Map Information Activities As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. You can mull-over your decision for the first half-mile on the trail. 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. 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')! On an overnight trip, it would definitely be worth it to try again. 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. What to eat while backpacking? Heres a look at the Minaret Lake hike elevation gain profile from the trailhead to the lake and back. Check weather and road closures before choosing a trip in winter or spring. Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. Also be sure to check out these essential hiking resources! 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. 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. Violators will be booted and charged a service fee. If you want to instead start in the Lakes Basin, you will need a permit for Horseshoe Lake Ranger Guided Programs 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). An official website of the Knowledge is power my friend, and I'm a girl who loves data. How to Get a Minaret Lake Permit The step-by-step process to get the required Minaret Lake permit for backpacking. After leaving Minaret Lake, follow the Minaret Creek Trail east to the PCT/JMT, where you can retrace your steps to Agnew Meadows. We switchbacked back and forth up the side of the mountain until we reached the top of the falls and headed over the ridge. Education Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. 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. If youre looking for a great intro backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, the Minaret Lake trail is it! Common Destinations:Johnston Meadow, Minaret Creek, Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail names. 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! Also, if youre backpacking, set up your camp farther away from water, where wind will help keep some of the mosquitoes away. 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. The trail starts 0.25 miles from the Devil's Postpile Ranger station. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) John Muir Trail Shadow Creek Trail Minaret Creek Trail PCT/JMT. The National Park Service website has tons of information about parking restrictions, shuttle times, and entry fees. Toughest thing I have done. Call Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center for more information. 1-Day Tours; 2-Day Tours; 3-4 Days Tours; Marathons! This x-country path from lake to lake corresponds to Roper's Sierra High Route. Thousand Island Lake: Hike Details. Choose a campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails.. Anywho, my permit via recreation.gov was for the Inyo National Forest on the High . If you choose to backpack to Minaret Lake, you will need to get an Inyo National Forest Wilderness permit in order to camp overnight. 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. Inyo National Forest Wilderness Food Storage Requirements, Inyo National Forest Also, you dont have to worry about getting a wilderness permit if you day hike. This destination we so extraordinary though that I am already planning a trip back next summer! Moderate to strenuous. It details all the key milestones of the hike including the trailhead start, summit, and more. Park here, use the restroom one last time, and be sure to lock away all scented items in the nearby bear lockers. 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. Sitting directly below the summit of the towering 12,900ft. Clyde Minaret is named after Norman Clyde, the High Sierras most prolific first ascensionist. 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. Hiking poles could definitely come in handy here to maintain your balance in the water on slippery rocks. After waking up early to catch the sunrise over the lake the next morning, head back down the trail and hike out. 3) You will then be taken to a long list of trailheads showing their availability and quotas. Whitney Zone Off the JMT Coldwater Canyon Blayney Hot Springs area If there are permits available, they will show up as a number, otherwise they usually show W which means walk-in only. 48.3k members in the socalhiking community. You'll hike along the Minaret Creek past meadows, an enormous waterfall, and eventually you'll see the entire range of the Minarets above you. Make sure you take some time to enjoy what is sure to be a spectacular Sierra Nevada sunset. This area of the Eastern Sierras is filled with a variety of wildlife, but the biggest concern is black bears. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock All Locations > California > High Sierra > 04 - Ritter & M > Clyde Minaret. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. | shedreamsofalpine.com, How to Get a Mt. Post includes free gear list printable for easy reference. 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. Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. The shuttle generally runs from mid-June to sometime in September. A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation. Elevation Gain: ~1,388ft. Crossing Minaret Creek Due to the high snow fall year and late melt, mosquitos were out in full force even in August. Phone: (760) 924-5500. Plus, be sure to check out the bottom of this post to find more hiking trail guides in California and other additional hiking, camping, and backpacking resources! You will have to pay a $10 day pass fee if you drive yourself (unless you have a National Parks pass). Complete your camp locations and verify final group size before you print permit. Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. The Shadow Lake Trail is easily the more scenic of the two approaches and highly recommended. Summary - A wildly popular and challenging hike straight into the heart of the jaw-dropping Ritter Mountain Rangewhat many people argue is Mammoth's most beautiful landscape. We stopped for a snack here and a listened to the rush of water over the rocks as we rested. Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. 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. Take time to enjoy the views as well as the pristine waters of Minaret Lake while walking along its shores. | 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. Visitorsto the Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus. No refund of reservation fee.. 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. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello! 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. 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). Nice pics and description. Get to know this 34.1-mile loop trail near June Lake, California. Trails with zero space in winter are affected by road closure. Alerts and Closures for Inyo National Forest. From day hiking Mt. 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 promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Just outside of town, there is plenty of BLM land and National Forest Service land, both of which allow free dispersed camping. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, Map showing recreational areas. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Most people hiking to Minaret Lake will need to take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to access the trailhead. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The Minarets are a series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range, a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada mountains. for the process. Now youre ready to hit the trail and have a fantastic adventure hiking to Minaret Lake! A total of P10.2 billion was released for the rehabilitation through the years. Don't lose your ticket, you'll need it for your return shuttle! Happy trails! You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. You will apply for your Inyo Wilderness permit through Recreation.gov. This trail has some elevation gain, but its fairly spread out over the whole hike. that youre fully prepared. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. Minaret lake to Nydiver Lakes going past Cecile lake, Iceberg Lake, and Ediza. 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. 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. "Run the Silk Road" Marathon Tour; Tien Shan Trail Race marathon "Tien Shan Trail Race" marathon-tour; Trekking I would imagine in summer it might be a bit more of an ordeal, especially in the early months, or after a season of heavy snowfall. Find trips. For email, allow time for response during business hours. There is an endless supply of loops, out-and-backs, and point-to-point hikes that can be completed in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Laura snagged us permits for the River Trail entrance. Put on your pack and hit the trail. After crossing the river youll take another right on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)/JMT and steadily climb through pine trees along the river. Southeast Face 5.8+ YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes . But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. This ended up being a good decision because we saw what was a much more impressive falls further up the trail. Minaret Vista is the highest lookout point in the Mammoth Lakes area that motorists can drive to during summer months. 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. After 0.75 miles, we passed the North/South junction for the PCT. You can filter further by typing in Minaret Lake or AA11 into the filter search box. The Minaret Lake hike begins in the Devils Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California. I think September is the most wonderful time of the year to hike in the Sierra Nevadas. on official, secure websites. Mammoth Lakes, CA. The Minaret Lakes Loop is a 30.4-mile loop trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. Required fields are marked *. But be sure to get up early to try to make it to the trailhead before 9am to grab parking. Take in the view while you are on the bridge. Permits You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. Then onto the destination of today - Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Mount Whitney Summit from Trail Camp. The recreation fees are used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest. 2) Click the Explore Available Permits button. Recreation.gov! It was right in the middle of a meadow, close to the banks of the lake. The Minaret Lake hike is the perfect way to get a taste of the stunning Sierra Nevadas on a short backpacking trip. 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. Spent two beautiful nights camping on Minaret Lake, this recording is the hike back to the overnight trailhead. The craggy Minarets surround the region. Devil's Postpile Ranger Station. | shedreamsofalpine.com, The Stress-Free Guide to Getting John Muir Trail Permits: 5 Simple Steps to Rocking the JMT Permit Process & All of Its Quirks | This post will guide you through the step-by-step process to getting permits for the John Muir Trail. While we were both pretty exhausted at this point, it was worth mustering up the energy for exploration since the lake is irregularly shaped with lots of rocky coves. Day three. Phone: 760-873-2483Email: SM.FS.WildPmt_Inyo@usda.gov. 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! Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. 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!. 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. 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. 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. 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. Minaret Lake features gorgeous views everywhere you turn. 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. Click here for everything I pack for a weekend backpacking trip. BearVault BV450 Bear Resistant Food Container. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 45 min to complete. Day Four. This trail gains roughly 2,437ft of elevation and is rated as a hard trail with lots of foot traffic. Have you ever been to Minaret Lake? Check for open hours before you go to the visitor center for in person service. 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. There will be a trail junction where you will find the John Muir Trail (JMT) separating from the PCT. >> JUMP TO SECTION 8 FOR A SUGGESTED MINARET LAKE TRAIL ITINERARY. Twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit to be exact. It wasn't until we turned a bend late in afternoon that we finally saw the tips of the jagged peaks in the distance above the nearby trees. Permits are required if you are backpacking & camping, but not for day hiking this trail. Important Minaret Lake Safety Tips Tips about the top hazards to expect along the Minaret Lake trail. 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