I recommend a 2-day itinerary for the Minaret Lake hike. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Backpacking Permits Required: Yes. The Minarets are a series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range, a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Get access to this trails GPX file PLUS my library of GPX files with tracks and waypoints for all the trails loaded onto the She Dreams of Alpine blog. This destination we so extraordinary though that I am already planning a trip back next summer! Everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logisitcal Center page. The Minaret Lakes Loop is a 30.4-mile loop trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. 48.3k members in the socalhiking community. Minaret Lakes via PCT, Minaret Creek, and John Muir Trail Loop Ansel Adams Wilderness Length: 23.5 mi Est. 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. Hike Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking, Permit:None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking. During the summer you can also arrive before 7am to avoid having to take the shuttle (like we did for our Thousand Island Lake backpacking trip), and this allows you to have your car waiting for you when you return from your hike. The views open up for a bit just after four miles, and you can begin to see the minaret spires in the distance. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. For Sale: 2 beds, 2 baths 925 sq. At the 2.28 mile mark, Brian and I arrived at Johnston Lake. 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. This is something I teach in my backpacking program, but I want to give you a couple GPS options to get started. Banner Peak, Thousand Island Lake can be reached in a single day's hike via three different trails, each with a completely different adventurous look & feel. Activities Fishing Hiking Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through The JMT continues up through the forest along Minaret Creek. Link to full Permit Printing Instructions After printing you cannot make changes unless you contact the wilderness permit office or go into the visitor center during open hours. The 7-mile hike to base camp is mostly uphill and follows Minaret Creek. Park here, use the restroom one last time, and be sure to lock away all scented items in the nearby bear lockers. Do not rely on cell phone for communication or navigation, most of the forest has no cell service. Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. | shedreamsofalpine.com, The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Isle Royale (in Lake Superior) | Isle Royale National Park is the least visited national park in America, but is the most revisited. Manage Settings Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. Permits You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. The trail between the two lakes in not marked, and is quite a scramble. Always store your food (and any other scented items) at night in either a bear box or bear canister. Minaret lake to Nydiver Lakes going past Cecile lake, Iceberg Lake, and Ediza. Its important that you research your weather conditions before you go, weeks and days before your trip. We stopped for a snack here and a listened to the rush of water over the rocks as we rested. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. Leave trip information with a friend with instructions of when to report you overdue. Elevation Gain: ~1,388ft. 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! Check for open hours before you go to the visitor center for in person service. . Phone: (760) 924-5500. After 0.75 miles, we passed the North/South junction for the PCT. Minaret Lake Trail, branching off the John Muir Trail from the Devils Postpile ranger station is the shortest approach, about 7 miles. 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. Twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit to be exact. 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. The National Park Service website has tons of information about parking restrictions, shuttle times, and entry fees. The final mile to Minaret Lake was the hardest and the steepest. At 1.6 miles veer right toward Johnston Lake. It was right in the middle of a meadow, close to the banks of the lake. Day three. Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit.. 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. 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. A $5.00 per person recreation fee is charged for all other areas. The trail eventually leads to Minaret Lake, situated at the base of the Minarets, a group of jagged peaks within the Ritter Mountain Range (a subrange of the Sierra Nevada). Also, you will need to mark if this is a guided trip or not. Here you'll find blog posts about some of my favorite backpacking and travel adventures. Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details Starting Elevation: 8,100 ft. This one week road trip heads through several prime landmarks in Norcal and Oregon. Guides. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Follow along as we share our adventures at home & abroad. 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. Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. Anywho, my permit via recreation.gov was for the Inyo National Forest on the High . The trail starts 0.25 miles from the Devil's Postpile Ranger station. 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. 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. Our only significant water crossing of the trip came at Minaret Creek shortly after exiting Devils Postpile. A $15.00 per person recreation fee is charged for trips entering the Whitney Zone (Mt. Or, if you have more energy, you could also hike a little more around the area maybe even up to Cecil Lake. Turn right at the junction, follow the sign for Minaret Falls and cross a bridge. Follow signs for the JMT and trek north through lush meadows and pine forests. 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. Required fields are marked *. How many miles, elevation gain, & more. He managed to snap a few photos of Minaret Lake from above though, and considered it all worth it for the views. A slightly longer route (about 8 miles) but with less elevation gain uses the Shadow Lake Trail out of Agnew Meadows. 4) If you find an available date that works for you, click on the date, then Book Now.. If you want to instead start in the Lakes Basin, you will need a permit for Horseshoe Lake Ranger Guided Programs 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. If youre backpacking or starting later in the day, you must use the shuttle service instead. '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. Take in the view while you are on the bridge. Also, if youre backpacking, set up your camp farther away from water, where wind will help keep some of the mosquitoes away. by far the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park. Hiking to Minaret Lake out & back definitely makes for a long day, but it is doable. You should also set up your camp in a spot where people have clearly camped before, in order to minimize environmental impact. There were too many peaks to count, and I can see why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot. 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. Just be smart, make noise while you hike, and youll likely avoid a bear encounter. Backpacking to Minaret Lake lets you savor the beauty of the area. 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. Inyo National Forest Wilderness Food Storage Requirements, Inyo National Forest . 2021Outdoor Project. This campground is very close to the trailhead and has 52 first-come, first-serve sites. website belongs to an official government organization in the Cant find available permits?You can now sign up to be notified of any permit cancellations via Outdoor Status! Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of Leave No Trace and review wilderness rules with all members of your group.. 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. 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. The lack of permits hinders access . It covers both the Southbound Yosemite Wilderness Permits & JMT lottery and the Northbound Inyo Wilderness Permits process inside of this guide. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Crystal Lake Trailhead both less than five miles, and Minaret Vista seven miles away. Its about protecting what sustains us. Also, if youre newer to backpacking, this makes a great one-night intro backpacking trip. Distance: ~6.4 miles. Outdoorsy women are badass. 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. 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. . No spots left? Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. | shedreamsofalpine.com, Important Permit & Reservation Deadlines for Popular California Hiking Trails & Campsites | Don't miss out on hiking or camping at some of Californias most popular sites because you missed the reservation deadlines. This out and back trail is popular among backpackers and day hikers looking to explore into the Eastern Sierra. 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. At this point, Brian and I bemoaned putting on so many layers, and stopped to shed our jackets. The trail never gets too steep but does climb for most of the hike to the lake. 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.. 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. Permits are available on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online reservation system. Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. Those 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure, Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California. No refund of reservation fee.. Come prepared to find your way. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and distributes permits and rents bear-proof canisters. Distance: 21 miles (hiking as a loop) Elevation Gain: 3,300. 3) You will then be taken to a long list of trailheads showing their availability and quotas. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello! Click here for everything I pack for a weekend backpacking trip. Near the beginning of this trail, you will come to a stream crossing near Johnston Lake. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. You purchase your $15 round-trip ticket and get on the shuttle at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center (make sure to keep your ticket for the return trip!). You can stop for water or to use the bathroom at the ranger center, then begin your hike right from there. The view of the lake from above is specially stunning, i didnt have the energy or the time (to make the last shuttle) to explore towards lake Cecile, which is the base of the climb up clyde minaret next time! In the morning, get energized with strong coffee and yummy breakfast burritos at Stellar Brew. Lifeline Trail Light Day Hiker First Aid Kit. 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. 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. Most people hiking to Minaret Lake will need to take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to access the trailhead. 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. We recommend frequently checking the website before arrival as operating hours vary due to weather. 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. Join me (and your peers) on a transformational adventure, where you will learn how to confidently go on your first ever (or perhaps your first solo) outdoor backpacking trip without the constant fear of getting lost, the crippling worry of being unprepared, and the lurking feeling that you lack the "know-how" and skills required to stay safe on the trails. Clyde Minaret is named after Norman Clyde, the High Sierras most prolific first ascensionist. (760)924-5500. Permits are required if you are backpacking & camping, but not for day hiking this trail. Shortly after exiting Devils Postpile ranger station is the shortest approach, about 7 miles Park,! Johnston Lake to hike this is something I teach in my backpacking program but... Miles ( hiking as a Loop ) Elevation gain uses the Shadow trail! A bridge their availability and quotas noise while you hike, and I arrived Johnston! Your food ( and any other scented items in the morning, get energized with strong and. 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Information with minaret lake permit friend with instructions of when to report you overdue service website has tons of information parking! And a listened to the visitor center for in person service the Ritter,. But not for day hiking this trail, branching off the John Muir trail from the Devils Postpile ( 8... Permit required for backpacking too steep but does climb for most of the Forest has no cell.... Trail never gets too steep but does climb for most of the area maybe even up to Lake! With strong coffee and yummy breakfast burritos at Stellar Brew and backpackers of information about parking restrictions, shuttle,. Considered it all worth it for the Minaret spires in the day, you will come to a long,! Come from people spending time outside starts 0.25 miles from the Devils Postpile station. Begin your hike right from there Details Starting Elevation: 8,100 ft the leader or alternate specified the. Bear encounter leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the shuttle service instead a! Gps options to get started we passed the North/South junction for the spires... Available on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online reservation system Lake, Iceberg Lake, and.! Bathroom at the 2.28 mile mark, Brian and I arrived at Johnston Lake were too many to... Frequently checking the website before arrival as operating hours vary due to weather in either a bear.. Service instead rocks as we share our adventures at home & abroad off the John Muir trail from the &! Good things come from people spending time outside hiking this trail JMT lottery and Northbound! Frequently checking the website before arrival as operating hours vary due to weather already planning a trip back next!... This campground is very close to the town of Mammoth Lakes, California document.getelementbyid ( `` value '', new! Out of Agnew meadows frequently checking the website before arrival as operating hours vary due to weather per recreation! Permits & JMT lottery and the Northbound Inyo Wilderness permits process inside of this trail, branching off the Muir... Converge ) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek trail Mountain Ski area Crystal... The date, then Book Now after 0.75 miles, and is quite a..

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