Day Hike To Devil’s Bathtub

Dale Matson

This hike is not to be confused with the “Devil’s Bathtub” in Yosemite.

The hike is about 10 miles round trip in the Ansel Adams Wilderness of the Sierra National Forest with about 1,600’ of altitude gain outbound. The altitude of Devil’s Bathtub is about 9,200’. It is about 2.5 hours up and 2 hours back down hiking time.

    

Ok, so some of these hikes take longer to get to and home again than the actual hike. We set out from Fresno at 6am and arrived at Edison Lake at 9am. The final hour was brutal and is only about 14 miles. The fresh asphalt patches (on patches) on a narrow one-lane road made a slow go of it. I suppose it would have been better with a vehicle with softer suspension. The view of the central Sierras was splendid but I was the driver and had to keep my eyes on the road. Meeting another vehicle can be a bit of a challenge if neither has the room to pull over and someone has to back up. There is a sign by the resort that says, “Freeway ends one half mile” (Not really funny at that point).

After passing the Vermilion Valley Resort (“VVR” on the signs), we continued to the parking area for the trailhead. As we headed out, we ran into U.S. Forest Service workers who had been assigned to clear the deadfalls from the trails. The young ladies with us said some of the trail workers looked like “Hipsters”, whatever that is.

Follow The Arrow On This Sign

Follow This Sign

Panorama Of Devil's Bathtub

The Tom Harrison Map puts the trail junction for heading north to Devil’s Bathtub at about 2.5 miles but my GPS had it further along. The reason I say this is the sign that reads, “Trail” with an arrow pointing to the right at what looks like where you head north but that is too soon. Follow the signs. Keep going in the direction the sign is pointing. The trail at what appears to be a junction heading north only goes to a campsite. You will come to a sign that indicates the place to head north for Devil’s Bathtub.

The final portion of the hike is mostly climbing but it is not bad if you are fit and traveling light. Most of the hike is in the woods and things did not open up until we reached the lake. We reached the lake at about 5 miles on my GPS. It is a splendid sight and secluded in a bowl with mountains to the north. The water temperature near shore was about 60 degrees and two brave souls decided to jump in.

Graveyard Peak On Right And Silver Peak Center

The return hike is easy and goes fast. It was nice to stop in the VVR and buy some well-earned treats for the trip home. Some of the PCT thru hikers were there to pick up supplies mailed there earlier and clean off some of the trail dirt in the available showers. Most of the JMT folks resupply near Florence Lake at Muir Camp. When you are driving back toward Kaiser Pass the area you hiked to can be seen quite clearly but the lake is hidden in the bowl. This is a tough drive but a sweet hike.

Dale (Trail name “Padre”)