🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike
Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
67°F, Clear Sky. Wind 6 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
💨 Wind
6 mph W
Gusts to 16 mph
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
1%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:11 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
7:50 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
2 pm
☀️
67°
Feels 65°
💨 16/17
5 pm
☀️
64°
Feels 62°
💨 13/17
8 pm
🌙
56°
Feels 54°
💨 4/4
11 pm
🌙
44°
Feels 44°
💨 2/4
5-Day Forecast
💧 Humidity
36% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
💧 Humidity
66% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
47% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
57% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
2% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Tue, Aug 18
Overcast Clouds
💧 Humidity
52% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out.
Aug 14, 1:03 pm
Widely regarded as the most beautiful lake basin in the Sierra Nevada. Mount Ritter and Banner Peak reflect perfectly on Ediza Lake, with an optional extension to the snowfield-edged Iceberg Lake.
Trail Overview
Fourteen miles at altitude with sustained climbing means you need to be fit and start early. The basin is stunning but you earn it. Snow can linger at Iceberg Lake well into August. Photography in this basin is extraordinary — build extra time into your turnaround schedule.
This Hike Is For You If…
Very fit experienced hikers only. Ideally with some Sierra experience. The payoff is extraordinary but this is a genuine big day.
Skip This Hike If…
Skip if this is your first Sierra hike. Skip if afternoon storms are in the forecast. Skip if you cannot maintain a 2mph pace for 14 miles.
What to Expect on Trail
Terrain: Good trail to basin then use-trails above. Rocky above Ediza. Snow patches possible near Iceberg through August.
Shade: Partial
Water: Reliable Year-Round. Multiple creek crossings. Filter all water.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Distance and logistics keep this relatively uncrowded. Most visitors stop at Ediza.
Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.
Best Arrival: First shuttle. This is a long day and you need every hour of daylight.
This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.
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14.0 miRound Trip
2300 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
8-10 hoursEst. Time
9900 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
RequiredPermit
Trailhead & Logistics
Address: Devils Postpile National Monument, Reds Meadow Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Parking: Mandatory shuttle from Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center June through September. $10 per person.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: None
Best Arrival: First shuttle. This is a long day and you need every hour of daylight.
Trail Reality Check
Fourteen miles at altitude with sustained climbing means you need to be fit and start early. The basin is stunning but you earn it. Snow can linger at Iceberg Lake well into August. Photography in this basin is extraordinary — build extra time into your turnaround schedule.
Terrain: Good trail to basin then use-trails above. Rocky above Ediza. Snow patches possible near Iceberg through August.
Shade: Partial
Water: Reliable Year-Round — Multiple creek crossings. Filter all water.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Quiet — Distance and logistics keep this relatively uncrowded. Most visitors stop at Ediza.
Who should do this: Very fit experienced hikers only. Ideally with some Sierra experience. The payoff is extraordinary but this is a genuine big day.
Who should skip this: Skip if this is your first Sierra hike. Skip if afternoon storms are in the forecast. Skip if you cannot maintain a 2mph pace for 14 miles.
