Backpacking to Ediza Lake and Iceburg Lake

The gorgeous area of Mammoth Lakes is a great hub for everything outdoors. It provides access to the depths of the Sierras and trails such as the infamous PCT and JMT, lakes abound and not to mention its proximity to the iconic Yosemite National Park. With so much to see in this area, the numerous trailheads to choose from and seemingly endless destinations to reach you really can’t go wrong. After looking at the map, playing with routes and doing some research we decided on backpacking to Ediza Lake.

Although Ediza Lake is a popular hiking trail in the Mammoth area, it is also one that you really should see. We were glad that we didn’t dismiss it due to its popularity, as it really is stunning. Ediza Lake is one of those perfect high elevation lake experiences – a jaw dropping backdrop, clean and beautiful water, granite formations to play on, surrounded by meadows and conifers. Not to mention the option to continue on to the incredible Iceburg Lake!

Planning a trip with all of these possibilities to choose from is exciting! But note that there are a few logistics to keep in mind when planning your adventure such as permits and mandatory shuttles. Don’t let the red tape sway you from exploring this area though, it’s one you won’t want to miss! And actually, once you’re out on the trail you might even be thankful for the regulations and quotas in place. Immerse yourself in this stunning wilderness and you’ll be so glad you did.

Know Before You Go: Backpacking to Ediza Lake

Permit Process Information:

Permits: Permits are required for all overnight use. During the busy season there are trail quotas in place. A percentage of the daily quota permits are available online at Recreation.gov. On the website there is a $5 per person fee as well as a $6 fee for the online processing. The remaining percentage of the permits are available on a first come first served basis for no cost (just a little bit of inconvenience).

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. We stood in a short line until the Ranger Station opened at 8:00. We then signed up on a form that basically held our place in line and indicated the group leader, group size and our desired trailhead.

This step did not guarantee that we would get that permit. The form instructed us to return at 11:00 am. Then they would call our names in the order on the sheet where we would next hopefully get our requested permit. So in the meantime, we hit the Mammoth Skate Park and cruised Shady Rest Trail.

We returned around 10:50 and waited for our name to be called. This is when we spoke with a ranger, decided on the entry point, where we’d set up camp each night, and where we’d exit. If the trailhead quota is full for your desired destination, be sure to have an alternative in mind before they move on to the next person in line and you’re permitless! (Unfortunately the ranger we dealt with was not patient or helpful so be prepared with a back up plan or two!) And remember, if you don’t get your first choice you really can’t go wrong. This whole area is just beautiful. Be sure to read all camping and fire restrictions in the area that you are heading to.

This permit process was time consuming and even inconvenient but so worth it once we got out on the trail and were able to find peace, solitude, and a good camp spot!

Getting To & From the Trailhead

Getting to and from the Trailhead: Between May-October (may vary based on road closures) getting to your trailhead isn’t as easy as just driving there and parking. Well, it is as long as you arrive before 7:00 am or after 7:00 pm. Outside of these hours you are allowed to drive up. There is a decent sized parking area at the trailhead.

But, between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm there is a mandatory shuttle system in place. The shuttle leaves from the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center and departs at least every 45 minutes and costs $8 per adult each way. When leaving after your trip, if you took the shuttle then ride it back to your vehicle. If you drove and you leave between 7 am and 7 pm you will have to pay a $10 fee at the kiosk. If you leave before 7 am or after 7 pm you can exit as you please, with no fee. (Information is based on what we experienced in 07/2019. For more up to date information check out the National Park Service website here.)

Driving Directions to the Trailheads at Agnew Meadows

Directions: This backpacking trip begins at Shadow Creek Trailhead, which is located with a couple of other trails at Agnew Meadows. To get to Shadow Creek Trailhead from Mammoth Lakes follow Route 203 before turning right onto Minaret Road. Follow this for about 8 miles, then turn right onto Agnew Meadows Road and continue another 0.4 miles to the parking area.

Backpacking to Ediza Lake & Iceburg Lake Distance Breakdown

Distance: There are numerous options to consider when taking off from this trailhead but here are the mileages for our short trip:

• Total from Shadow Creek Trailhead to Iceburg Lake: 7.6 miles
  • Shadow Creek Trailhead to Shadow Lake: 3.9 miles
  • Shadow Lake to Ediza Lake: 2.7 miles
  • Ediza Lake to Iceburg Lake: 1 mile

(Note: We love loops but this time it didn’t happen that way. Even so, I wanted to point out this option that caught our eye:

• Shadow Creek Trailhead to Ediza Lake: 6.7
• Ediza Lake to Thousand Islands Lake: 7.8
• Thousand Islands Lake back to the Parking Area: 8.8

Totaling about a 23.3 mile loop and of course numerous side exploration opportunities and other lakes to stop and enjoy!)

Be sure to check out the map and get creative when planning your backpacking trip. There are many lakes to be seen and several loop options!

Trip Difficulty

Difficulty: Moderate; the trail is well maintained with mostly mild ascents/descents and a few “obstacles”.

Our Experience Backpacking to Ediza Lake & Iceberg Lake

Finally with all of the decisions and planning out of the way, nothing could have prepared us for the incredible beauty and the amazing adventure we were about to experience backpacking to Ediza Lake – so let the adventure begin!

After we set off from Shadow Creek Trailhead, the trail crosses a stream and passes a nice green meadow. Then the trail led us through the woods where we noticed a few massive trees!

The trail then climbed out of the valley and follows a mild trail on the mountainside with great views in the direction we’re headed.

The trail starts to ascend rather steeply but quickly rewarded us with a huge rushing waterfall that seemed to fall and fall! We took our packs off to go get a closer view and to let a group of mules pass.

Next there’s a steep climb up to a beautiful, clear river that passes through the woods and leads to Olaine Lake. This lake was very pretty but we didn’t swim because there was still a morning chill in the air.

Not much further, about 3.9 miles from the trailhead, we reached Shadow Lake.

We found a rock jutting out into the clear blue water and we could tell it was deep so we took our packs off and jumped in! It. Was. So. Cold. Immediately all I could think was “ok, get out!”. But it was exhilarating, so we jumped in again. As we were letting the sun dry us and warm us up we saw a deer at the lakes’ inlet. Shadow Lake was beautiful and a great place to stop for a break.

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We got back on the trail and once we got past Shadow Lake, the trail passes numerous waterfalls both on the river near the trail and on the mountainsides in the distance. There were also many inviting swimming holes and crystal clear lazy river areas.

The peaks in the distance started getting closer and bigger. And the trail started climbing out of the woods, becoming rocky and steep. Then the trail got really close to the rushing river on the left and the trail becomes rocks obstacles and then there it is!

The first glimpse of Ediza Lake and all of the amazing granite surrounding it. It was absolutely beautiful!

We followed the trail and scrambled across a rocky mountainside where we picked the trail back up.

As we were looking for a spot to set up camp for the night we only noticed two other tents set up. After we got set up, we climbed around on the granite playground near our camp spot and soaked in the views all around us.

The blue/green of the water contrasted so well with the towering, rugged granite peaks and walls. It looked like endless opportunities for climbing and exploring!

Throughout the day the mosquitoes were terrible in some spots, tolerable in others. Ediza Lake was pretty terrible.

Day Adventure to Iceburg Lake

The next day we packed up a day bag and headed out for an adventure to find Iceburg Lake. To get to the trail we took off our shoes and crossed an ice cold freezing [my feet are so cold the rest of my body hurts] river while getting attacked by mosquitoes that showed no mercy. We followed that trail until it disappeared, thought we found it again but kept losing it.

So we set our sights on up in the direction that we thought Iceburg Lake was and up we went. And up. And up. Finally, we found a lake which we (wrongly) assumed was Iceburg Lake. There was some snow and a small waterfall going into the water.

There were huge waterfalls in the distance. The lake itself wasn’t very impressive but the giant granite walls and peaks surrounding it were very impressive.

We decided to keep on exploring so we climbed higher up the granite, grass, and snow mountainside. We threw a few snowballs and started to get relief from the mosquitoes.

Then just over the ridge, we saw the real Iceberg Lake! Hundreds of feet below us, a brilliant blue, surrounded by a stunning cirque, a huge waterfall tumbling into crystal clear waters and icebergs floating around! Literally breathtaking! And even more so because we thought we had already discovered Iceberg Lake down below!

And then there it was!

We were just in awe, so humbled and grateful for the opportunity to experience something so majestic. And, as if things weren’t perfect enough already, there were no mosquitoes up here! It was our first chance to completely relax and let our guard down so we could thoroughly enjoy being in the moment. This is what it’s all about…medicine for the soul.

After coming back to reality we noticed a group of people down at the lake at the end of a trail. So, there is a trail to Iceberg Lake but we were satisfied with our vantage point that we stumbled across.

We climbed around on the granite nearby and enjoyed having nothing to swat at. There was some still water up in the boulders with some tadpoles in it. After we climbed around a bit we played some cards before eventually making our way back down. The return trip granted us a gorgeous view looking over Ediza Lake!

Change of plans…

We’d planned on staying another night but the mosquitoes were relentless and after packing up camp we decided to just make the long haul back to the trailhead. By the end of it all, through our clothes and a whole bottle of repellent we were covered in mosquito bites. But more importantly, we were appreciative for all of the beauty that we encountered! And once again, nature cleared our minds, filled our souls with joy, and put things into perspective.

On our adventure we saw: a snake, two deer, a tiny frog, a marmot, squirrels, chipmunks and birds.

Actual Trip Breakdown Backpacking to Ediza Lake

By the end of our trip, here’s how we broke up our time on this adventure:

• Day 1: Shadow Creek Trailhead to Ediza Lake: 6.7 miles (where we camped for the night)
• Day 2:Ediza Lake to Iceburg Lake and back: 2 miles (where we explored)
• Then Ediza Lake to Shadow Creek Trailhead: 6.7 (made it back to our car)

Thanks for Reading!

After a gorgeous overnight trip backpacking to Ediza Lake and Iceberg Lake we are so excited to see more and more beauty in the area. Check out some of the links below to see other articles in the area as well as other overnight trips we have experienced!

• Backpacking Peeler Lake Loop in the Hoover Wilderness
• Little Lakes Valley Trail
• Hiking to Fern Lake
• Breathtaking Hike: Twenty Lakes Basin
• Hilton Lakes Trail
• Out of This World Views Atop Obsidian Dome
• Backpacking Beartooth High Lakes Trail
• Hayford Peak and The Cabin in The Woods

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