Lake Ediza to Minaret Lake 09-26 to 09-28

[mammothfishin]

With the weather more than likely changing this week I figured I would get in one more quick trip. We left Agnew Meadows Saturday morning for Lake Ediza.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8066.jpg

The trail was really hot and sandy for a late September day. Soon after you get on trail you enter the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8067.jpg

The push to Shadow Lake really sucks because I know every step and how many more I have to go. Fortunately the view from the top makes it worth the grind.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8068.jpg

The rest of the hike to Lake Ediza is really mellow and very scenic.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8069.jpg

nice camp at Ediza in the trees.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8071.jpg

A little scrambling above camp in the morning.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8074.jpg

From the top you get a real nice view of Banner and Ritter.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8076.jpg

Looking back at Lake Ediza.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8080.jpg

We left camp around 10am and headed to Iceberg Lake. Crossing a meadow under the Minarets.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8081.jpg

The trail climbs through a bunch of brush above the lake. Luckily this isn't Alaska where the Grizzly Bear roams

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8082.jpg

The trail winds it's way uphill

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8084.jpg

Iceberg Lake is one of the bluest, clearest lakes I have ever seen. The fishing sucked but the scenery made it worth while

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8087.jpg

We were on our way to Lake Cecile and had to go up this. At first it was intimidating with a full pack on.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8088-1.jpg

Banner and Ritter from the trail

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8090-1.jpg

if you can call it a trail.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8091.jpg

still going up

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8092-1.jpg

Lake Cecile

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8093.jpg

We stopped here for a little lunch and some pictures. The Minarets

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8097.jpg

Looking back at Iceberg Lake

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8101.jpg

Clyde Minaret above Lake Cecile

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8108-1.jpg

We skirted around the East side of the lake looking for the cross country trail down to Minaret Lake.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8109-1.jpg

After walking a few hours on talus and a steep light use trail we made it to the pass

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8111.jpg

getting down the steep ledges to Minaret Lake

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8116.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8118.jpg

What we down climbed

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8119.jpg

At camp on the shores of Minaret Lake

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8123.jpg

The sun going down on the Volcanic Ridge

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8127-1.jpg

Clyde Minaret above the lake

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8129.jpg

Caught a few Brookies

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8130.jpg

all that hiking makes you very hungry and thirsty

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8132.jpg

moon shot

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8136.jpg

After dinner the fish started rising. I accidentally caught this one three feet from shore. I was reeling in my fly when it hit.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8142.jpg

Morning on the Lake

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8145.jpg

We started to hike out and fished the stream the whole way out. The fish were little but hit every cast.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8148.jpg

They were small but plentiful

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8149.jpg

In the summer you would never be able to stop here because of the mosquitoes. We took advantage of the fall weather. No bugs = hungry little fish.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8150.jpg

I probably caught 50 of these

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8151.jpg

almost home

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8153.jpg

The bridge across the San Joaquin

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8154-1.jpg

We changed plans the first night of our trip and had to hitchhike form Devils Postpile back to Agnew Meadows. Thanks to the nice elderly couple who picked up to tired and smelly backpackers. Great trip. I hope I can get at least one more in before the weather turns to winter.

[gsmedley]

Amazing pictures! I felt like I was there. How many Bud's did you pack in, ha ha. Thanks for the unique pics.

[mammothfishin]

a twelve pack and a liter of whiskey. If I were going on a bigger trip I would've packed light but this was just a fun fishing trip. Packing in the extra weight just makes you stronger.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/sherwinskier/shadow-minaretloop/IMG_8065.jpg

[Greg Madrigal]

SICK FRICKIN TRIP my friend! I applaud the effort! Memoreies to last a lifetime. THANK YOU for sharing with us. I am humbled to have joined you on your trip!

GM<><

[teejay]

Awesome trip report. Man,you must be part Sherpa.

[PWBUILDING]

an awsom report with pictures, i will take a choper and meet you up there .we can drink the 12 together. i will wish you well on your trip back down. don't forget the camera

[Crawler]

Beautiful. :Envious:

[Trout-Slayer77]

outstanding pictures man....looks like a awesome trip !!!

[Sierra_Smitty]

Bitchin trip report! I haven't hiked much in that area....clearly I need to and bring my camera with me - awesome awesome stuff!

[troutdog]

What an amazing adventure, I need to expereince a pack trip like that....the solitude alone must be well worth the effort. Thanks for sharing the trip!


TD

[sandtrout]

Nice touch turning Ansel Adams into a black and white. Can't make it this year due to a blood clot in my right calf...have to sit and sleep with my leg propped up on a pillow but at least I can go seeing pix like yours. Good eye!

[mammothfishin]

I had ACL reconstructive surgery and meniscus repair on May 20th so I feel your pain. Sleeping sucked for over a month sucked and not being able to do much for three months really sucked. That's why I have been getting out as much as possible. Hope your leg heals quick.

It looks like the weather is changing up here but I'll get out as much as I can as the weather allows and post a few pics for you.

[trollmiester]

simply refreshing,what a great report to wake up to. thanx

[tpfishnfool]

Wow! What a trip. Thank you for sharing. How many miles in and out ?

[jrockn]

Beautiful pictures! nice

[mammothfishin]

Wow! What a trip. Thank you for sharing. How many miles in and out ?

I think it was about 15 miles total. We hitched from the Postpile back to the car at Agnew meadows.