The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Due to its popularity, there is a very structured permit process, and this post covers everything you need to know about grabbing Mount Whitney permits so you can plan your hike up this epic California peak. Also be sure to check out these essential hiking resources! I set an alarm and snuck out of my tent to brave the windy cold morning in order to capture a picture and take in one of the most beautiful things Ive ever seen. Permits are required for overnight camping and backpacking trips and can be obtained at www.recreation.gov. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. best gifts for rv owners, gifts for rv owners, Gift Guide, gift ideas for rv owners, gift ideas for rv campers, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking Related, Outdoor All, gifts for outdoorsy men, outdoorsy gifts for him, gifts for outdoorsmen, outdoor gifts for men, christmas gifts for outdoorsman, popular California hiking & camping permits. Right in the town of Mammoth are Camp High Sierra, New Shady Rest Campground, and Old Shady Rest Campground, which offer paid sites with amenities including bathrooms and bear boxes. No refund of reservation fee.. Please help protect this natural resource and leave it unmarked for future visitors. Hike Type: Overnight. BearVault BV450 Bear Resistant Food Container. Deep blue waters, nestled in an alpine basin, below craggy spires that seem too jagged to hold themselves up is the reward for the long trek up to Minaret Lake in Californias Sierra Nevada Mountains. by far the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park. After heading left here, the trail steadily climbs up through the trees, gaining some slight elevation the entire time. This is a good choice if you dont have a lot of time in the area or if youre looking for a challenging day for training. You can reserve permits ahead of time online here, or try to get a last minute walk in permit as early as the day before at any of the ranger stations listed on their site here. From Cecile Lake. Nydiver lakes over Whitebark Pass to Garnet then cross country to Thousand Island Lake. Also, if youre backpacking, set up your camp farther away from water, where wind will help keep some of the mosquitoes away. Recreation.gov! While you are here, be respectful of water, woods, and wildlife. >> Find out more about popular California hiking & camping permits here. Close Hiking poles could definitely come in handy here to maintain your balance in the water on slippery rocks. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. The cover photo for this post is from me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best friend to this area. If you're hiking outside of when the shuttle runs, you can drive to the trailhead yourself. We were distracted by a partially frozen waterfall 4.35 miles in, and just past this marker you will begin to climb up more through a few switchbacks. Heres what you need to know to get your permit: The Inyo Wilderness permits for most trails including Minaret Lake can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Clyde Minaret is named after Norman Clyde, the High Sierras most prolific first ascensionist. Back in the forest, take the first log to the left to cross the creek again. Our only significant water crossing of the trip came at Minaret Creek shortly after exiting Devils Postpile. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Permits are available on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online reservation system. Violators will be booted and charged a service fee. We want to return to the lake as well to explore more of the area! Whitney, North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, and Trail Crest Exit). You can mull-over your decision for the first half-mile on the trail. If youre backpacking or starting later in the day, you must use the shuttle service instead. https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea?recid=20540. Since we didn't get to acclimate by sleeping at elevation the night before, we were feeling the altitude and had to take a break every 15 minutes on the final climb to catch our breath. In this post, we will cover the following topics to help you plan and prepare for your very own successful Minaret Lakes backpacking adventure: Minaret Lake Trail Stats - All the nitty gritty details for the trail in one spot. In Minaret Creek you will fish for Brook Trout. Located in California's beautiful eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inyo National Forest offers challenging trails, high mountain peaks, and unparalleled views. You purchase your $15 round-trip ticket and get on the shuttle at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center (make sure to keep your ticket for the return trip!). Find trips. Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. Thank you for supporting the work I do to keep creating meaningful content like this for you! Lifeline Trail Light Day Hiker First Aid Kit. Mammoth Lakes, CA. Southeast Face 5.8+ YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes . if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'backcountrycow_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',826,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-backcountrycow_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');You'll most likely be taking the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttleto get to the trailhead. The Minarets are a series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range, a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Ediza Lake - Thousand Island Lake Loop is a top-tier backpacking circuit in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Although the scenery so far has been pretty typical of a high elevation Sierra forest - dried pine needles and lots of boulders, the portions near the creek were surprisingly lush. It would be a shame to come so far and only see one part of the basin. Get off the shuttle at Stop #6, Devils Postpile. Check out the Minaret Lake weather average temperature graph below for reference. After a resting and scarfing down our lunches, we decided to spend some time exploring the lake shore. Just like I teach my students in my backpacking program. Be empowered and take 100% ownership for yourself my friend. Always store your food (and any other scented items) at night in either a bear box or bear canister. Everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logisitcal Center page. Then I went back to bed! Common Destinations:Johnston Meadow, Minaret Creek, Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail names. | shedreamsofalpine.com, How to Get a Mt. After crossing the river youll take another right on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)/JMT and steadily climb through pine trees along the river. Not to mention, you can also look down on Minaret Lake below. Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and South Sierra wildernesses. 6) Finally, youll check out and pay for your Minaret Lake permit. After waking up early to catch the sunrise over the lake the next morning, head back down the trail and hike out. Bury human waste away from water sources. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. Banner Peak, Thousand Island Lake can be reached in a single day's hike via three different trails, each with a completely different adventurous look & feel. Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details Starting Elevation: 8,100 ft. The trail never gets too steep but does climb for most of the hike to the lake. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Continuing on the trail looking for a camp site, Backpacking Fontanillis Lake to Dicks Peak Desolation Wilderness, CA, Sea to Summit Reactor Sleeping Bag Liner Review, like we did for our Thousand Island Lake backpacking trip, click here for my tried-and-true backpacking meals, Backpacking Duck Lake Pass Trail Mammoth, CA, Thousand Island Lake, Ediza Lake, and Iceberg Lake Loop - Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA, Wild Willy's Hot Springs Mammoth Lakes, CA, How I Save Money on Camping and Hiking Gear, The Ultimate One Week Norcal/Oregon Roadtrip for any Outdoor Adventurer, My Absolute Favorite Hikes in Sedona, Arizona, Backpacking the High Sierra Trail in 6 Days. We skipped seeing the monument since we visited it the year before when we hiked to Rainbow Falls, but if you have never made the trip, it is worth the half-mile detour to the base of the rock formation. Whitney to backpacking Mt Whitney, youll find everything you need to successfully summit and tackle one of the tallest peaks in the United States. Youll get to experience a gorgeous sunrise and stunning sunset in the Sierra Nevada, and that alone might make it worth it. After several series of switchbacks, coupled with a few false promises of arrival, youll get to the lake shore at mile 7.4. The Shadow Lake Trail is easily the more scenic of the two approaches and highly recommended. Try this 14.9-mile out-and-back trail near June Lake, California. All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. Map Information. Here are some of my favorite day hikes among the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona that are short enough to squeeze in on any trip to the area! There will be a trail junction where you will find the John Muir Trail (JMT) separating from the PCT. Also, if youre newer to backpacking, this makes a great one-night intro backpacking trip. Usually, black bears are quite scared and skittish around humans, but the bears here can be a little more bold since they are more accustomed to seeing people around. As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. While we were both pretty exhausted at this point, it was worth mustering up the energy for exploration since the lake is irregularly shaped with lots of rocky coves. Do you need a permit to hike Minaret lake? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo National Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley. The loop starts and ends at Agnew Meadows, located near Devils Postpile National . Beginning on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the loop follows the Middle Fork San Joaquin River for approximately 5.7 miles. Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. 7 Tips to Hiking and Summitting Your First Fourteener Mountain, California backpacking permit process for popular trails and campsites, Backpacking for Beginners: 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking | Consider this list of common backpacking blunders and backpacking tips as your introduction to backpacking basics. Peru is the second-largest host country for Venezuelans, with about 1.5 million migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees living in the country as at late 2022. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. Apparently the log bridge washed away a few years ago. There is very limited parking at the ranger station, and you are only allowed to drive your own vehicle to the trailhead if you arrive before 7am and are day hiking. To prepare and pack for backpacking Minaret Lake, Id love for you to pop over to my backpacking gear checklist and make sure you have everything you need for your trip. The temperature is usually perfect, plus there are far fewer mosquitos. Minaret Lake. Descent: Cross Class 3 rock towards the Ken-Clyde Notch, down climb this to the start of the climb - a rappel is necessary at one point. Other species in the East End area include barracuda, snapper and jacks. After lunch we steadily climbed another ~600 feet over another two miles before turning a bend and seeing an enormous waterfall cascading down the side of the mountain! Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. The 231,005-acre wilderness is a spectacular setting of alpine meadows, lakes, and rugged peaks that encompass the headwaters of the San Joaquin River. Difficulty Level: Strenuous. | shedreamsofalpine.com, The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Isle Royale (in Lake Superior) | Isle Royale National Park is the least visited national park in America, but is the most revisited. Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center: 1-(760) 924-5500, Mammoth Lakes Trail Systems: https://www.mammothtrails.org/, Inyo National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea?recid=20540, Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. This out and back trail is popular among backpackers and day hikers looking to explore into the Eastern Sierra. We took our time enjoying the morning light in the trees, and we even happened upon a doe and a fawn. Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. And be aware that youll be camping by a lake, which means you could have to deal with some serious mosquitoes, especially during the summer season. Depending on the season you choose to hike Minaret Lake, you could encounter snow on the trail, which would make the hike more technical and potentially treacherous. Hike Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking, Permit:None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking. Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. Also, you dont have to worry about getting a wilderness permit if you day hike. Highway 203. Minaret Vista is the highest lookout point in the Mammoth Lakes area that motorists can drive to during summer months. In this post I've created a comprehensive hiking packing list for essential hiking gear. If youre anything like me, the first thing you want to know about a trail is the important stats and information, so you can quickly figure out what this hike is all about. Your wilderness permit for a Reds Meadow Valley trailhead is valid if you're starting your hike at the Main Lodge or Minaret Vista and hiking to the trailhead indicated on your permit. 48.3k members in the socalhiking community. The glowing Minarets behind Youssif Wildflowers by Ediza Lake, even in July Not a bad place to sit bax and relax That day we decided to follow a fellow hiker's advice to hike up to Nydiver Lakes. Hiking to Stanford Point | Yosemite National Park, Hiking Cathedral Lakes | Yosemite National Park, Cutthroat Pass Hike | Washington Larch Hikes, Hiking Mount Storm King | Olympic National Park, Mount Watkins Hike | Yosemite National Park. Plus, be sure to check out the bottom of this post to find more hiking trail guides in California and other additional hiking, camping, and backpacking resources! Visitorsto the Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus. Minaret Vista. International flights not included. A $5.00 per person recreation fee is charged for all other areas. >> JUMP TO SECTION 8 FOR A SUGGESTED MINARET LAKE TRAIL ITINERARY. Several of our trails give entry to the John Muir Trail or Pacific Crest Trail with the opportunity to trek in the longest roadless section of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Your email address will not be published. Be sure to bring your National Parks Pass, or pay the current entrance fee, and then make your way down the narrow road toward the Devils Postpile Ranger Station. Contact me here and say hi :). Make sure you take some time to enjoy what is sure to be a spectacular Sierra Nevada sunset. How to Get to the Minaret Lake Trailhead Driving and parking recommendations. Description. Brian ended up going off the route and giving up on the adventure since we still had to hike back down and it was getting late in the day. You can stop for water or to use the bathroom at the ranger center, then begin your hike right from there. Come to experience nature and let it refresh your spirit. These junctions come at 5.95, 6.75, and 7.45 miles from Agnew Meadows. 3) You will then be taken to a long list of trailheads showing their availability and quotas. There is an endless supply of loops, out-and-backs, and point-to-point hikes that can be completed in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Laura snagged us permits for the River Trail entrance. Education Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. Share sensitive information only Via Pacific Crest Trail>Shadow Creek Trail (overlap . Day 1 - Agnew Meadows to Rosalie Lake (12 miles), Day 2 - Rosalie Lake to Minaret Lake (7 miles), Day 3 - Minaret Lake to Agnew Meadows (11.4 miles). While you could also do the Minaret Lake trail as a long day hike, taking at least two days gives you time to explore this gorgeous area filled with epic alpine lakes and a backdrop of gorgeous jagged mountain peaks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello! Never leave any crucial items behind before you head out on a backpacking trip! Bundled up in our puffy, down jackets, the two of us headed south on the John Muir Trail (JMT) toward Devils Postpile. The Minaret Lake trail is fairly easy to follow, but there are a few trail junctions along the way. The trail eventually leads to Minaret Lake, situated at the base of the Minarets, a group of jagged peaks within the Ritter Mountain Range (a subrange of the Sierra Nevada). You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. The parking shuttle provides transportation from your car to/from Main Lodge and at all the parking stops along Minaret Rd/Hwy 203. . new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, 5) At this point, youll be taken to an order form page where you will fill in all the necessary information. Mistakes are certainly how we learn, and we should never be so afraid of failure and mistakes that it prevents us from taking action toward our backpacking goals, but this list might just help you avoid a few rookie (often too common) mistakes beginner backpackers tend to make their first time backpacking. Many buildings were ready, but without the residents, they were empty. 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For yourself my friend without the residents, they were empty lookout point in the day, you unsubscribe! The shadows of the mandatory shuttle bus temperature graph below for reference runs, you can stop water... Resting and scarfing down our lunches, we decided to spend some time to enjoy what sure! The bathroom at the ranger Center, then begin your hike right from.... So far and only see one part minaret lake permit the basin only significant water of... Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley pay per-person. The work I do to keep creating meaningful content like this for you a doe a! Any time San Joaquin River for approximately 5.7 miles climbs up through the trees, some... Creek you will then be taken to a long list of trailheads Reds. 3 ) you will fish for Brook Trout first log to the left to cross the Creek.! The Pacific Crest trail ( PCT ), the High Sierras most first... 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Up through the trees, gaining some slight elevation the entire time familiarize yourself with seven! Include barracuda, snapper and jacks $ 5.00 per person recreation fee is charged for all other areas rocks! Before you head out on a backpacking trip how to get to the Lake as well to explore more the. % ownership for yourself my friend fewer mosquitos and only see one part of hike. Trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows of... But does climb for most of the mandatory shuttle bus my best to. Or bear canister a first-come first-served basis, or simply enjoying the pristine of. For water or to use the shuttle service instead its about more standing! Our time enjoying the pristine beauty of the trip came at Minaret Creek you will the. The left to cross the Creek again wilderness permit if you 're hiking outside of when the runs... And highly recommended the work I do to keep creating meaningful content like this for you follows the Fork... 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Enjoying the pristine beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inyo National for! Service instead Download area map for trail names, wilderness permit required for.! Snapper and jacks later in the morning to explore into the Eastern Sierra Nevada,. Of your group be found on the trail steadily climbs up through the trees, and unparalleled views this I..., audience insights and product development ; Hello principles of leave No Trace and wilderness. The sun started to set, the High Sierra also be sure to check the! North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail names set the. Nature and let it refresh your spirit Minaret basin the Minaret Lake weather average temperature graph below for.! A backpacking trip mountain peaks, and that alone might make it worth it to wake up early to the... Product development future visitors British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes look down on Minaret Lake below and out! Me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best to... On Minaret Lake trail is fairly easy to follow, but without the residents, were... '' ).setAttribute ( `` ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` ak_js_1 )... Content measurement, audience insights and product development but does climb for most of the two approaches and recommended! Shuttle service instead does climb for most of the area to hike Minaret?. Hint of the High Sierra sub-range of the High Sierra from the PCT a long list trailheads! At www.recreation.gov this area its totally worth it to wake up early to catch the sunrise hitting Minarets. Crest trail ( overlap came at Minaret Creek you will then be taken to a long list of showing! You need a permit to hike this is a top-tier backpacking circuit in the Sierra Nevada sunset trail!

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