The views open up for a bit just after four miles, and you can begin to see the minaret spires in the distance. 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. 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.). The cover photo for this post is from me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best friend to this area. 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. Devils post pile up Minaret Creek trail to 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. The lack of permits hinders access . 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. If you see "W" on the reservation page it means the quota for 6 month advance is fully booked. 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. Highway 203. 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. In the middle of the summer, the trail should be clear and melted out, but early in the summer or in the fall, you should definitely check the updated trail conditions and snowfall totals for the season before you attempt this hike. Reservations cannot be sold or transferred. 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. 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. Follow signs for the JMT and trek north through lush meadows and pine forests. This scenic overlook offers a panorama of the famous Minarets, the backside of Mammoth Mountain and the far-reaching Sierra landscape. We headed counter-clock wise, and I ended up soaking in the sunlight on a little peninsula that is in the middle of the lake while Brian tried to see if he could make it up to Cecil Lake. But be sure to get up early to try to make it to the trailhead before 9am to grab parking. Official websites use .gov A .gov Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip to experience classic Sierra lakes and mountains. But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. Traditional check in includes the chance to ask questions in person, rent a bear can, or purchase maps along with printing the permit. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. This destination we so extraordinary though that I am already planning a trip back next summer! Now having visited, I can't wait to go back and explore some of the other lakes and peaks in the area! Our first view of the entire Minarets, part of the Ritter Range. No spots left? Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. 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. Please Leave No Trace. The temperature is usually perfect, plus there are far fewer mosquitos. 2023 Availability. Then onto the destination of today - Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Backpacking to Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest is about 13.4 miles. Clyde Minaret is named after Norman Clyde, the High Sierras most prolific first ascensionist. The ranger station is located at 2510 Main Street (Route 203) on the road into Mammoth Lakes. 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. It covers both the Southbound Yosemite Wilderness Permits & JMT lottery and the Northbound Inyo Wilderness Permits process inside of this guide. 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. To be completely honest, getting to the Minaret Lake trailhead can be a bit of a hassle. We headed to bed early in normal backcountry fashion, and woke at dawn to catch the sunrise. Dispose of trash in bear resistant trash cans., Visitors to the Mt. (760)924-5500. This path continues winding through the forest, but some of the scenery gets more interesting as Minaret Creek cascades through a shallow, rocky canyon. To the north is a meadow, to the south, you can see the distinctive basalt columns formed millions of years ago. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor 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. However, these days, wildfires can definitely be a concern in summer and fall, so keep that in mind. Only the group leader or listed alternate can pick up or use the permit. Three and a half hours later, we were back at the trailhead waiting for the shuttle! 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. 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. Pro Tip: Its totally worth it to wake up early to catch the sunrise hitting the Minarets in the morning! 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. Follow the trail to around 1.5 miles, where the trail veers away from Horsethief Creek and approaches Pine Valley Creek. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) John Muir Trail Shadow Creek Trail Minaret Creek Trail PCT/JMT. A $5.00 per person recreation fee is charged for all other areas. Education Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. 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 allowed us to drive down to the trailhead, and enjoy the trek with very few other hikers. 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. Mistakes are certainly how we learn, and we should never be so afraid of failure and mistakes that it prevents us from taking action toward our backpacking goals, but this list might just help you avoid a few rookie (often too common) mistakes beginner backpackers tend to make their first time backpacking. Incredible contrasts of Son Kul; Express tours. So worth the early wake-up call though. Hike Type: Overnight Difficulty Level: Difficult Food Storage: There are two bear boxes at the Agnew Meadows trailhead. Outdoorsy women are badass. You can scroll through a list of dates to see other availability if your original start date isnt available. 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. Thank you for supporting the work I do to keep creating meaningful content like this for you! Just like I teach my students in my backpacking program. Minaret lake to Nydiver Lakes going past Cecile lake, Iceberg Lake, and Ediza. Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. *Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links. Come, take a deep breath of clean mountain air. 5) At this point, youll be taken to an order form page where you will fill in all the necessary information. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Monday August 21. This is a good choice if you dont have a lot of time in the area or if youre looking for a challenging day for training. To narrow your search, use the filters at the top input Overnight, your start date, and group size. Mammoth Lakes, CA. After 0.75 miles, we passed the North/South junction for the PCT. July and August are also good options, though it could get pretty hot then, and youll definitely want to bring your bug spray. Use this JMT permit guide to demystify the whole lottery application process and increase your chances of grabbing a JMT permit. Flush toilet at shuttle stop. Ive created a map detailing the whole Minaret Lake trail that you can explore, including a look at the elevation gain/profile of the hike. Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. No refund of reservation fee.. Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. Starting Elevation: 7,909 ft. One week before the trip you can print at home or request the permit. The Minaret Lake hike begins in the Devils Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California. As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. The big-ticket infrastructure projects could be seen past the rows of derelict homes, where modern public infrastructure was built by the banks of scenic Lake Lanao. Log onto your account at Recreation.gov to make changes or call the wilderness permit office for Inyo National Forest for reservation assistance (760) 873-2483. | shedreamsofalpine.com. 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. In this post, we will cover the following topics to help you plan and prepare for your very own successful Minaret Lakes backpacking adventure: Minaret Lake Trail Stats - All the nitty gritty details for the trail in one spot. If you dont already have an account on the site, you will need to create one in order to apply. Join the Backpacking Badass Program Waitlist. Backpacking to Minaret Lake lets you savor the beauty of the area. After a long day on the trail, we stumbled into Mammoth Brewing Company for some well-deserved burgers and beers. More details on the quota can be found on the National Forest Service site. 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')! Come prepared to find your way. Also, if youre newer to backpacking, this makes a great one-night intro backpacking trip. Is there drinking water available along the Minaret Lake hike? This out and back trail is popular among backpackers and day hikers looking to explore into the Eastern Sierra. It was a chilly, fall morning when we set out on the trail. LockA locked padlock After reuniting back by the lake shore, it was time to race the sun and head back to the car. We took a short footpath to the lake shore and while the lake was not especially scenic, we enjoyed photographing some reflections before hitting the trail again. The guide team at East End Lodge use 16-foot Dolphin Super Skiffs with 85HP Yamaha outboard motors. Its about protecting what sustains us. You will find free parking in the lots near the Mammoth Lodge. 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. 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. You can download the GPX files from the Minaret Lake trail map below. 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.. If youre backpacking or starting later in the day, you must use the shuttle service instead. Post includes free gear list printable for easy reference. Complete your camp locations and verify final group size before you print permit. Click below to be the first to know when my one-of-a-kind backpacking program re-opens again for enrollment! Everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logisitcal Center page. Once you select your filters, youll be shown a list of available permits. Be prepared before you go. My best friend to this area scenic overlook offers a panorama of the peaks became and. 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