This view from our campsite made every one of the 18,000 steps of the climb to Lake Ediza worth it. At 9300 ft elevation, this green gem has the classic Sierra Nevada look of just four elements: bright granite, green pines, clear water and blue sky. Lake Ediza is in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, in the Inyo National Forest, near the Mammoth Ski Area.
About 35 years ago, Lake Ediza was my first backpacking trip. I was a graduate student at Berkeley then, and went with my friend and fellow student, Mike Sipusic. Now I was taking my son Micah, also a graduate student at Berkeley, on the same adventure. Well, maybe without the hail and lightning, but that’s a story for another blog.
This time our adventure began with a 6 hour drive east through Yosemite’s Tioga pass to Mono Lake and then south to Mammoth. From there, we boarded a shuttle to a campground in Agnew Meadows. We stayed overnight in the campground to get adjusted to the 8000 ft initial elevation and began our hike the next morning.
Day 1: Climbing to Lake Ediza
The trip began along the headwaters of California’s longest river, the San Joaquin, before climbing our first set of switchbacks to along Shadow Creek, to arrive at the beautiful Shadow Lake. From here we could spot Mt Ritter in the distance–our destination.
Click photos to enlarge. Where’s Micah? Ahead of me of course! Climbing a path through granite in the middle of a photo.
After a total of 8 miles and about 4 hours of climbing, we made it to our destination. We couldn't believe the gorgeous jade color of the lake. The lake water it was pretty warm, considering that the green color comes from glacial melt. Cool down, dust off!
Soon it was time for sunset.
Day 2: Photo Paradise!
We woke to beautiful reflections on the still lake. Micah prepared oatmeal breakfast with the jetboil with a gorgeous view of the Minarets at his back (note our tent below him).
As we began our morning-shade climb at the signpost to reach a 10,000 foot elevation, we had an amazing panorama of Lake Ediza and the twin 13,000 peaks named Ritter and Banner. After a 45 minute upwards hike, we arrived at Iceberg Lake, and evening more stunning green, and right up against the Minarets. Snow still there on Labor Day weekend! Micah climbed the haphazard pile of rocks to the left of Iceberg Lake to an even higher lake and a bigger view.
I sauntered back down the trail, wandering off trail to get my favorite photo of the trip. The depth of the landscape and its barren, above-tree-line simplicity captures “wilderness.” I like the u-shaped glacial valley heading back to Ritter and Banner. And there’s still a glacier between the mountains!
Click below to enlarge the pictures. They look better big!
Another swim at Beach Ediza and a mystical mountain sunset ended a fine day.
Day 3: Reflections
I woke up early on our last day to wander the lake and take dawn reflection photos.
(Click to enlarge)
I realized I brought along two old-timers for this trip. Mike originally brought me here, and his classic Kelty pack still carries my load. And my dad Ira, engraved in Swiss red, kept us well fed by cutting some fine salami and cheese for our lunches.
Over and out
Soon it was time to leave. The eight miles downhill went faster of course. Micah raced ahead of me, but I was motivated to keep up: a team of four youngsters was blasting awful music as they hiked and I was desparate to stay ahead and out of earshot. When I reached the trailhead sign, Micah congratulated me on not being too far behind.
