Devil's Bathtub, Edison Lake, CA

[EM2]

Yesterday my daughter and I took a hike to Devil's Bathtub north of Thomas Edison Lake.

We did not see anyone until we got to the lake.
We did come across maybe a dozen people on the way back.

About 4.4 miles one way and elevation gain around 1500' topping out at 9180' at the lake.


The trail varied quite a bit in terrain, from densely wooded to meadows to dispersed big trees. There were two creek crossings which found a way to get my feet wet no matter how careful I was.






Here is a shot through the trees where you can see Edison Lake a ways off.


Here you can see a nice brook along the way. There were plenty of brook trout in there from 2-3 inches up to about 10inches.


Here is our first view of the lake from the trail.


Here is the view of the lake from the south end looking north.
Devil's Bathtub is about .6 miles long and .25 miles wide and the depth looked to be no more than maybe 10-15 ft from what we could see along the shoreline.



Here is a nice view across the lake through some trees.

[Divehobo]

Spend a four days at VVR over Labor day. Caught trout at Mono Hot Springs and Jackass Meadows but at Lake Edison did not even give a bite. We hiked that meadow in your first picture, founds lots of bedding areas throughout meadow, not much in way of critters. Lots of bear patties. Pre hunt season trip and logging some shoe leather. Did not make it up to DBT as meadow was intent of trip.

[hermosabeach]

How warm does the bath tub get?
It's small and shallow... but high elevation....

[Cokebottle]

How warm does the bath tub get?
It's small and shallow... but high elevation....

From the clarity and lack of growth on the rocks on shore, I'd say "not very warm at all"

[EM2]

The water is quite cold.
Air temp was in the 40s, I'm sure in the 30s at night.

The day could not have been any nicer, cool, hardly any clouds, clear, bugs were minimal.

[snacktime]

Haven't hiked that since I was a kid, 15 years ago.

How was the fishing?

[EM2]

We didn't do any fishing and I didn't see any in the lake.
There were some small trout in the creek along the way.

[elmontemike]

That hike is on my to do list for 2017. Thanks for post. Looks like it will be a fun trip.

[furyous68]

Use to be our go-to hiking spot... until it got popular & day hikers started leaving their **** all along the shore line. Would usually hike up & spend a few days along the north end of the lake before heading back.

Still love the area, just can't guarantee some peace & quiet anymore. The water is VERY cold. Usually took a dip before heading back down the trail. The boys would start hanging again by the time we reached the car

[EM2]

I do not know how busy it gets during the summer but when we went there were only a few people there and no trash.
No one was on the north beach.
We didn't see anyone at all until we got to the lake.
Was very nice.

[shooter777]

Awesome post!!! Tho I never hiked that portion, my memories of the that area of the Sierra is grandiose. We hiked from Sonora Pass to Onion Valley about 14 years ago, maybe 320 miles, took some detours. We hiked from the Iva Bell hot springs to Vermillion Valley. The owners bought us beers and the cook, Dave, made me the largest hamburger I've ever had. they even hooked us up with a tent cabin where i got to spend some time with my gf from the bay who resupplied us, ha.

some fishermen gave us some brown trout and butter that to this day has been unmatched. the rest of the way, we got to hike with an f18 pilot and his father out of fallon, camp with a horse packer in Sequoia, experience some crazy snow storms, ventured into the Evolution region. I love the High Sierra. thanks for posting!!!

[furyous68]

I do not know how busy it gets during the summer but when we went there were only a few people there and no trash.
No one was on the north beach.
We didn't see anyone at all until we got to the lake.
Was very nice.

That's good... I'll have to get my brother & try to head back up there. The fishing from shore was never that great for us.. but we didn't fly fish back then. Would like to give it another try with some waders & my fly rod.

[KrisDSA]

Great pics