Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. If you are arriving between 7a and 7p,. Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit.. Ata Beit, Baitik and Ala Archa - nature and history. Fromthe Devils Postpile Visitor Center (shuttle stop #6) it is less than a mile to the bridge across the river and several trail junctions. Thousand Island Lake: Hike Details. Here Ill walk you through a suggested itinerary for backpacking the Minaret Lake trail, so you can make your plans accordingly. Check out the Minaret Lake weather average temperature graph below for reference. How to Get a Minaret Lake Permit - The step-by-step process to get the required Minaret Lake permit for backpacking. 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. The Minaret Lake trail is fairly easy to follow, but there are a few trail junctions along the way. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. that youre fully prepared. Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. But specialists are aware that the field is not easy to document, should they wish to go beyond the usual material provided by architectural journals in European languages. This is a place for fellow hikers and backpackers in Southern California to organize meet ups, post gear Again, this is not all the gear you need, so be sure to check out my backpacking gear checklist for my entire list of gear recommendations! How to Get a Minaret Lake Permit The step-by-step process to get the required Minaret Lake permit for backpacking. | shedreamsofalpine.com, How To Get Half Dome Permits: Behind the Scenes of the Permit Process & Lottery for Both Day Hiking & Backpacking Half Dome | The Half Dome hike is one of the most popular hikes in the US, and. This allowed us to drive down to the trailhead, and enjoy the trek with very few other hikers. Mount Whitney Summit from Trail Camp. 2h 40m Easy 4.6 (412) Leave trip information with a friend with instructions of when to report you overdue. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Minaret Lakes via PCT, Minaret Creek, and John Muir Trail Loop Ansel Adams Wilderness Length: 23.5 mi Est. It details all the key milestones of the hike including the trailhead start, summit, and more. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure, Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California. In the summer, it would be splendid to go swimming here, but with the cold temperatures dipping my feet in would have to do. There is a water spigot and bathrooms near the Ranger Station here. It was much larger than we imagined, and of course the craggy spires that surround the sapphire blue waters are breathtaking. How difficult is hiking Minaret Lake? Brians climb up toward Cecile Lake is included in the elevation tracking from his Garmin, which is why is may be a bit more than other sources. How dangerous is hiking Minaret Lake? Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Traditional check in includes the chance to ask questions in person, rent a bear can, or purchase maps along with printing the permit. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 45 min to complete. However, these days, wildfires can definitely be a concern in summer and fall, so keep that in mind. From Cecile Lake. Itinerary for Hiking the Minaret Lake Trail - Ill walk you through a suggested itinerary for backpacking the trail so you can make your plans accordingly. Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo National Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley. After reuniting back by the lake shore, it was time to race the sun and head back to the car. Finally we started seeing pools of water, and eventually we arrived on the shore of gorgeous Minaret Lake! This ended up being a good decision because we saw what was a much more impressive falls further up the trail. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. Bear resistant food storage containers are recommended for all wilderness travelers., There are no restrooms in the wilderness., Respect other visitors desire for quiet and solitude. After heading left here, the trail steadily climbs up through the trees, gaining some slight elevation the entire time. Affiliate disclaimer: this article includes some affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. Make sure you take some time to enjoy what is sure to be a spectacular Sierra Nevada sunset. 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. 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. Water from creeks, lakes and springs should be treated before drinking. When backpacking to Minaret Lake, youll want to camp near the lake itself (especially on the east side) for the most breathtaking views. 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')! The Minarets are a series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range, a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada mountains. 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. *Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links. Twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit to be exact. Your write up motivates me to go back in fall. Shuttle stop #1 is Agnew Meadows. Minaret Lake. Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and South Sierra wildernesses. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Fees cannot be transferred to other dates or trails. 1-Day Tours; 2-Day Tours; 3-4 Days Tours; Marathons! Hiking to Minaret Lake is not particularly dangerous, as it is not at all technical, but be careful at the stream crossing. 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. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. 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. Get off the shuttle at Stop #6, Devils Postpile. Everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logisitcal Center page. Although we didn't get glassy lake conditions because of a slight wind in the air,we were treated to smoke-free, crystal clear skies. 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. 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! The cover photo for this post is from me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best friend to this area. After 0.75 miles, we passed the North/South junction for the PCT. There is no better scenery in the Sierra. What to Bring on Your Minaret Lake Backpacking Trip The essential packing list for your Minaret Lakes hike dont hit the trail without these things! 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. 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. Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. The Minaret Lakes Loop is a 30.4-mile loop trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. 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. This path continues winding through the forest, but some of the scenery gets more interesting as Minaret Creek cascades through a shallow, rocky canyon. Your furry friend can join you on this trail (just be prepared to navigate a possible stream crossing). First established in 1964 as the Minarets Wilderness, the Ansel Adams Wilderness lies immediately southeast of--and contiguous to--Yosemite National Park. Trails with zero space in winter are affected by road closure. Alerts and Closures for Inyo National Forest. A permit is required year-round for overnight trips into John Muir, Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes and Kaiser Wildernesses, and Inyo National Forest, as well Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. All Trips Outdoor Status. Or, if you have more energy, you could also hike a little more around the area maybe even up to Cecil Lake. 2) Click the Explore Available Permits button. You will start the Minaret Lake hike at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station. 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. Sunset . You can mull-over your decision for the first half-mile on the trail. 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. Single room and boat options available. Waste water should be scattered at least 100 feet away from any water source., Dont cut switchbacks, shortcutting damages the trail and adds to erosion., No drones, they are prohibited in wilderness., No loud audio devices, let the sounds of nature be part of the wilderness experience., Campfires are restricted in many areas, wood growth is very slow at high elevation and what little wood exists helps sustain the natural soil, plant and animal community., Do not camp on vegetation, these fragile areas are easily damaged. I recommend a 2-day itinerary for the Minaret Lake hike. 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. I am already daydreaming about photographing the morning alpenglow on the spires, and I know Brian is anxious to get to Cecil Lake. Cant find available permits?You can now sign up to be notified of any permit cancellations via Outdoor Status! 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. Come prepared to find your way. When traveling in the backcountry, you may with to carry an SOS beacon and communicator. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is the most visible remnant of the ancient city Balasagun. Dont ever risk getting lost, and dont rely on other people for your safety outdoors. These junctions come at 5.95, 6.75, and 7.45 miles from Agnew Meadows. Your email address will not be published. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. You should also set up your camp in a spot where people have clearly camped before, in order to minimize environmental impact. Close Here well go over the pros and cons of each option. Activities Fishing Hiking The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and distributes permits and rents bear-proof canisters. 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! Have you ever been to Minaret Lake? To finalize your permit reservations, youll need to pay a $6 permit fee plus an additional $5 non-refundable per person transaction fee. Then youll hit the trail and hike to Minaret Lake, which shouldnt take you more than 4-5 hours, since its a pretty chill gradual incline up to Minaret Lake. Youll get to experience a gorgeous sunrise and stunning sunset in the Sierra Nevada, and that alone might make it worth it. Nice pics and description. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. 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. 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. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. 5) At this point, youll be taken to an order form page where you will fill in all the necessary information. Weather forecast for the Sierra Nevada region. Near the beginning of this trail, you will come to a stream crossing near Johnston Lake. Dispose of trash in bear resistant trash cans., Visitors to the Mt. Many buildings were ready, but without the residents, they were empty. Travel lightly on the land. 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. From this point, youll be alternating between forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles. The Minarets Arriving at 2:30 was exceptionally early for us and we needed the additional time to find a campsite (it was crowded), set up camp, filter our water, and cook dinner. 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. 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 entire time we hadn't had a single glimpse of the Minarets that we would be camping beneath. >> Find out more about popular California hiking & camping permits here. Now youre ready to hit the trail and have a fantastic adventure hiking to Minaret Lake! United States. To narrow your search, use the filters at the top input Overnight, your start date, and group size. 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