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. As with all bears, you should practice standard bear safety principles including (but not limited to) the following: Make noise while you hike so wildlife is never startled by your presence. We headed to bed early in normal backcountry fashion, and woke at dawn to catch the sunrise. 'We thought catching permit on a fly might just be possible, but they outwitted us totally that first year,' says Steve Brown who owns the fishing operation. There are permit here too and these tend to range from 15 to 25lb, although in favourable conditions there's a chance of a fish weighing 30lb or more. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. Day two. Day Four. Download maps, and emergency information before starting on the trail., Plan to be self-sufficient, bring adequate supplies of food, water and clothing., Do not leave food or refuse in your car or tent. . Earlier or later in the season (June or October), you could potentially encounter snow, which would definitely make the trail more of a challenge and potentially be dangerous. This entire time we hadn't had a single glimpse of the Minarets that we would be camping beneath. Put on your pack and hit the trail. Only the group leader or listed alternate can pick up or use the permit. From this point, youll be alternating between forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles. While I initially hoped to visit on an overnight trip so that I could capture the early morning on the peaks, we decided that the frigid temperatures during a night in October would be a bit uncomfortable. Be empowered and take 100% ownership for yourself my friend. Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. Come, take a deep breath of clean mountain air. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Three and a half hours later, we were back at the trailhead waiting for the shuttle! and reservations. Via Pacific Crest Trail>Shadow Creek Trail (overlap . We watched the final light rays radiating up from behind the mountains glow from yellow to orange before the sky darkened and blue hour set in. Follow signs for the JMT and trek north through lush meadows and pine forests. Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. 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. Continue along the east side of Ediza Lake, Iceberg Lake, and Cecile Lake. I created the Ultimate Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for you (and it's FREE)! Follow the trail to around 1.5 miles, where the trail veers away from Horsethief Creek and approaches Pine Valley Creek. 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. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. 1 / 6. After waking up early to catch the sunrise over the lake the next morning, head back down the trail and hike out. Minaret Vista. Dont ever risk getting lost, and dont rely on other people for your safety outdoors. Get to know this 34.1-mile loop trail near June Lake, California. Important Notes: At the beginning of the Minaret Lake trail, there is a stream crossing that will be higher earlier in the season due to snow melt. To be completely honest, getting to the Minaret Lake trailhead can be a bit of a hassle. Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. When Michael & I did this hike in late June, the stream was about knee high and VERY cold. You will find free parking in the lots near the Mammoth Lodge. Our first view of the entire Minarets, part of the Ritter Range. A $5.00 per person recreation fee is charged for all other areas. Call Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center for more information. 1-Day Tours; 2-Day Tours; 3-4 Days Tours; Marathons! Be prepared before you go. You will apply for your Inyo Wilderness permit through Recreation.gov. Each hiker will need to buy a $8 roundtrip shuttle ticket from the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center, and you can find parking down the hill. No campfires at Minaret Lakes or Deadhorse Lake; and no campfires at all locations above 10,000 ft. Food, trash and scented items must be stored in. Minaret Lake Situated at 9,793 feet in the Ritter Range, Minaret Lake is a stunning alpine lake with Michael Minaret as the backdrop. But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. Hike Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking, Permit:None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking. Monday August 21. They are easily viewed from Minaret Vista, a Forest Service recreation site located a few miles past the Main Lodge of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. Back in the forest, take the first log to the left to cross the creek again. Just like I teach my students in my backpacking program. He managed to snap a few photos of Minaret Lake from above though, and considered it all worth it for the views. | shedreamsofalpine.com, The Ultimate 3-5 Day Backpacking Packing List (+ Backpacking Checklist PDF ) | Dont hit the trails without double checking if you have all the backpacking gear you need. The Minaret Lake hike begins in the Devils Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California. Remember to leave this place undamaged so it will continue to be what we seek of wilderness., Learn more about planning and preparing for a wilderness trip (PDF) in Inyo National Forest., Wilderness permit is required year round for overnight trips into John Muir, Ansel Adams, Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness, and Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. Outdoorsy women are badass. While Minaret Lake is certainly not the highest point in the Sierra Nevadas, the trailhead starts at around 7,500 feet elevation, and youll end up all the way up at 9,800 feet when you reach Minaret Lake. BUS SHUTTLE INFORMATION: https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm. 11h 16m Hard 4.1 (9) John Muir Trail from Reds Meadow to Piute Pass John Muir Wilderness Length: 64.3 mi Est. Most people hiking to Minaret Lake will need to take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to access the trailhead. 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. Anywho, my permit via recreation.gov was for the Inyo National Forest on the High . If youre looking for specific information, feel free to skip ahead to the section youre looking for! *Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links. Follow along as we share our adventures at home & abroad. Our only significant water crossing of the trip came at Minaret Creek shortly after exiting Devils Postpile. Beginning on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the loop follows the Middle Fork San Joaquin River for approximately 5.7 miles. Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. Turn right at the junction, follow the sign for Minaret Falls and cross a bridge. I finally hiked the High Sierra Trail, a trip I've been dying to do for years! 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! Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Elevation Gain: ~1,388ft. Reservations cannot be sold or transferred. 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. The hike down to Minaret Lake takes a little bit of route finding at the beginning as well, but once you drop down to connect to the Minaret Creek Trail, it's all easy downhill on an established dirt hiking trail. After leaving Minaret Lake, follow the Minaret Creek Trail east to the PCT/JMT, where you can retrace your steps to Agnew Meadows. Finally we started seeing pools of water, and eventually we arrived on the shore of gorgeous Minaret Lake! Sitting directly below the summit of the towering 12,900ft. Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details Starting Elevation: 8,100 ft. Water must be treated before consumption and can be collected from various streams and lakes. The loop starts and ends at Agnew Meadows, located near Devils Postpile National . Southeast Face 5.8+ YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes . Violators will be booted and charged a service fee. 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. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. Flush toilet at shuttle stop. Incredible contrasts of Son Kul; Express tours. Contact the wilderness permit office if you have questions or need to reissue a permit with corrections. Fromthe Devils Postpile Visitor Center (shuttle stop #6) it is less than a mile to the bridge across the river and several trail junctions. The first water source is about 1.5 miles in and the trail is pretty exposed until then so bring lots of water and possibly a filter. Check for open hours before you go to the visitor center for in person service. We want to return to the lake as well to explore more of the area! The primary bedroom has a TV, an en suite bathroom, and slider and windows that look out onto a lush . In this area, mosquitoes can be a massive nuisance and make your hike pretty miserable, so be sure to bring bug spray and potentially even insect-repellent clothing if youre hiking in the height of summer. Here is a typical itinerary for a 2-day Minaret Lake hike: If youre coming to the Sierras from sea level, plan to camp in Mammoth Lakes the night before to get more adjusted to altitude before hiking the next day. In other words, do the 3 passes have sections like that, or are they all trail? This itinerary is packed with incredible hikes, waterfalls, rugged coastline, redwoods, caves, and lakes you wont want to miss. | shedreamsofalpine.com. Wilderness permit required year round for overnight trips. On an overnight trip, it would definitely be worth it to try again. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It covers both the Southbound Yosemite Wilderness Permits & JMT lottery and the Northbound Inyo Wilderness Permits process inside of this guide. Take time to enjoy the views as well as the pristine waters of Minaret Lake while walking along its shores. Nice pics and description. Traditional check in includes the chance to ask questions in person, rent a bear can, or purchase maps along with printing the permit. Let us know in the comments! 1) Go to the Recreation.gov website and search for Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits. Day three. Park here, use the restroom one last time, and be sure to lock away all scented items in the nearby bear lockers. 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! Just be smart, make noise while you hike, and youll likely avoid a bear encounter. Choose a campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails.. Minaret Lake should be on every backpacker's list. Moderate to strenuous. Get off the shuttle at Stop #6, Devils Postpile. I would imagine in summer it might be a bit more of an ordeal, especially in the early months, or after a season of heavy snowfall. Shuttle stop #1 is Agnew Meadows. 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. On the more popular trails (Thousand Island Lake, Shadow Lake, Minaret Lake, etc.) Map Information Activities But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. Additional lower elevation no campfire areas: On the JMT Duck Creek Purple Creek McGee Canyon Pocket Meadow area Mt. Turn right on Minaret Road and go to Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center (Main Lodge) for long term parking and to board the mandatory shuttle to the trailhead. Day 1: Car at Agnew Meadows Road to Ediza Lake (Shadow Creek). If you see "W" on the reservation page it means the quota for 6 month advance is fully booked. Then celebrate your adventure by heading to Mammoth Lakes for hearty burgers and excellent beers from Mammoth Brewing! While you are here, be respectful of water, woods, and wildlife. The Minarets are a series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range, a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada mountains. But be sure to get up early to try to make it to the trailhead before 9am to grab parking. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 45 min to complete. Stay to the left on the JMT when it branches off from the PCT, and continue your climb unless you feel like making the detour to Minaret Falls. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. In this post I've outlined key deadlines to mark your calendars with for some of Californias most iconic locations such as Yosemite Wilderness Permits, Inyo National Forest Permits, Mount Whitney Permits, Half Dome Permits, JMT Permits, Joshua Tree camping reservations, Lost Coast backpacking permits and much, much more!. I already have a permit for this trailhead. Not to mention, you can also look down on Minaret Lake below. Devils post pile up Minaret Creek trail to Minaret Lake. Its a good idea to take a GPS map to navigate so you dont get off course. The 7-mile hike to base camp is mostly uphill and follows Minaret Creek. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. I've been wanting to visit Minaret Lake for so long now, and I love that I was able to squeeze in a weekend trip from the Bay Area. In this post I've created a comprehensive hiking packing list for essential hiking gear. Walk-in permits are free of charge. Happy trails! After several series of switchbacks, coupled with a few false promises of arrival, youll get to the lake shore at mile 7.4. It was right in the middle of a meadow, close to the banks of the lake. From the Main St/Minaret Road (CA-203) intersection in Mammoth Lakes, follow the Minaret Road northwest for ~4.1 miles to the Mammoth Mountain Village. And definitely dont leave food in your car at the trailhead use a bear locker for anything you dont bring with you on the trail. Permits are required for overnight camping and backpacking trips and can be obtained at www.recreation.gov. We provide tools and tips to discover Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. Always store your food (and any other scented items) at night in either a bear box or bear canister. Use this JMT permit guide to demystify the whole lottery application process and increase your chances of grabbing a JMT permit. In the morning, get energized with strong coffee and yummy breakfast burritos at Stellar Brew. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor At the 2.28 mile mark, Brian and I arrived at Johnston Lake. 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. | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking Mt. If you have time, take a quick stop at Minaret Vista to gaze at your hiking goal for the day. Tagged: backpacking, trip report, CA, Sierras, lakes, Eastern Sierra, NorCal, Mammoth, I'm Alice, a weekend hiker and outdoor adventurer based out of the Bay Area in California. Search & Rescue Mountain Safety Message., Be alert when arriving at night in areas with bear activity. This out and back trail is popular among backpackers and day hikers looking to explore into the Eastern Sierra. Near the beginning of this trail, you will come to a stream crossing near Johnston Lake. Youll get to experience a gorgeous sunrise and stunning sunset in the Sierra Nevada, and that alone might make it worth it. The craggy Minarets surround the region. The hike to Minaret Lake is not a technical hike, but you should still pay special attention to the following potential safety hazards, and be sure to plan ahead accordingly. No rain checks or credits. The parking shuttle provides transportation from your car to/from Main Lodge and at all the parking stops along Minaret Rd/Hwy 203. . Trips beginning on Inyo National Forest may continue into the wilderness areas of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks., As you plan your trip, remember that we must take care of this amazing place. by far the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure, Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California. Please Leave No Trace. Whether you are seeking solitude, exceptional scenery, or sharing a wilderness adventure, there are many ways to create a memorable experience. 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. More details on the quota can be found on the National Forest Service site. Located in California's beautiful eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inyo National Forest offers challenging trails, high mountain peaks, and unparalleled views. Map showing recreational areas. There were too many peaks to count, and I can see why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot. The Minaret Lake trail is fairly easy to follow, but there are a few trail junctions along the way. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. How long does it take to hike Minaret Lake? A per person recreation fee is charged for your group when reserving a wilderness permit for entry on Inyo National Forest trails. Out of all the places I've backpacked in the Eastern Sierra, the Minarets have to be the most jagged and dramatic section of mountain range in the Sierra. Being novice backpackers, we made a poor selection for our campsite. . Dispose of trash in bear resistant trash cans., Visitors to the Mt. To the north is a meadow, to the south, you can see the distinctive basalt columns formed millions of years ago. Never leave any crucial items behind before you head out on a backpacking trip! BearVault BV450 Bear Resistant Food Container. On popular summer weekends the quota for permits may run out, so . 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. Some cross country sections along unmaintained trails that may be difficult to see and not marked well. And there are a few absolutely essential items I want to make sure you have ready to go when youre heading out on your Minaret Lake adventure. Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. 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. All Locations > California > High Sierra > 04 - Ritter & M > Clyde Minaret. Also, you will need to mark if this is a guided trip or not. A bucket list hike for every outdoor lover! 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