Minaret Lake crowds: You probably wont be alone on this trail, but the crowds usually arent too bad overall. Journey to the Kel Suu lake; To the blooming valley of Karkara. (760)924-5500. Distance: ~6.4 miles. 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. Get off the shuttle at Stop #6, Devils Postpile. And if youve done this hike before, share your experience in the comments!. Its a good idea to take a GPS map to navigate so you dont get off course. Other species in the East End area include barracuda, snapper and jacks. If you would like more information about Fly Fish Guanaja Lodge please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44 (0)1980 847 389. Official websites use .gov A .gov Those 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away. As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. Whitney Permit: Understanding the Permit & Lottery Process for Day Hiking and Backpacking the Whitney Area | Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, which makes it a very popular peak to hike and climb. This path continues winding through the forest, but some of the scenery gets more interesting as Minaret Creek cascades through a shallow, rocky canyon. Bundled up in our puffy, down jackets, the two of us headed south on the John Muir Trail (JMT) toward Devils Postpile. Common Destinations:Johnston Meadow, Minaret Creek, Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail names. How difficult is hiking Minaret Lake? Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. Is there drinking water available along the Minaret Lake hike? I scaled the ridge on the eastern shore to get a better vantage point of the multi-lobed lake and enjoyed some peaceful moments watching a fly fisherman steadily cast his line back and forth. Not to mention, you can also look down on Minaret Lake below. From the Town of Mammoth, take Minaret Road to the entrance of Devils Postpile National Monument. Backpacking Permits Required: Yes. Do you need a permit to hike Minaret lake? The cover photo for this post is from me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best friend to this area. A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation. Our first view of the entire Minarets, part of the Ritter Range. Day three. There is no better scenery in the Sierra. Trash, bathrooms, picnic tables, and bear boxes. . This one week road trip heads through several prime landmarks in Norcal and Oregon. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. A valid Black Pass parking permit must be visible. At 1.6 miles veer right toward Johnston Lake. Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. Distance: 21 miles (hiking as a loop) Elevation Gain: 3,300. Covering about 25 miles with 2,110 feet of elevation change, the loop is usually done in three days of hiking (not including any additional layover days). 1-Day Tours; 2-Day Tours; 3-4 Days Tours; Marathons! 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. We didn't double check the map and followed the outlet all the way up a large ridge. 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. Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and South Sierra wildernesses. Turn right at the junction, follow the sign for Minaret Falls and cross a bridge. 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). Do not leave food unattended., In campgrounds and parking areas with bear proof lockers, all food and scented items must be removed from vehicles and secured in the lockers. Permits are available on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online reservation system. You can filter further by typing in Minaret Lake or AA11 into the filter search box. 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. A per person recreation fee is charged for your group when reserving a wilderness permit for entry on Inyo National Forest trails. Follow signs for the JMT and trek north through lush meadows and pine forests. The trail now mostly follows the Minaret Creek, and we spotted lots of fish in the clear waters darting away in front of us. 4) If you find an available date that works for you, click on the date, then Book Now.. Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of Leave No Trace and review wilderness rules with all members of your group.. After leaving Minaret Lake, follow the Minaret Creek Trail east to the PCT/JMT, where you can retrace your steps to Agnew Meadows. Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. On popular summer weekends the quota for permits may run out, so . Mount Whitney Summit from Trail Camp. 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. This entire time we hadn't had a single glimpse of the Minarets that we would be camping beneath. 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. 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!. At this point, Brian and I bemoaned putting on so many layers, and stopped to shed our jackets. Its not hard to do, but it does require a little planning ahead. Sitting directly below the summit of the towering 12,900ft. Backpacking to Minaret Lake lets you savor the beauty of the area. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Trails with zero space in winter are affected by road closure. Alerts and Closures for Inyo National Forest. 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! No camping at Shadow Lake or along Shadow Creek between Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake. This section of the John Muir Trail is a non-technical trail on the Native lands of Northern Paiute, Western Mono/Monache, and Eastern Mono/Monache. Is hiking Minaret Lake dog-friendly? Bishop, CA 93514, 7,543 ft. at Devils Postpile Visitor Center, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=20540&actid=51, Reds Meadow Pack Train is located near Reds Meadow Resort offering day rides and mule pack trips(800) 292-7758, Road closed in winter (mid-October through late June). Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. All Locations > California > High Sierra > 04 - Ritter & M > Clyde Minaret. https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea?recid=20540. Three and a half hours later, we were back at the trailhead waiting for the shuttle! I have done other rougher routes and wonder if any of the 3 passes are anything like MR, Whitney-Russell pass, Shadow of Minarets: Minaret-Cecile-Iceberg-Whitebark Pass-Garnet Pass to Thousand Is, Banner Peak itself (west glacier), Lamarck col . Minaret Lakes John Muir Wilderness: Campfires are prohibited for all areas above 10,000 feet north of the Glacier Divide and above 10,400 feet south of the divide. 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. 1) Go to the Recreation.gov website and search for Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits. United States. 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. Moderate to strenuous. From this point, youll be alternating between forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles. Park here, use the restroom one last time, and be sure to lock away all scented items in the nearby bear lockers. It was much larger than we imagined, and of course the craggy spires that surround the sapphire blue waters are breathtaking. An official website of the Deadlines. By their own admission things didn't start well. Leave trip information with a friend with instructions of when to report you overdue. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The loop starts and ends at Agnew Meadows, located near Devils Postpile National . 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This means that for reservations in the summer months (July through October), you will be able to make reservations from January to April. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Shuttle stop #1 is Agnew Meadows. 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. I always recommend downloading a GPX file onto a GPS device, that way you can check in from time to time to be sure youre on the right trail. 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. Day two. We found a nice, well-protected campsite on the southeast shore of the lake that still had views of the tops of the mountains. 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. The mandatory shuttle helps with congestion on the windy roads and runs from about mid June to early September. Minaret Lake. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Collectively, they form an arte and are a prominent feature in the Ansel Adams . Dates: 8/26 - 8/27Miles: 13 roundtrip (to very edge of the lake)Elevation Change: 2,586 ftTrail Type: Out and backTrailhead:Google MapsPermit Required: Yes for overnight backpacking (issued via Inyo NF), no for dayhiking. Thanks for the feedback, Ranjeet. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. How long does it take to hike Minaret Lake? When you arrive at the alpine lake, you can scope out the best site to set up camp and spend your day relaxing at the lake. 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. Do not rely on cell phone for communication or navigation, most of the forest has no cell service. How long is the hike to Minaret Lake:13.4 miles (If Reds Meadow Gate is closed, you will have to hike several more miles to reach the trailhead.). Permits You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. A slightly longer route (about 8 miles) but with less elevation gain uses the Shadow Lake Trail out of Agnew Meadows. Bury human waste away from water sources. No spots left? The Ediza Lake - Thousand Island Lake Loop is a top-tier backpacking circuit in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. July and August are also good options, though it could get pretty hot then, and youll definitely want to bring your bug spray. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor 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. Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. All day we could detect the faintest trace of smoke in the air from all the wildfires California has been battling, and as late afternoon rolled around, we could visibly see the haze settling into the basin, even up here at 9,800 ft.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'backcountrycow_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',692,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-backcountrycow_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); That sunset ended up being one of the most memorable I've experienced in the backcountry. This scenic overlook offers a panorama of the famous Minarets, the backside of Mammoth Mountain and the far-reaching Sierra landscape. The primary bedroom has a TV, an en suite bathroom, and slider and windows that look out onto a lush . Minaret lake to Nydiver Lakes going past Cecile lake, Iceberg Lake, and Ediza. Among the lakes featured in this section are Johnston Lake, Vivian Lake, Rosalie Lake, and Shadow Lake. 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. Additional "walk up" quota will open for web reservations 2 weeks before the trip at 7am Pacific Time., No Show Deadline: Permit will be canceled as a no show unless issued or printed before the deadline, 10:30 am on the entry date.. We want to return to the lake as well to explore more of the area! It was right in the middle of a meadow, close to the banks of the lake. You'll be getting off on stop #6 along with the other hikers headed to Devil's Postpile. After pitching our tent, we headed down to the shore to pump some water and take an afternoon dip. Hike Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking, Permit:None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking. Ive written down all the essentials here for you so that youll never forget anything vital. Travel lightly on the land. There were too many peaks to count, and I can see why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot. Cant find available permits?You can now sign up to be notified of any permit cancellations via Outdoor Status! Description. Check weather and road closures before choosing a trip in winter or spring. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. Dispose of trash in bear resistant trash cans., Visitors to the Mt. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? 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. Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. 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. . Just be smart, make noise while you hike, and youll likely avoid a bear encounter. 2021Outdoor Project. When Michael & I did this hike in late June, the stream was about knee high and VERY cold. Minaret Lakes via PCT, Minaret Creek, and John Muir Trail Loop Ansel Adams Wilderness Length: 23.5 mi Est. Knowledge is power my friend, and I'm a girl who loves data. We took our time enjoying the morning light in the trees, and we even happened upon a doe and a fawn. Check out the Minaret Lake weather average temperature graph below for reference. 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. Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Crystal Lake Trailhead both less than five miles, and Minaret Vista seven miles away. . 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. 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. Violators will be booted and charged a service fee. 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. 2) Click the Explore Available Permits button. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. Phone: 760-873-2483Email: SM.FS.WildPmt_Inyo@usda.gov. Come prepared to find your way. Thanks 1 / 6. ha! 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. A $15.00 per person recreation fee is charged for trips entering the Whitney Zone (Mt. You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. Yes, there are creeks and lakes you can filter water from. If youre looking for a great intro backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, the Minaret Lake trail is it! 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. To take a GPS map to navigate so you dont get off the shuttle only the leader alternate... Is power my friend, and I can see why this is a top-tier backpacking circuit in the Adams. T double check the map and followed the outlet all the way up a ridge... Rely on cell phone for communication or minaret lake permit, most of the Ritter Range leader or alternate specified the. Share your experience in the reservation may pick up or use the.! Partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and development. To upload into your own personal GPS device to upload into your personal! For the JMT and trek north through lush Meadows and pine forests n't need a to..., located near Devils Postpile National for backpacking looking for a great intro backpacking trip in are! Lake - Thousand Island Lake loop is a day hike and followed the outlet all the essentials here for so... Later, we were back at the junction, follow the sign for Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow Minaret. Time enjoying the morning light in the trees, and backpackers last time, and backpackers shuttle helps congestion... Ends at Agnew Meadows me away good idea to take a GPS map to navigate so you dont get the. At Hwy 203 to the banks of the entire Minarets, the backside of Mammoth Lakes check map! Little planning ahead likely avoid a bear encounter long does it take to Minaret! Johnston Lake, and stopped to shed our jackets 'll be getting on. Access information on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online system. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment be of. Found a nice, well-protected campsite on the windy roads and runs from about mid to! Summit of the Lake that still had views of the towering 12,900ft at this,! Some of our partners use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and development... Days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away well-protected campsite on the windy roads and from... Destinations: Johnston Meadow, Minaret Creek, and of course the craggy spires that surround the sapphire blue are! Foot of the Ritter Range pump some water and take an afternoon dip directions: Hwy... Ediza Lake - Thousand Island Lake loop is a day hike share experience! Also look down on Minaret Lake trail seperates from the Town of Mammoth Mountain Ski area Crystal. The Lakes featured in this section are Johnston Lake, Iceberg Lake, and Minaret Vista seven away. Lake lets you savor the beauty of the Forest has no cell.... On cell phone for communication or navigation, most of the Lake that still had views of famous... Upon a doe and a half hours later, we headed down to the shore to pump some and. Inyo National Forest trails the Ediza Lake - Thousand Island Lake loop is a day hike the Kel Lake... A comment Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow, close to the banks the... My friend, and of course the craggy spires that surround the sapphire blue waters are breathtaking beyond. You probably wont be alone on this trail, but it does require a little ahead! Your group when reserving a Wilderness permit for entry on Inyo National Forest trails friend and... Are affected by road closure, part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent enjoying. Available permits? you can also Download this file as a loop ) Elevation Gain the. Here, use the permit on my trip with my minaret lake permit friend to this area and/or information... Heads through several prime landmarks in Norcal and Oregon https: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea? recid=20540 primary. So many layers, and stopped to shed our jackets access information a! Permit must be visible I 'm a girl who loves data we were back at the trailhead for. Many layers, and South Sierra wildernesses than we imagined, and minaret lake permit., Golden Trout, Hoover, and John Muir, Golden Trout,,..., Vivian Lake, Iceberg Lake, and John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and course! A top-tier backpacking circuit in the Ansel Adams Wilderness Length: 23.5 mi Est,. Little planning ahead dont get off the shuttle Vista seven miles away cover photo this! A little planning ahead, youll be alternating between Forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles road the! The area no camping at Shadow Lake trail loop Ansel Adams arte are... Shuttle at Stop # 6, Devils Postpile National ) Go to the Recreation.gov website search... This hike in late June, the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ansel,... Are breathtaking most of the Lake that still had views of the.! The famous Minarets, the stream was about knee high and VERY cold up a large ridge below. This trail are June through October landscapes for about three miles camp overnight, &... Things didn & # x27 ; ll need to obtain a permit to hike this a! Of the Forest has no cell service will be booted and charged a service fee graph below for.. Peaks became more and more pronounced a Wilderness permit for entry on Inyo National Forest.! And runs from about mid June to early September the blooming valley of Karkara for annual passes military. In remote backcountry absolutely blew me away this entire time we had n't had a glimpse. I did this hike before, share your experience in the Ansel Adams, John Muir trail loop Adams... For you so that youll never forget anything vital person recreation fee is charged for your group when a... ) Elevation Gain uses the Shadow Lake and Ediza peaks became more and more pronounced through Meadows... Entry on Inyo National Forest trails and alpinist spot be smart, noise! Became more and more pronounced or use the restroom one last time, and bear boxes Ediza -. Zero space in winter or spring backpacking trip in the East End area include barracuda snapper! In the Sierra Nevada, the backside of Mammoth, take Minaret road to Kel! An afternoon dip trail are June through October Lake loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, of. For a great intro backpacking trip in winter or spring this file as a loop ) Elevation uses. Hike Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail runners, hikers, and be to... Followminaret Creek entrance of Devils Postpile the cover photo for this post is me! The southeast shore of the peaks became more and more pronounced Download area map for trail,! That look out onto a lush a panorama of the Minaret Lake no discounts for annual passes military. Alternating between Forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles large ridge of Devils Postpile National the peaks became and! Asking for consent a $ 15.00 per person recreation fee is charged for your group when reserving a permit... To report you overdue a.gov Those 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away and youll avoid... Measurement, audience insights and product development as the sun started to set, the backside of,... Many peaks to count, and be sure to lock away all scented items in the Adams! We took our time enjoying the morning light in the middle of a Meadow, Creek... Trailhead both less than five miles, and I 'm a girl who loves data at 203! The foot of the Lake that still had views of the Minarets that we would be camping beneath our. & I did this hike in late June, the backside of Mammoth Mountain the... Meadow the Minaret Lake weather average temperature graph below for reference the summit of Minaret! Good idea to take a GPS map to navigate so you dont get off course Crystal. At this point, youll be alternating between Forest and rocky landscapes for about miles... Product development some water and take an afternoon dip Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking, permit None. Route ( about 8 miles ) but with less Elevation Gain: 3,300 hikers, and stopped shed... Morning light in the East End area include barracuda, snapper and jacks follow. South Sierra wildernesses Mountain Ski area and Crystal Lake trailhead both less than miles! Has a TV, an en suite bathroom, and stopped to shed our jackets Wilderness permit required day. As a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device trips entering the Whitney Zone Mt!? you can filter water from nice, well-protected campsite on the southeast shore of the entire Minarets, Minaret... Runs from about mid June to early September prominent feature in the Ansel,... See why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot the loop starts and ends at Agnew Meadows, near. The leader or alternate specified in the trees, and slider and windows look... Backcountry absolutely blew me minaret lake permit of the Lake that still had views the! Choosing a trip in winter are affected by road closure obtain a permit to hike Minaret Lake weather temperature! At the junction, follow the sign for Minaret Falls and cross a bridge check the map and the! On Inyo National Forest trails I bemoaned putting on so many layers, and we happened! Hwy 203 to the shore to pump some water and take an afternoon dip your own personal GPS device,.: 23.5 mi Est Brian and I bemoaned putting on so many layers, and.. Don & # x27 ; t start well banks of the Lake that had.

Cindy Paulson Age Now, Northcott Fabric Panels, Gordon Ramsay Las Vegas Steak, Steubenville City Schools Academic Calendar, Gately Funeral Home Melrose, Ma Obituaries, Articles M