A Backpack Cross-Country Traverse of the Minarets

This is Ediza lake looking towards Mt. Ritter. For those who wish to climb Mt. Ritter, this should serve as a guide when reading other guides concerned with climbing Mt. Ritter. Camping is over there on the right in the woods.

Ediza Lake

A Cross-Country Traverse of the Minarets, August/September 2006

Many (most) people use Ediza Lake as a base-camp to climb Mt. Ritter and parts beyond (like Cecile Lake). The above picture should help out for those who want to climb the peak, or just want to know how it is done.

Someone else is camped nearby. Looking east over Ediza Lake.

Looking over Ediza Lake towards Ritter Pass on the right horizon.

Ediza Lake is one of the prime and most visited lakes in the Minarets, in no small part due to all of the camping restrictions around Shadow Lake. But the main reason to visit can be seen in the pictures, because it is a choice location to enjoy the Minarets and the two most well known peaks in the Sierra: Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak. A base camp here means you have one of the best views of the Minarets available, and you are within walking or hiking distance of a huge number destinations. Good camping is available at the west end of the lake, but the Rangers will tell you what is available for camping, and what is not.

The south side of the lake trail continues on around the lake beyond its junction with the (sometimes hidden) Icerberg Lake junction.