Backpacking the 20 Lakes Basin | Eastern Sierra. If Agnew Meadows Road is closed, hike in from Starkweather Lake or Upper Soda Springs Campground. 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. Iceberg Lake This short extension off the trail to Ediza Lake heads to a higher lake in a sublime setting below a ridge of steep spires called the Minarets. (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.) At 3.5 miles, your climb is rewarded with a cascading waterfall flowing down from Shadow Lake. Although she was disappointed, the lakes will always be here for us to come back to and they are best visited when feeling good! 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 … Its lower segment opened in 2010, and as of late August 2011 was complete from Main Street and Minaret Road all the way to Horseshoe Lake. Magnificent vistas abound on this moderately strenuous trek into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Here you will continue towards Ediza Lake, which is to the right. Hiking The Thousand Island Lake Loop With Ediza Lake (Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA) Map & Trail Overview Depending on who you ask, the Thousand Island Loop Trail actually goes by several names like, “The Ediza Lake Trail”, “The Ansel Adams Trail”, “Banner Peak Loop”, but they are all … October 19, 2020: Most parks are open for day use. In the Junction we took a left turn to head up to Thousand Island Lake (lots of ups and downs to look out for). During the busy season there are trail quotas in place. 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. Fees must be paid electronically through pay.gov. Start out by establishing camp at Ediza Lake prior to your ascent. There are activities within the monument that require a special permit. Reserve day passes here or by calling 512-389-8900 before you visit. Recreation.gov is your source for discovering and experiencing America's federal recreation activities and outdoor adventures. A percentage of the daily quota permits are available online at Recreation.gov. A fee is required to enter the Devil’s Postpile/Reds Meadow area with some exceptions. Feb 3, 2015 - Sometimes I wonder if these types of posts need any narration at all. You'll go north on the JMT, eventually taking a right onto the PCT, returning back to Agnes Meadow. The hike from Agnew Meadows to Lake Ediza is unquestionably one of California's most scenic backpacking trips. Texas Freshwater Lakes Alphabetical List. Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details. Magnificent vistas abound on this moderately strenuous trek into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. We stopped here for a bit to take our heavy backpacks off and have a snack. The John Muir Trail (and Pacific Crest Trail) passes through this wilderness, and it can be reached from both sides of the Sierra crest. Shortly after you’ll arrive at a junction for a Ediza and Garnet Lake where are you will stay to the left. Ediza Lake is one such gem. Quota of 30 people permitted to start overnight trips each day from May 1 to November 1 for the Shadow Creek trail. Certainly a strange end to our one night backpacking trip. In another 0.2 miles and 700 total feet of gain you’ll reach Shadow Lake. Happy Trails! With our packs full, we began to hike out the way we came in. Permits. 1. Ediza Lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness is one of the prettest hikes I’ve done by Mammoth Lakes, California. There is no cell service at Ediza Lake. Permits are required. 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. We are Brian and Julie, a Bay Area couple making travel work with full-time jobs. Julie was able to capture a nice bit of alpenglow lighting up the Minarets and then we headed back to pack up camp. Shadow and Ediza Lakes Trail [CLOSED] - California | AllTrails After setting up camp, we headed down to the lake for a swim to cool off. Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. The next morning, Julie and I headed along the west side of the lake for sunrise photos. 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