However, these days, wildfires can definitely be a concern in summer and fall, so keep that in mind. To be completely honest, getting to the Minaret Lake trailhead can be a bit of a hassle. You will find free parking in the lots near the Mammoth Lodge. Trips sponsored by organizations or commercial groups must contact the wilderness permit office, a special use permit may be needed. 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. The views open up for a bit just after four miles, and you can begin to see the minaret spires in the distance. Visitorsto the Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus. At the 2.28 mile mark, Brian and I arrived at Johnston Lake. Day 1: Car at Agnew Meadows Road to Ediza Lake (Shadow Creek). After a long day on the trail, we stumbled into Mammoth Brewing Company for some well-deserved burgers and beers. 3) You will then be taken to a long list of trailheads showing their availability and quotas. 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. Other species in the East End area include barracuda, snapper and jacks. 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. 2023 Availability. Although smokey conditions can be considered a drawback for many, there is a silver lining of having smoke in the air - sunsets are so much more unique and colorful. If youre looking for a great intro backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, the Minaret Lake trail is it! The Trail Code youll be applying for is Minaret Lake - AA11. Distance: 21 miles (hiking as a loop) Elevation Gain: 3,300. 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. The Minaret Lake hike begins in the Devils Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California. I am already daydreaming about photographing the morning alpenglow on the spires, and I know Brian is anxious to get to Cecil Lake. Recreation Map Map showing recreational areas. In the summer, it would be splendid to go swimming here, but with the cold temperatures dipping my feet in would have to do. Bundled up in our puffy, down jackets, the two of us headed south on the John Muir Trail (JMT) toward Devils Postpile. This ended up being a good decision because we saw what was a much more impressive falls further up the trail. We lost, having to finish the last two miles in the dark, but we were prepared with headlamps. This permit does not include Beck Lake, Fern Lake or northbound of Johnston Meadow on the John Muir Trail. Minaret Lake should be on every backpacker's list. Whether you are seeking solitude, exceptional scenery, or sharing a wilderness adventure, there are many ways to create a memorable experience. Violators will be booted and charged a service fee. Snag permits. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Crystal Lake Trailhead both less than five miles, and Minaret Vista seven miles away. I'd love to come back for some more technical routes up some of the nearby peaks - the view must be incredible from up there. 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. The lack of permits hinders access . The recreation fees are used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest. Day two. Dont ever risk getting lost, and dont rely on other people for your safety outdoors. Mammoth Lakes, CA (full service, hospital). 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. Your write up motivates me to go back in fall. United States. Minaret Lake crowds: You probably wont be alone on this trail, but the crowds usually arent too bad overall. A slightly longer route (about 8 miles) but with less elevation gain uses the Shadow Lake Trail out of Agnew Meadows. on official, secure websites. 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. Southeast Face 5.8+ YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes . camp fires are not permitted and camping is restricted to designated areas. It takes approximately 8 hours to do this as a day hike. Mammoth Lakes, CA. Among the lakes featured in this section are Johnston Lake, Vivian Lake, Rosalie Lake, and Shadow Lake. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. Thanks This means that for reservations in the summer months (July through October), you will be able to make reservations from January to April. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking Mt. 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. This destination we so extraordinary though that I am already planning a trip back next summer! It covers both the Southbound Yosemite Wilderness Permits & JMT lottery and the Northbound Inyo Wilderness Permits process inside of this guide. 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. 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. 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. Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and South Sierra wildernesses. The mandatory shuttle helps with congestion on the windy roads and runs from about mid June to early September. 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. Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo National Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley. Join the Backpacking Badass Program Waitlist. that youre fully prepared. Description. Highway 203. Do you need a permit to hike Minaret lake? 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. Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of Leave No Trace and review wilderness rules with all members of your group.. If you are looking for additional California hiking adventures, check out our resources below: Hiking Death Valley's Tallest Peak, Telescope Peak. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Check weather and road closures before choosing a trip in winter or spring. Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. Heres a look at the Minaret Lake hike elevation gain profile from the trailhead to the lake and back. From Cecile Lake. Fly Fish Guanaja began fishing around the Bay Islands of Honduras 17 years ago. Being novice backpackers, we made a poor selection for our campsite. The one-way hike to Minaret Lake wont take the whole day, so this trip will still give you time to relax and explore the area further if you want. Minaret Lake was an ambitious day hike, but it was a wonderful adventure that we are looking forward to repeating as a backpacking trip. Trails with zero space in winter are affected by road closure. Alerts and Closures for Inyo National Forest. It details all the key milestones of the hike including the trailhead start, summit, and more. Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles. Mammoth Lakes offers many camping options, from developed campgrounds to dispersed camping. All rights reserved. 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.. You can check the weather conditions here: Mountain Forecast One of my favorite resources for mountain weather forecasts when checking a few days before a trip. Summary - A wildly popular and challenging hike straight into the heart of the jaw-dropping Ritter Mountain Rangewhat many people argue is Mammoth's most beautiful landscape. Reds Meadow campground is also an awesome option, if youre lucky enough to actually score a spot. 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. 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. I finally hiked the High Sierra Trail, a trip I've been dying to do for years! How dangerous is hiking Minaret Lake? When to Hike Minaret Lake The best time to hike Minaret Lake and typical weather to expect on your trip. Fishing in Minaret and Deadhorse Lakesis for Brook Trout. 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. Take in the view while you are on the bridge. 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! 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. First established in 1964 as the Minarets Wilderness, the Ansel Adams Wilderness lies immediately southeast of--and contiguous to--Yosemite National Park. 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. (760)924-5500. From this point, youll be alternating between forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles. There is a 10 person (6 reservation and 4 walk-in) daily permit quota for the Minaret Lake Trail from June to mid-September. Devils post pile up Minaret Creek trail to Minaret Lake. 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. Most people hiking to Minaret Lake will need to take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to access the trailhead. 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. 1-Day Tours; 2-Day Tours; 3-4 Days Tours; Marathons! 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. How to Get a Minaret Lake Permit - The step-by-step process to get the required Minaret Lake permit for backpacking. The trail between the two lakes in not marked, and is quite a scramble. The Ediza Lake - Thousand Island Lake Loop is a top-tier backpacking circuit in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. Clyde Minaret is named after Norman Clyde, the High Sierras most prolific first ascensionist. 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. Hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing with confidence and being inspired by the outdoors. The Shadow Lake Trail is easily the more scenic of the two approaches and highly recommended. Minaret Lake features gorgeous views everywhere you turn. Day three. We want to return to the lake as well to explore more of the area! No spots left? These common but avoidable mistakes are an essential part of your backpacking 101 foundation, so to speak. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. 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. 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. 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