A weekend at Ediza Lake

When I first began backpacking in 2011, one of my goals was to backpack in the Sierra Nevada.  A few weeks prior to the trip, I received an email from a good friend of mine inviting me to a multi-day trip to Ediza Lake.  This past year, I had to pass on a few Sierra trips due to family and personal obligations.  The summer season has been tough for me and finding time to backpack has been a challenge.  This trip fortunately, was scheduled on a perfect weekend and I couldn't pass it up.

Trip Schedule:

• September 26 - Drive to Mammoth and spend the evening at a friends cabin.
• September 27/28 - Meet at the Mammoth VIsitor Center to arrange carpool, etc. to the Agnew Meadows Trail Head.  Then hike to Ediza Lake and camp. 
• September 29 - Hike out and head home to Los Angeles.

It's been a while since I've done a multi-day backpacking trip so I had to plan the gear I would bring along with the food I would need to bring.

After packing everything the evening before the drive, I weighed the pack and I was surprised that I was at 18.8 lb.s (not counting water) with 3 days worth of food and a bear canister.

Day 1: Thursday, September 27th.

I drove to my friends house and we leave Los Angeles at 2PM.  The drive to Mammoth took us around 5 hours.  We did the whole tourist thing and stopped for gas, snacks, etc.

USPS Independence CA

We arrived in Mammoth around 7:40PM and happy to have made it to our friends cabin.  We had warm beds waiting for us, it was wonderful.  Thank you for your hospitality...you know who you are ;)

Day 2: Friday, September 28th.

It was a sleepless night for me despite our comfortable accommodations.  I guess I was anxious and excited for the trip and I couldn't sleep.  Thoughts of "Did I bring everything I need?" and "Did I pack enough food?" kept racing in my head.

Before meeting with the rest of the group, we decided to grab some breakfast at The Stove.  We needed a good breakfast  before our hike...we would need it.

We drove to the Mammoth Visitor Center to meet everyone at 8AM and drove to the Agnew Meadows trail head by 9AM.

At this point, I'm getting excited...I was really looking forward to this hike and seeing my very first Alpine Lake!  Once all parked, we load up our packs and start are hike...we started hiking approximately at 10AM.

The weather when we began hiking was a bit brisk.  It was 38 degrees when we began our walk.  I did shed some of my layers a few minutes into the hike.  The last thing I needed was to sweat with all my layers in this cold.

Ansel Adams Wilderness...I'm here!

The first few miles of the hike was really nice.  It was really easy for the most part as we descend towards Olaine Lake.  Once you pass the wooden bridge to head to Shadow Lake, this is when the hike kicks it up a notch.  Oh how I love stairs...

After going through the stairs, we finally made it to Shadow Lake.  It's amazing how the Sierra mountains can punish you with a tough hike but you seem to forget that pain once you are treated with a view such as this...

First glimpse of Shadow Lake

We stopped at Shadow Lake for a quick snack before heading to Ediza Lake.  From the photo above, you can get a glimpse of the Minarets.  After taking an hour break, we all regroup and continue on with our hike.

We continue hiking via the Shadow Creek Trail till we hit another wooden bridge.  At this point, the directions to Ediza seemed confusing.  After consulting our topo's we figured out where we were supposed to go.

The trek to Ediza Lake was a bit funny.  For some reason I kept on reading the topo incorrectly.  I was looking at it and I kept on telling people "oh, yeah the lake is just around the bend"...boy was I wrong.  Headed to the right direction though, but my estimated time of arrival was way off.

Once again, like the hike to Shadow Lake, the Sierra blesses us with more tough uphill stairs.  After a bend, we can finally view Ediza Lake from a distance...tired but not dead, I smile. We made it!!!

Amazing...isn't it?

A bit more of a hike was left till we stopped.  We had to walk around the lake to the West most side to find out camp spots.  I found a suitable campsite on a slope that had a flat spot - I was too tired to really find an ideal spot but I knew I would be fine for as long as it didn't rain.  My tent was situated near a slop that if it did rain, my tent floor would've been soaked.

Home for the weekend

The hike from Agnew Meadows to Ediza took us around 5 hours or so.  We took many stops and tons of photos.  I didn't mind taking my time at all, I enjoyed taking my time.  We arrived at Ediza around 3PM, we had enough daylight to setup camp and relax to rest our tired bones.  At this point, I decided to just soak in the view and be amazed at where I was.  I could not believe I was actually finally in the here...it was breathtaking.  This is only really our "Day 1" on the trail.

Day 3: Saturday, September 28th.

The first night was cold.  Temperatures dropped to 28 degrees Friday evening.  I wore all of my layers and I was happy to have kept warm.  I slept comfortably with no cold spots...it was wonderful.

I woke up at around 6AM to experience my first Sierra sunrise.  Walked around Ediza and just enjoyed the views.  The alpine glow in the Sierra is simply a sight to see...

Everyone at camp wakes up eventually.  No one is rushing, everyone at their own pace.  The beauty of a base camp.  We all gather at our camp kitchen and decide what the group wants to do for the day.  We noticed as we hiked in the day before, the trail to Iceberg Lake was not far from where we were.  A few of us decide to check it out after we had our breakfast.

The trail heading to Iceberg Lake isn't that difficult but the first 600 feet of the trail can be quite a climb.  Luckily, it's only for maybe half a mile or so.  At this point, I didn't really care...I was excited at the prospect of seeing another alpine lake.

After the uphill climb, we reach a plateau and the views open up.  Both Banner and Ritter peaks on your right and the beautiful Minarets right in front of you.  I have to say that I had a "God" moment on that section of the trail.  I was overwhelmed by the beauty and magnificence of where I was...I couldn't help it.

The hike to Iceberg Lake was by far my favorite throughout this whole trip.  It's difficult for me to find the words to accurately describe what I felt, what I saw, and what I experienced.  The photos I took of what I experienced cannot possibly express what it felt being there.  For the lack of a better word, it was awe-inspiring.

Iceberg Lake

After reaching Iceberg Lake, I checked my map and noticed that Cecile Lake was nearby and it didn't appear to be that far.  Perhaps, another mile?  I decided to check the trail leading up to Cecile Lake, from the distance, it already appeared to be too technical due to the snow covering the rock trail.  Upon closer inspection, I decided it's not worth the chance of injury.  I didn't have crampons (nor did I bring them) or my trekking poles with me for this day hike...i was ill prepared to even try this section.

Approach to Cecile Lake

This will be a thorn on my backside for sure but I was not disappointed.  To this point, I have seen 4 alpine lakes and I could not be any happier.

The hike back to camp was anti-climatic, knowing that what lies below us cannot compare with what we just saw.  Arriving back at camp, we found out there were others in our group who were heading to Nydiver Lakes...I missed that chance - this would be another lake for me to visit next year hopefully.  We spent the rest of the afternoon day hiking around the surrounding hills near Ediza and just enjoyed where were as a whole.

As everyone returns from their hikes for the day, we gather for the last dinner of the trip.  We talk and discuss the trail, we talk about food, and we plan our next adventure.  I really had a great time with everyone on this trip and I am so thankful to have been part of such an awesome group of backpackers.  It was wonderful to be able to share my first Sierra experience with everyone...this is by far my favorite trip in a long time and one that I will always remember.

The following morning, we have a leisure breakfast before packing it all up.  We all leave Ediza around 8AM.

Three fast hours later, we reach our cars...ending another trip.  Sad to leave but as much as I fell in love with the Sierra Nevada Range, I have a family and obligations to go home to.  I did leave inspired knowing that I can accomplish anything in this life.  I have set goals since starting backpacking and it all lead to this.  I got in shape, lightened my gear, improved my health and my overall life...it's paid off.

Till the next adventure, see you on the trails.

My feeling throughout this adventure in one picture!