After rock hopping across Minaret Creek for the first time of the day, we reached our first lake of the day.. Johnston Lake (8,127')! If you have time, take a quick stop at Minaret Vista to gaze at your hiking goal for the day. Minaret lake to Nydiver Lakes going past Cecile lake, Iceberg Lake, and Ediza. Then celebrate your adventure by heading to Mammoth Lakes for hearty burgers and excellent beers from Mammoth Brewing! Whitney Trail Guide: How to Successfully Summit the Highest Peak in the Lower 48 | This Mount Whitney Trail Guide is your A to Z resource on any and all things involving the Mount Whitney Hike. Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. Hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing with confidence and being inspired by the outdoors. This starter kit is filled with 14 pages of my best hiking and backpacking tips to help you learn what it takes to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient outdoor backpacker! Nice pics and description. At the junction head right toward Minaret Falls (or continue straight to see Devils Postpile, then backtrack to this point), and take the bridge across the San Joaquin River. This area of the Eastern Sierras is filled with a variety of wildlife, but the biggest concern is black bears. >> JUMP TO SECTION 8 FOR A SUGGESTED MINARET LAKE TRAIL ITINERARY. It details all the key milestones of the hike including the trailhead start, summit, and more. Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. In that case, its probably worth spending a night in Mammoth Lakes before the hike in order to give your body a little time to adjust. To be completely honest, getting to the Minaret Lake trailhead can be a bit of a hassle. Get off the shuttle at Stop #6, Devils Postpile. In Minaret Creek you will fish for Brook Trout. But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. If you are looking for additional California hiking adventures, check out our resources below: Hiking Death Valley's Tallest Peak, Telescope Peak. 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. Note that during peak season, you will have to take a shuttle from Mammoth Mountain Inn to the trailhead as parking is limited. Your write up motivates me to go back in fall. The lack of permits hinders access . Official websites use .gov A .gov
Hey, I did a three day Agnew meadows-thousand island lake via the pct and then looped back to agnew meadows with a stop at Minaret Lake off the JMT. This entire time we hadn't had a single glimpse of the Minarets that we would be camping beneath. Our only significant water crossing of the trip came at Minaret Creek shortly after exiting Devils Postpile. Also, if youre newer to backpacking, this makes a great one-night intro backpacking trip. Inyo National Forest Wilderness Food Storage Requirements, Inyo National Forest
Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. Devil's Postpile Ranger Station. All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. We headed to bed early in normal backcountry fashion, and woke at dawn to catch the sunrise. Once at the top, you are standing at nearly 10,500 feet and will have impressive panoramic views of the Minarets, Mount Ritter, and Banner Peak. 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. This backpacking checklist goes over everything you might need on a 3-5 day backpacking trip (with a printable checklist), plus my personal recommendations on the best gear for each of the different items. Multi-day Moderate 4.4 (37) Starkweather Lake Trail Inyo National Forest Length: 4.9 mi Est. After reuniting back by the lake shore, it was time to race the sun and head back to the car. The trail never gets too steep but does climb for most of the hike to the lake. 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. Ata Beit, Baitik and Ala Archa - nature and history. Its important that you research your weather conditions before you go, weeks and days before your trip. Never leave any crucial items behind before you head out on a backpacking trip! Whitney Zone Off the JMT Coldwater Canyon Blayney Hot Springs area The 7-mile hike to base camp is mostly uphill and follows Minaret Creek. You can plan this trip as one or two nights, depending on the time you have to spend in this amazing alpine setting. How to Get a Minaret Lake Permit The step-by-step process to get the required Minaret Lake permit for backpacking. 48.3k members in the socalhiking community. I created the Ultimate Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for you (and it's FREE)! on official, secure websites. When backpacking to Minaret Lake, youll want to camp near the lake itself (especially on the east side) for the most breathtaking views. Back in the forest, take the first log to the left to cross the creek again. A valid Black Pass parking permit must be visible. Click here for everything I pack for a weekend backpacking trip. We want to return to the lake as well to explore more of the area! The lake was quite marshy, but there were some nice spots in the shade to relax and watch the dragonflies flying low across the meadows. If you want to instead start in the Lakes Basin, you will need a permit for Horseshoe Lake Ranger Guided Programs While the summer months of July and August make for great trail conditions, they also are the months when you will find the most mosquitoes. Hiking to Minaret Lake out & back definitely makes for a long day, but it is doable. ft. 6201 Minaret Rd #2403, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 $1,095,000 MLS# 223000169 Welcome to The Village's exceptionally RARE TOP corner unit with high ceilin. Also, you will need to mark if this is a guided trip or not. Through this section there are a few false trails that branch off, and staying to the right each time kept us on the correct path. United States. July and August are also good options, though it could get pretty hot then, and youll definitely want to bring your bug spray. How difficult is hiking Minaret Lake? Youll find plenty of places to stake your tent, but be aware of Leave No Trace rules, and camp at least 200 feet from the water. From Cecile Lake. On neap tides the water inside the lagoon is scarcely deeper than shin height and the fish cruise in shallow water inches deep, tanning their backs in the bright sun. 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. Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip to experience classic Sierra lakes and mountains. The loop starts and ends at Agnew Meadows, located near Devils Postpile National . >> Find out more about popular California hiking & camping permits here. Let us know in the comments! You will have to plan ahead in order to backpack, since an Inyo Wilderness permit is required in order to camp. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 45 min to complete. Choose a campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails.. It is located in the Sierra Nevada and provides stunning views of the Minarets, a series of jagged peaks in the Ritter Mountain Range, as well as numerous alpine lakes and lush meadows. On the more popular trails (Thousand Island Lake, Shadow Lake, Minaret Lake, etc.) All Locations > California > High Sierra > 04 - Ritter & M > Clyde Minaret. After leaving Minaret Lake, follow the Minaret Creek Trail east to the PCT/JMT, where you can retrace your steps to Agnew Meadows. Now youre ready to hit the trail and have a fantastic adventure hiking to Minaret Lake! A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation. Do you need a permit to hike Minaret lake? Since the road to this area is closed approximately Mid-October through Mid-June, it is a hike best done during the summer or early fall. 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. Backpacking Permits Required: Yes. Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. These common but avoidable mistakes are an essential part of your backpacking 101 foundation, so to speak. Makes me want to slide down the entire thing, much faster than hiking back down the switchbacks! Manage Settings Always keep your distance if you see a bear. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. This trail has some elevation gain, but its fairly spread out over the whole hike. There is no better scenery in the Sierra. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. Flush toilet at shuttle stop. We found a nice, well-protected campsite on the southeast shore of the lake that still had views of the tops of the mountains. Spent two beautiful nights camping on Minaret Lake, this recording is the hike back to the overnight trailhead. Distance: 21 miles (hiking as a loop) Elevation Gain: 3,300. planning and preparing for a wilderness trip (PDF), rules for specific areas where food storage containers are required, 60% of spaces are released 6 months in advance, on the matching date (example entry date of July 4 opens on January 4), 40% of spaces are released 2 weeks in advance, on the same day of the week (example entry date of Tuesday July 4 opens on Tuesday June 20), Signed permit must be in group leaders possession, Everyone in group must start on entry date & location on permit, You cannot exceed group size stated on permit, Groups cannot combine to exceed 15 people, Permit is only valid for one continuous wilderness trip, For trips ending at Mt Whitney (Whitney Portal) the permit must specify exit point of, Print trip informatin to leave with a friend (recomended). After gaining a little more elevation, we finally saw the entire Ritter Range in all of its glory.Click here for all important dates for booking CA backpacking permits. Permits are required if you are backpacking & camping, but not for day hiking this trail. Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details Starting Elevation: 8,100 ft. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. Leader or alternate leader names cannot be changed or added., No refund if you cancel your reservation less than 12 days before the entry date. This is a relatively easy hike both into and out of the canyon, with easy access to water, making this a perfect backpacking trip for newbies to get their first taste of backcountry camping. If you are like us and hate crowds, we recommend doing this hike in the fall just before the Reds Meadow Road closes for the season. Here are some of my favorite snacks, breakfasts, lunch, and dinner meal ideas for your next backcountry trip, Outdoor gear is not cheap, so here are a couple of tips Ive found that have helped me save a little on gear. Permits required YEAR ROUND for overnight trips to Ansel Adams, John Muir, Hoover, & Golden Trout Wilderness areas, Group leader is responsible to ensure everyone in their group understands & obeys the conditions of the permit, All wilderness permits are reserved online. Just look for the stream flowing out of Cecile Lake to point you in the right direction. It is located in the Sierra Nevada and provides stunning views of the Minarets, a series of jagged peaks in the Ritter Mountain Range, as well as numerous alpine lakes and lush meadows. Although this probably wont cause altitude sickness, it could make the hike much more of a struggle if youre coming from sea level. Outdoorsy women are badass. This backpacking starter kit is filled with 14 pages of my best hiking and backpacking tips to help you learn what it takes to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient outdoor backpacker! This out and back trail is popular among backpackers and day hikers looking to explore into the Eastern Sierra. Crossing Minaret Creek Due to the high snow fall year and late melt, mosquitos were out in full force even in August. Minaret Lake Hike | Words By Julie Boyd |Photos by Julie Boyd and Brian Callender. 2021Outdoor Project. Important Minaret Lake Safety Tips Tips about the top hazards to expect along the Minaret Lake trail. When to Hike Minaret Lake The best time to hike Minaret Lake and typical weather to expect on your trip. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor Lifeline Trail Light Day Hiker First Aid Kit. *Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links. 4) If you find an available date that works for you, click on the date, then Book Now.. Contact the wilderness permit office if you have questions or need to reissue a permit with corrections. Apparently the log bridge washed away a few years ago. Minaret Vista is the highest lookout point in the Mammoth Lakes area that motorists can drive to during summer months. Distance: ~6.4 miles. 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. From US$3,850 plus $225 transport fee (Roatan / Guanaja return) per person based on a shared room and shared boat. The Minarets and mountains to the west High Trail goes between shaded areas of pines and exposed areas of sage brush for the next third of a mile to reach the first of three trails that branch off High Trail to ascend to the Clark Lakes. As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. While this hike is not extremely difficult, it is long, especially as a day hike, which could be too much for younger kids. If you have more than one car in your group, leave one of your cars up at Minaret Vista and carpool to the trailhead to have a better chance of getting a spot. BUS SHUTTLE INFORMATION: https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm. Just past the lake, there will be another fork where you will stay to the left: saying goodbye to the JMT and hello to the Minaret Lake Trail. Sitting directly below the summit of the towering 12,900ft. If youre looking for specific information, feel free to skip ahead to the section youre looking for! Shuttle stop #1 is Agnew Meadows. We recommend frequently checking the website before arrival as operating hours vary due to weather. Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. Try this 14.9-mile out-and-back trail near June Lake, California. On an overnight trip, it would definitely be worth it to try again. To the north is a meadow, to the south, you can see the distinctive basalt columns formed millions of years ago. Have you ever been to Minaret Lake? Difficulty Level: Strenuous. Among the lakes featured in this section are Johnston Lake, Vivian Lake, Rosalie Lake, and Shadow Lake. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. No rain checks or credits. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Hiking to Minaret Lake is not particularly dangerous, as it is not at all technical, but be careful at the stream crossing. 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