Four days in the Minarets in winter

That looks like a beautiful trip.

What a beaut! I'm definitely bookmarking this for future reference.

I take it this a no-permit time of year, or is it just the area that doesn't require permits?

Thanks for the report and photos!

Edit: Nevermind — I was able to scan the QR and access the map… VERY nice loop!

Proof that Chris was there too…

This was such a blast! Thanks for letting me tag along with you guys!! I must have looked like quite a sight showing up at the trailhead with a ragged old rucksack and wearing slacks and losing all my clothes on the first day.

Dude! I'm still laughing at some of the ridiculous stuff that happened and some of the excellent shortcuts we took! Count me in on any future shortcuts fellas!

The swimming hole!!

Really great photos Adan…Ediza sure looks pretty in winter.

Many thanks to Andrew, Chris and Adan for making it a fun trip. It was good to catch up with Andrew and Chris and Adan was a great addition to the group this year. Some highlights were Andrew's creative short cuts, Chris's shelter setup supervision and Adan swimming in 1,000 Island Lake. . .

Adan side-hilling:

Chris, Andrew & Adan crossing (mostly) frozen Lake Ediza:

Ediza was in the process of melting out:

Taking a break at the 1,000 Island Lake bridge:

The crew:

Sunrise:

Garnet Lake Bridge:

Adan standing on frozen Ruby Lake:

Somewhere along Shadow Creek:

Chris at the top of another 'short cut':

Andrew and Adan near the bottom:

We couldn't see the snow covered switchbacks on the way to Agnew Pass, so we ended up taking the route straight up this steep snow chute the first day in. It was about 400+ feet of what felt like almost vertical climb at the top:

Nothing like a hot meal after a long hard day:

A few panoramas from the trip:

Agnew Pass view:

Garnet Lake:

Shadow Lake:

Great trip guys.
one of my favorite areas to visit.

snow sure looks skimpy in some shots for winter.

Damn! those are nice. Gorgeous trip. Seriously, I'm gonna have to find some way of getting there.

Stellar trip, guys. Absolutely stellar.

Good time and great company! Seems like we got a little bit of each season all in one trip. Can't wait for the next one!

A few more pics….

Beautiful trip gentleman. I must admit I am jealous.

One of my favorite quick trips. I am gonna be really mad at you guys if next summer the trailhead parking lot is full!

@Nick: as long as the trailhead is full of Americans, not Euros. ;)

Way to get after it!

It's beautiful up there in the snow.

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing guys.

How cold did it get? Also, how'd you determine the frozen lakes were safe for travel? I always use the "you first" method, but I'd feel like an @hole if it didn't work out one time.

Thanks Alex. The coldest night it was 25 F, but it warmed up fast once the sun hit camp. Really mild temps overall. I think Adan had a 30 degree bag and was ok.

I usually check the latest videos from John Dittli to see if the ice can holdup. John ice skates on Sierra lakes and usually posts YouTube vids and some photos on his Facebook page. Gem Lake was probably the big question mark on this trip. It was completely melted out at the inlet, but the other 2/3rds were iced over, except for the edges. I was ok with walking on the parts that were still ice, but I was alone:).