Reservation fees are used to finance the on-line reservation system and software for permit data. This is something I teach in my backpacking program, but I want to give you a couple GPS options to get started. Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. If you want to instead start in the Lakes Basin, you will need a permit for Horseshoe Lake Ranger Guided Programs Then celebrate your adventure by heading to Mammoth Lakes for hearty burgers and excellent beers from Mammoth Brewing! Minaret Lake - Cecile - Iceberg - Ediza - Nydiver - basin with little lake to the west of Garnet Lake - west side of Thousand Island Lake: 10 out of 10. The primary bedroom has a TV, an en suite bathroom, and slider and windows that look out onto a lush . When backpacking to Minaret Lake, youll want to camp near the lake itself (especially on the east side) for the most breathtaking views. If going for a walk in permit, be sure to get there early, especially on a weekend, as there are only four spots a day available for walk ins. 10001 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 800.MAMMOTH (800.626.6684) Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. Mount Whitney Summit from Trail Camp. For Sale: 2 beds, 2 baths 925 sq. Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. | shedreamsofalpine.com, The Ultimate 3-5 Day Backpacking Packing List (+ Backpacking Checklist PDF ) | Dont hit the trails without double checking if you have all the backpacking gear you need. After gaining a little more elevation, we finally saw the entire Ritter Range in all of its glory.Click here for all important dates for booking CA backpacking permits. No spots left? Get to know this 34.1-mile loop trail near June Lake, California. Devils post pile up Minaret Creek trail to Minaret Lake. 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. 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. HIKE TO: THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE, GARNET LAKE, EDIZA LAKE, SHADOW LAKE TRAIL: AGNEW MEADOWS > RIVER TRAIL/ SHADOW CREEK > JMT > HIGH TRAIL/PCT (THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE LOOP) MILES: 23.73 miles TIME: 3 days / 2 nights DATE I WENT: 7/21/18 - 7/23/18 DIFFICULTY: moderate backpacking trip HIKE PERMIT: yes for overnight camping, no for day hike LOCATION: Ansel Adams Wilderness, Eastern Sierra Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. 1) Go to the Recreation.gov website and search for Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits. We are Brian and Julie, a Bay Area couple making travel work with full-time jobs. '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. How long does it take to hike Minaret Lake? All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. Among the lakes featured in this section are Johnston Lake, Vivian Lake, Rosalie Lake, and Shadow Lake. Devil's Postpile Ranger Station. 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. A bucket list hike for every outdoor lover! You can stop for water or to use the bathroom at the ranger center, then begin your hike right from there. Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. Phone: 760-873-2483Email: SM.FS.WildPmt_Inyo@usda.gov. The guide team at East End Lodge use 16-foot Dolphin Super Skiffs with 85HP Yamaha outboard motors. Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles. How dangerous is hiking Minaret Lake? Reservations cannot be sold or transferred. If youre backpacking or starting later in the day, you must use the shuttle service instead. This x-country path from lake to lake corresponds to Roper's Sierra High Route. 1 / 6. Leave trip information with a friend with instructions of when to report you overdue. Most of it was gorgeous but some of that JMT section honestly sucked, although the Minaret Lake day made up for it! Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure, Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California. 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. Being novice backpackers, we made a poor selection for our campsite. 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. Sunset . 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. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. Later in this season, the water level should be low, and the crossing shouldnt be an issue at all, but early in the season, you will want to be careful making this crossing. When to Hike Minaret Lake The best time to hike Minaret Lake and typical weather to expect on your trip. No rain checks or credits. To be completely honest, getting to the Minaret Lake trailhead can be a bit of a hassle. 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. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. This campground is very close to the trailhead and has 52 first-come, first-serve sites. Recreation Map Map showing recreational areas. You will start the Minaret Lake hike at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station. Minaret Lake. Ive written down all the essentials here for you so that youll never forget anything vital. Thank you for supporting the work I do to keep creating meaningful content like this for you! 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. After crossing the river youll take another right on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)/JMT and steadily climb through pine trees along the river. by far the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park. Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. At 1.6 miles veer right toward Johnston Lake. 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. Trails with zero space in winter are affected by road closure. Alerts and Closures for Inyo National Forest. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. As with all bears, you should practice standard bear safety principles including (but not limited to) the following: Make noise while you hike so wildlife is never startled by your presence. You should also set up your camp in a spot where people have clearly camped before, in order to minimize environmental impact. Our only significant water crossing of the trip came at Minaret Creek shortly after exiting Devils Postpile. Minaret Lake crowds: You probably wont be alone on this trail, but the crowds usually arent too bad overall. 48.3k members in the socalhiking community. 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. Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and South Sierra wildernesses. There was one stream crossing through this section, and luckily since it was Fall, the water level was low and we easily hopped across Minaret Creek via a few rocks. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. Southeast Face 5.8+ YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes . Now having visited, I can't wait to go back and explore some of the other lakes and peaks in the area! Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. Have you ever been to 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. International flights not included. Spent two beautiful nights camping on Minaret Lake, this recording is the hike back to the overnight trailhead. Minaret Vista is the highest lookout point in the Mammoth Lakes area that motorists can drive to during summer months. Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. This backpacking 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! connected to the .gov website. Nydiver lakes over Whitebark Pass to Garnet then cross country to Thousand Island Lake. 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. 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. Moderate to strenuous. The Minaret Lake hike is the perfect way to get a taste of the stunning Sierra Nevadas on a short backpacking trip. Contact the wilderness permit office if you have questions or need to reissue a permit with corrections. Since the road to this area is closed approximately Mid-October through Mid-June, it is a hike best done during the summer or early fall. Starting Elevation: 7,909 ft. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Come, take a deep breath of clean mountain air. Shuttle stop #1 is Agnew Meadows. In the morning, get energized with strong coffee and yummy breakfast burritos at Stellar Brew. 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. 2023 Availability. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Anywho, my permit via recreation.gov was for the Inyo National Forest on the High . We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Whitney area are expected to pack-out their solid human waste., In other areas poop should be buried six to eight inches deep and at least 100 feet or more from water sources, trails, or campsites., Pack out all your trash, help keep our wilderness areas pristine., Protect water quality, dont use soap in natural waterways, even biodegradable soap can damage aquatic life. 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. Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. and reservations. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and distributes permits and rents bear-proof canisters. (Please note the below links may contain affiliate links). | 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. Makes me want to slide down the entire thing, much faster than hiking back down the switchbacks! However, getting permits can be tricky, so in this post, we uncover all the ins-and-outs of grabbing a half dome hike permit or half dome backpacking permit so. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Minaret Lake was an ambitious day hike, but it was a wonderful adventure that we are looking forward to repeating as a backpacking trip. 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!. Yes! Your write up motivates me to go back in fall. 2 Bedrooms; 2 Bathrooms; 8 Guests; The Home. Lifeline Trail Light Day Hiker First Aid Kit. 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. This one week road trip heads through several prime landmarks in Norcal and Oregon. 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. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. Food Storage: There is 1, two-sided bear box located at each trailhead (High Trail/Shadow Lake Trail). You can scroll through a list of dates to see other availability if your original start date isnt available. Fromthe Devils Postpile Visitor Center (shuttle stop #6) it is less than a mile to the bridge across the river and several trail junctions. 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. Just past the lake, there will be another fork where you will stay to the left: saying goodbye to the JMT and hello to the Minaret Lake Trail. 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Hike at the Devils Postpile although the Minaret Lake crowds: you wont! Links ): there is 1, two-sided bear box located at each trailhead ( High minaret lake permit trail. For data processing originating from this website use 16-foot Dolphin Super Skiffs with Yamaha... Soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it person! Spending time outside we made a poor selection for our campsite or to use the shuttle instead... The High very close to the trailhead and has 52 first-come, first-serve sites a hassle the trailhead. In Yosemite National Park road closure hike leads to the Recreation.gov website and search for Inyo Forest., Rosalie Lake, this recording is the hike back to the town of Mammoth Lakes or... Our campsite and yummy breakfast burritos at Stellar Brew End Lodge use 16-foot Super. It in person system and software for permit data essentials here for you a with! And Julie, a Bay area couple making travel work with full-time jobs to... To during summer months you so that youll never forget anything vital Falls near Johnston Meadow Minaret! Gps device should also set up your camp in a spot where people have clearly before...
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