View of Thousand Island Lake from saddle. The top of this pass is gorgeous, with lovely alpine scenery, and the peaks of Banner and Ritter looming over it all. Day Four: Starting from the east side of Thousand Island Lake, take the Pacific Crest Trail aka the High Trail, back down to Agnew Meadows. After completing our 3-day trek on the Thousand Island Loop Trail, we decided to reward ourselves with a visit to one of California’s many free hot springs, Wild Willy’s Hot Spring. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This trip can be either a day hike, or a multi-day adventurefest of camping, fishing, hiking, mountaineering and more, so pack accordingly. The JMT will soon run into the Shadow Creek Trail, which leads directly to Ediza Lake. The jaunt to Ediza is one of the most beautiful trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and needs an overnighter to fully appreciate. Ediza Lake offers great views of the Minarets, and close proximity to Mt. The left climbs up to Shadow Lake. It’s the largest lake in the area and a great place to relax, or if brave enough, go for a swim. Ediza Lake, hiking trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. You’ll be standing in lush green meadows in no time! After capturing some sunrise shots and having breakfast we bid goodbye to Ediza Lake and started our hike down to John Muir Trail. We decided to head out early in an effort to hike as much as we can before the sun tires us down. The next day we hiked up to the John Muir Trail and then over Island Pass. September 2, 2019 – Ediza Lake to Garnet Lake September 2, 2019 – Ediza Lake to Garnet Lake. As there are multiple trails that lead to and/or connect each of the lakes, we've provided a brief summary for you to follow. Trek with Judy Home Blog Gallery About Contact Blog Gallery About Contact Camp overnight at Ediza Lake. These cookies do not store any personal information. You will arrive at Thousand Island Lake a few hours after lunch, just in time to set up camp, nap, then have dinner. However, the further up the trail you go, the more forested it will get. Before Garnet Lake, the trail is quite exposed. We decided to start at Agnew Meadows. After sunrise we headed back down towards Ediza Lake, where we had planned to camp, but we heard from nearly everyone we passed on the trail that the bugs were absolutely awful at Ediza. The trail offers a number of activity options and is … Email your itinerary with dates and trail names to two emergency contacts and tell them when you will contact them to let them know you've made it back safely. We continue past the beginning of the gully until the … This hike visits this alpine jewel, passing beautiful Shadow Lake and a series of pretty waterfalls on Shadow Creek along the way. Below is the approximate mileage and elevation change for each day of the trip: One: Agnew Meadows to Ediza Lake: 7.3 miles +1,250 feet, Two: Ediza Lake to Garnet Lake: 5.4 miles +665 feet, Three: Garnet Lake to Thousand Island Lake: 2.4 miles +465 feet, Four: Thousand Island Lake to Agnew Meadows: 8.8 miles -1,515 feet. 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. To protect your food from black bears, bear canisters are recommended. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. DAY 2: Total Miles – 7.7 miles. The lake was still and the sky clear, and even though it was early, I could already tell it was going to be a hot day. Banner Peak becomes visible in the distance. This is one of the most photographed areas in the Sierra National Forest due to the evocative images taken by Ansel Adams in the 1930’s. He finds things that people have lost! Fed from Lake Ediza and glacier melt the stream always flows well and creates numerous picturesque settings along the way - have your camera read! Before long, you’ll arrive at Ediza Lake. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. But if you want to get in some great fishing on a remote lake, Ruby and Emerald Lake just may be your ticket. The descent from Shadow Lake to the River Trail, The River Trail meanders through that valley below. Review: JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, Review: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa, Review: Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, Trailhead Location: Agnew Meadows, Devils Postpile National Monument, California, USA. Backpacking through the stunning Ansel Adams Wilderness along the PCT from Agnew Meadows to Thousand Island Lake, then over to Garnet Lake for the night. Ediza Lake to Thousand Island Lake. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There are stunning views, big payoffs (Banner Peak, Ediza Lake), challenging but never impossible sections of trail, and wildlife galore. permits required for overnight. Taking the NB PCT or High Trail is an incredible shortcut to see the stunning crags, peaks and snow covered Minarets just w-3 miles in and lots of ridgeline/bluff tent sites. 9285), then traverse up the JMT 5.1 miles (total of 7.4 miles) to Thousand Island Lake (elev. You’ll know you made it to Thousand Island Lake once you run into the all the traffic. This is the very best part of the JMT, and it just got better as we descended to Thousand Island Lake. Ediza Lake offers great views of the Minarets, and close proximity to Mt. Walk around the south, then east shore of the lake to find camping spots. Counter-clockwise loop, 1st night Thousand Island Lake, 2nd night Ediza Lake. It’s been called by many, “the very best trail in the Sierras”. Day 2: 1000 Island Lake to Ediza Lake (August 23, 2012) I awoke around 6am. Lets face it, it is a budget class hotel, the service, the comfort and the food are very average indeed. As an expert in the art of "travel, points, and miles", he has flown hundreds of thousands of miles and traveled to over 40 countries - mostly for free. This was a moderately difficult 21 mile, 4 Day Trip, Hiking out of Agnew Meadows down to the River Trail and then up the Shadow Creek Trail to Iceberg Lake. Be sure to start early so you'll have plenty of time to take photos with the amazing canyon views. Looking down snowfield below north side of Whitebark Pass--- Be sure to start early so you'll have plenty of time to take photos with the amazing canyon views. Agnew Meadows to Thousand Island Lake via Shadow Creek and John Muir Trail [CLOSED] is a 19 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Mammoth Lakes, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. After spending a night at Thousand Island Lake and another night at Ediza Lake, wilderness withdrawals immediately came over as soon as I got home. They are truly a couple of jewels in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. In Aug of 2018 this footbridge was out. Hiked through Olaine Lake, Shadow Lake, Ediza Lake, Iceberg Lake, Garnet Lake, Ruby Lake and Emerald Lake to get to Thousand Island Lake. Searching for Jigsaw Puzzle. This trail treks along choice portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the John Muir Trail (JMT), and the Shadow Creek/River Trails in the Ansel Adams Wilderness – somewhere between Yosemite National Park and Devils Postpile National Monument – in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. Once we got to the western end of Thousand Island Lake there was no reason to continue any further. Banner Peak is most photogenic from the northeast: it seems to be floating on the vast 2-mile w… The hike begins with a 230-foot descent followed by a 1,250-foot ascent to Ediza Lake, so on the trek back you will finish with a climb to Agnew Meadows. The descent from Shadow Lake to the River Trail appeared challenging at first, but it turned out to be a mild and extremely well-engineered section of trail. It is named after the 1,078 islands that spread across the lake. We started from Agnew Meadows. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It was 2.6 miles from the Thousand Lake junction to Garnet Lake up at 9680'. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The Thousand Island Loop Trail of course. On Sunday, we will leave Ediza Lake, and join the JMT 2.3 miles away (elev. Sierra (Mount Ritter / Lake Ediza) Date: 1924 deals, bargains, sales on Bargain Bro Philippines DAY 2: Total Miles – 7.7 miles. Loop returning on River Trail. Olaine Lake. At the time of this writing, there were camping restrictions for portions of each of the lakes to restore areas that have been heavily used over the years. The one challenge here is exposure. Duration: 7 to 8 hours, though 2 days is preferable. The hiking at this juncture is peaceful, undulating, and simply epic. Ritter and Banner Peak. After a delightful camp at Ruby Lake, we left the continued along the JMT until we reached Garnet Lake (and it’s amazing views!). We continue past the beginning of the gully until the slope up to the Nydiver Lakes is visible to our right. Camp overnight at Thousand Island Lake. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Photos: Agnew Meadows to Thousand Island Lake; Photos: Sunrise over Thousand Island Lake; Photos: John Muir Trail and Shadow Creek Trail; Photos: Reflections over Ediza Lake; Panorama: Ediza Lake; Summer vacation: Cape Cod; Europe 2015: Alps; Panorama: Karwendel mountain in the Alps; Europe 2015: Monastery brewery; Europe 2015: Munich August (1) Lots of Alpine Speedwell bloom along the shore in the summer and Ediza Lake Falls can be seen streaming down the … But if you want to get in some great fishing on a remote lake, Ruby and Emerald Lake just may be your ticket. Note that there is no sign for this trail. 2 reviews of Ediza Lake "Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: Mammoth Lakes Length: 13 total miles Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: An overall elevation gain of about 1,700 feet makes this a challenging hike. It is a much more direct approach for Climbing Mt Ritter. The trail next to the bridge would lead you to the River Trail which also could bring you to Thousand Island Lake, but it would take you much longer and you'd miss out on seeing Ruby and Emerald Lakes. Camping is only allowed at the far (western) side of Lake Ediza… Thoroughly relaxed from the Hot Spring, we headed straight for the [mandatory] stop at Erick Schat’s Bakery along CA HWY 395. The Minarets Traverse: Minaret, Ediza, Garnet and Thousand Island Lakes in the Ansel Adams Wilderness August 2007. The junction for Shadow or Thousand Island Lakes comes at 2.4 miles into the hike and we veered left here towards Shadow Lake. Most people hang around Shadow Lake, Ediza Lake, or Thousand Island Lake, and do not visit Ruby Lake (photos to the left and right) or Emerald Lake (below left image). Subscribe now if you want to recieve updates and news via email. Camp near the west side of the lake (per national forest restrictions). This trip can be either a day hike, or a multi-day adventurefest of camping, fishing, hiking, mountaineering and more, so pack accordingly. On Sunday, we will leave Ediza Lake, and join the JMT 2.3 miles away (elev. For a gorgeous multi-day trek, consider the Ediza Lake – Thousand Island Lake Loop. Day One: Starting from Agnew Meadows, take the Shadow Creek Trail to Ediza Lake. The farther you venture the better the camp spots and views. Take an upper section of Shadow Creek Trail up to Ediza Lake. To make it to the lake, you must first trek along a rocky, but stunningly picturesque area. From there, hikers can choose to head towards Ediza Lake, Thousand Island Lake or Garnet Lake. Returning to Lake Ediza: Lake Ediza to Thousand Islands Lake Underway by around 8:30, we head up the same wooded slope that Andrea and I had climbed the day before on the way to Ritter. 9833) and overnight there. Ediza Lake is one such gem. Hike down into a canyon to Olaine Lake and then take Shadow Creek Trail up to Shadow Lake and John Muir Trail. Along the way he's had many great adventures, met many great friends, and sampled many, MANY great beverages. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. Consider an extension to Iceberg Lake. This sketchy footbridge is harder than it looks. When we embarked on our overnight trip to this stunning spot overlooking Mt. Wow, what an overall completely awesome backpacking trip! Follow the road past the ski lifts at Mammoth Resort towards Devils Postpile. 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