Mammoth Lakes offers many camping options, from developed campgrounds to dispersed camping. Reds Meadow campground is also an awesome option, if youre lucky enough to actually score a spot. Contact the wilderness permit office if you have questions or need to reissue a permit with corrections. He managed to snap a few photos of Minaret Lake from above though, and considered it all worth it for the views. While the summer months of July and August make for great trail conditions, they also are the months when you will find the most mosquitoes. Minaret Vista is the highest lookout point in the Mammoth Lakes area that motorists can drive to during summer months. Check weather and road closures before choosing a trip in winter or spring. Search & Rescue Mountain Safety Message., Be alert when arriving at night in areas with bear activity. And be aware that youll be camping by a lake, which means you could have to deal with some serious mosquitoes, especially during the summer season. We provide tools and tips to discover 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! Make sure you take some time to enjoy what is sure to be a spectacular Sierra Nevada sunset. 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. At the 2.28 mile mark, Brian and I arrived at Johnston Lake. Whitney Zone Off the JMT Coldwater Canyon Blayney Hot Springs area I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. Minaret Lake Trail 5.1 mi Overview Map The Minaret Lake Trail is accessed via the overlapping Pacific Crest and John Muir trails from the Devils Postpile Trailhead in the Devils Postpile National Monument. 2023 Availability. Parking: Backpacker parking is at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. No refund of reservation fee.. Many buildings were ready, but without the residents, they were empty. planning and preparing for a wilderness trip (PDF), rules for specific areas where food storage containers are required, 60% of spaces are released 6 months in advance, on the matching date (example entry date of July 4 opens on January 4), 40% of spaces are released 2 weeks in advance, on the same day of the week (example entry date of Tuesday July 4 opens on Tuesday June 20), Signed permit must be in group leaders possession, Everyone in group must start on entry date & location on permit, You cannot exceed group size stated on permit, Groups cannot combine to exceed 15 people, Permit is only valid for one continuous wilderness trip, For trips ending at Mt Whitney (Whitney Portal) the permit must specify exit point of, Print trip informatin to leave with a friend (recomended). 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. We were distracted by a partially frozen waterfall 4.35 miles in, and just past this marker you will begin to climb up more through a few switchbacks. Bury human waste away from water sources. Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and South Sierra wildernesses. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 45 min to complete. 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. 7 Tips to Hiking and Summitting Your First Fourteener Mountain, California backpacking permit process for popular trails and campsites, Backpacking for Beginners: 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking | Consider this list of common backpacking blunders and backpacking tips as your introduction to backpacking basics. Apparently the log bridge washed away a few years ago. ) or https:// means you've safely 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!. I finally hiked the High Sierra Trail, a trip I've been dying to do for years! Always keep your distance if you see a bear. Southeast Face 5.8+ YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes . Get off the shuttle at Stop #6, Devils Postpile. 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. 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. Then I went back to bed! Covering about 25 miles with 2,110 feet of elevation change, the loop is usually done in three days of hiking (not including any additional layover days). Take in the view while you are on the bridge. Click here for everything I pack for a weekend backpacking trip. No rain checks or credits. Please help protect this natural resource and leave it unmarked for future visitors. 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. | 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. Choose a campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails.. Devil's Postpile Ranger Station. Also, you dont have to worry about getting a wilderness permit if you day hike. By their own admission things didn't start well. | 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. We want to return to the lake as well to explore more of the area! You can stop for water or to use the bathroom at the ranger center, then begin your hike right from there. From this point, youll be alternating between forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles. A $15.00 per person recreation fee is charged for trips entering the Whitney Zone (Mt. Devils post pile up Minaret Creek trail to Minaret Lake. Permits are required for overnight camping and backpacking trips and can be obtained at www.recreation.gov. Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip to experience classic Sierra lakes and mountains. Have you ever been to Minaret Lake? Minaret Vista. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. Check for open hours before you go to the visitor center for in person service. 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. It's a bit surprising considering how popular the trails are . Day Hiking vs Backpacking Minaret Lake Explore which option is best for you! Recreation.gov! 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. Minaret Lake Trail Stats - All the nitty gritty details for the trail in one spot. Common Destinations:Johnston Meadow, Minaret Creek, Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail names. As always, all opinions are my own. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. 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. | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking Mt. If you're hiking outside of when the shuttle runs, you can drive to the trailhead yourself. Phone: (760) 924-5500. Flush toilet at shuttle stop. Come, take a deep breath of clean mountain air. In Minaret Creek you will fish for Brook Trout. How difficult is hiking Minaret Lake? Come prepared to find your way. After having breakfast and packing up our packs, we started our hike out. How many miles, elevation gain, & more. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. One week before the trip you can print at home or request the permit. Education Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. 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. 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. All rights reserved. I've been wanting to visit Minaret Lake for so long now, and I love that I was able to squeeze in a weekend trip from the Bay Area. 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. Incredible contrasts of Son Kul; Express tours. Elevation Gain: ~1,388ft. 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. | 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. Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. Monday August 21. Dont ever risk getting lost, and dont rely on other people for your safety outdoors. The trail starts 0.25 miles from the Devil's Postpile Ranger station. Outdoorsy women are badass. For email, allow time for response during business hours. If you have time, take a quick stop at Minaret Vista to gaze at your hiking goal for the day. 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. The Minaret Lake hike begins in the Devils Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California. So worth the early wake-up call though. While you are here, be respectful of water, woods, and wildlife. Journey to the Kel Suu lake; To the blooming valley of Karkara. You will apply for your Inyo Wilderness permit through Recreation.gov. Sitting directly below the summit of the towering 12,900ft. However, these days, wildfires can definitely be a concern in summer and fall, so keep that in mind. Moderate to strenuous. 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! Turn right at the junction, follow the sign for Minaret Falls and cross a bridge. Food Storage: There is 1, two-sided bear box located at each trailhead (High Trail/Shadow Lake Trail). The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This is something I teach in my backpacking program, but I want to give you a couple GPS options to get started. When you arrive at the alpine lake, you can scope out the best site to set up camp and spend your day relaxing at the lake. The final mile to Minaret Lake was the hardest and the steepest. Minaret Lake Hike | Words By Julie Boyd |Photos by Julie Boyd and Brian Callender. International flights not included. Here you'll find blog posts about some of my favorite backpacking and travel adventures. Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. 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. Remember to leave this place undamaged so it will continue to be what we seek of wilderness., Learn more about planning and preparing for a wilderness trip (PDF) in Inyo National Forest., Wilderness permit is required year round for overnight trips into John Muir, Ansel Adams, Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness, and Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. Guides. Trips sponsored by organizations or commercial groups must contact the wilderness permit office, a special use permit may be needed. This itinerary is packed with incredible hikes, waterfalls, rugged coastline, redwoods, caves, and lakes you wont want to miss. , youll be alternating between forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles Lakes,.... 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes 45 min complete. 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