Trip to Explore Above Ediza

[Vaca Russ]

“I don’t like to go down to the flats,
because I can’t park on a hill.
Instead of getting a rolling start,
I have to pay the bill.”

C.C.

Sometimes I envy Mark and his Mammoth Lakes home. It took me all morning to drive to the Visitors Center. Ellen, from the USFS, was able to get me the last walk-in permit for the Shadow Creek Trail.

The hike up the Shadow Creek Trail is one of the most picturesque in the Sierra. There is a long series of waterfalls along Shadow Creek.

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Once you get to Ediza the scenery just gets even better.

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I set up camp…

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…and yes, that is my new Tarptent, a double rainbow, just like Maverick’s. I would like to say I needed more space and less weight, but the truth is I bought it so I can be one of the “Kool Kids”.

The next day I climbed up to the cirque between Ritter and Banner.

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For details of the summit trip up Banner please follow this link:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=14742

For a report on my failed summit attempt on Ritter please read this report:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=14747

The vampires were pretty bad but nothing 100% deet couldn’t keep under control.

The meadow above Ediza is an incredibly beautiful area.

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I was planning on ending this report with a picture of grapes ripened on the vine in my backyard. I was going to make some comment about, “Mark may live in a beautiful area, but he can’t grow grapes like these in his back yard."

Guess what, the vermin ate every one of my grapes while I was out!

Thanks for reading my post.

-Russ

[bbayley80]

Russ.
nice trip report!
one of my favorite areas. enjoyed it immensely, along with the Nydiver Lakes, on my way to Whitebark and ultimately Thousand Island.

i'll look forward to reading about your Banner and Ritter exploits.
i've always been a little intimidated of the approach to the saddle-both from Ediza and Catherine- so I've never taken a whack at either...wussed out and hit Davis..

…and yes, that is my new Tarptent, a double rainbow, just like Maverick’s. I would like to say I needed more space and less weight, but the truth is I bought it so I can be one of the “Kool Kids”.

and nice work on the TarpTent!
i'm a proud owner of a Moment DW myself. can't beat 'em.

[maverick]

and yes, that is my new Tarptent, a double rainbow, just like Maverick’s. I would like to say I needed more space and less weight, but the truth is I bought it so I can be one of the “Kool Kids”.

Nice tent Russ! So you got a double rainbow with two doors and extra ventilation, sweeeet. Think you will be able to show it off in Sept at Deadhorse Lake?

[deadeyes]

Nice report; great photos. Beautiful to see this area without all the snow in the col or around Nydiver.

and yes, that is my new Tarptent, a double rainbow, just like Maverick’s. I would like to say I needed more space and less weight, but the truth is I bought it so I can be one of the “Kool Kids”.

Kool indeed...I have an older version of the DblRainbow...I hope Henry's redesign keeps the strut on top from tearing out the seams as mine did.

Nice tent Russ! So you got a double rainbow with two doors and extra ventilation, sweeeet. Think you will be able to show it off in Sept at Deadhorse Lake?

I think by September there should be a large enough patch of dry ground around Deadhorse to set up that mammoth hotel you'll be totin' up there.