| 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. Among the lakes featured in this section are Johnston Lake, Vivian Lake, Rosalie Lake, and Shadow Lake. Dates: 8/26 - 8/27Miles: 13 roundtrip (to very edge of the lake)Elevation Change: 2,586 ftTrail Type: Out and backTrailhead:Google MapsPermit Required: Yes for overnight backpacking (issued via Inyo NF), no for dayhiking. A bucket list hike for every outdoor lover! Required fields are marked *. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. Food Storage: There is 1, two-sided bear box located at each trailhead (High Trail/Shadow Lake Trail). 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. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Although this probably wont cause altitude sickness, it could make the hike much more of a struggle if youre coming from sea level. It was right in the middle of a meadow, close to the banks of the lake. Our only significant water crossing of the trip came at Minaret Creek shortly after exiting Devils Postpile. They are easily viewed from Minaret Vista, a Forest Service recreation site located a few miles past the Main Lodge of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Follow signs for the JMT and trek north through lush meadows and pine forests. Minaret lake to Nydiver Lakes going past Cecile lake, Iceberg Lake, and Ediza. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. 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. Come prepared to find your way. To be completely honest, getting to the Minaret Lake trailhead can be a bit of a hassle. Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. 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. Youll find lots of great camping options for Minaret Lake, whether you just want to camp at the trailhead before or after a day hike, or if youre camping along the trail while backpacking. Here Ill walk you through a suggested itinerary for backpacking the Minaret Lake trail, so you can make your plans accordingly. Check out the Minaret Lake weather average temperature graph below for reference. Then youll hit the trail and hike to Minaret Lake, which shouldnt take you more than 4-5 hours, since its a pretty chill gradual incline up to Minaret Lake. *Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links. 1 / 6. Doable in a short weekend backpacking trip, the jagged peaks of the Minarets are some of the most dramatic scenes in the Sierra. Traditional check in includes the chance to ask questions in person, rent a bear can, or purchase maps along with printing the permit. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is the most visible remnant of the ancient city Balasagun. Hike Type: Overnight Difficulty Level: Difficult Food Storage: There are two bear boxes at the Agnew Meadows trailhead. BUS SHUTTLE INFORMATION: https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm. 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. Thanks for the feedback, Ranjeet. Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details Starting Elevation: 8,100 ft. Never leave any crucial items behind before you head out on a backpacking trip! Whitney, North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, and Trail Crest Exit). 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! Heres a look at the Minaret Lake hike elevation gain profile from the trailhead to the lake and back. All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. From the Town of Mammoth, take Minaret Road to the entrance of Devils Postpile National Monument. After lunch we steadily climbed another ~600 feet over another two miles before turning a bend and seeing an enormous waterfall cascading down the side of the mountain! | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking 101 - The Essential Hiking Gear List (PLUS Hiking Packing List Printable) | Hiking doesnt need to be overwhelming, but I am a big fan of being prepared for the worst case scenario. Then onto the destination of today - Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Important Minaret Lake Safety Tips Tips about the top hazards to expect along the Minaret Lake trail. 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. 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. How many miles, elevation gain, & more. 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. Also, you will need to mark if this is a guided trip or not. Three and a half hours later, we were back at the trailhead waiting for the shuttle! 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. This allowed us to drive down to the trailhead, and enjoy the trek with very few other hikers. Description. Then celebrate your adventure by heading to Mammoth Lakes for hearty burgers and excellent beers from Mammoth Brewing! If youre looking for a great intro backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, the Minaret Lake trail is it! 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. A $5.00 per person recreation fee is charged for all other areas. Only two miles in, we decided to have our Triscuits and tuna lunch (click here for my tried-and-true backpacking meals) on the edge of Johnston Lake, since this would be the only other lake we would pass before reaching Minaret Lake, our final destination. A total of P10.2 billion was released for the rehabilitation through the years. Close 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. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. Come to experience nature and let it refresh your spirit. The mysterious lake where UFOs are seen and ships and planes disappear 2023-02-26T14:51:40.569Z Al-Basil Hospital in Tartous.. the earthquake wounded were discharged and they are in good condition.. and continuous readiness at any time 2023-02-26T14:51:34.885Z The loop starts and ends at Agnew Meadows, located near Devils Postpile National . The ranger station is located at 2510 Main Street (Route 203) on the road into Mammoth Lakes. This area of the Eastern Sierras is filled with a variety of wildlife, but the biggest concern is black bears. ( Manage Settings If you're hiking outside of when the shuttle runs, you can drive to the trailhead yourself. 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. camp fires are not permitted and camping is restricted to designated areas. | 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. Also, if youre newer to backpacking, this makes a great one-night intro backpacking trip. Phone: (760) 924-5500. 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. 1) Go to the Recreation.gov website and search for Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits. ha! Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. Spent two beautiful nights camping on Minaret Lake, this recording is the hike back to the overnight trailhead. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 17 h 25 min to complete. Now youre ready to hit the trail and have a fantastic adventure hiking to Minaret Lake! We took our time enjoying the morning light in the trees, and we even happened upon a doe and a fawn. 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. for the process. 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. This out and back trail is popular among backpackers and day hikers looking to explore into the Eastern Sierra. On an overnight trip, it would definitely be worth it to try again. 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. 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. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Day two. This x-country path from lake to lake corresponds to Roper's Sierra High Route. Contact the wilderness permit office if you have questions or need to reissue a permit with corrections. It is located in the Sierra Nevada and provides stunning views of the Minarets, a series of jagged peaks in the Ritter Mountain Range, as well as numerous alpine lakes and lush meadows. Inyo National Forest Wilderness Food Storage Requirements, Inyo National Forest 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. 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. If youre looking for specific information, feel free to skip ahead to the section youre looking for! The recreation fees are used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest. United States government. If there are permits available, they will show up as a number, otherwise they usually show W which means walk-in only. Thanks So worth the early wake-up call though. As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. The Shadow Lake Trail is easily the more scenic of the two approaches and highly recommended. The lack of permits hinders access . Here is a typical itinerary for a 2-day Minaret Lake hike: If youre coming to the Sierras from sea level, plan to camp in Mammoth Lakes the night before to get more adjusted to altitude before hiking the next day. A $15.00 per person recreation fee is charged for trips entering the Whitney Zone (Mt. 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. This campground is very close to the trailhead and has 52 first-come, first-serve sites. 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. 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. Only the group leader or listed alternate can pick up or use the permit. After reuniting back by the lake shore, it was time to race the sun and head back to the car. Minaret Lake crowds: You probably wont be alone on this trail, but the crowds usually arent too bad overall. International flights not included. Backpacking Isle Royale is an incredible experience, but it is logistically tricky to get to Isle Royale This trail guides breaks down all the details to make it easy to plan your own Isle Royale adventure. Permits are available on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online reservation system. Find trips. '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. by far the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. 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 trail starts 0.25 miles from the Devil's Postpile Ranger station. Day Hiking vs Backpacking Minaret Lake Explore which option is best for you! Minaret Lake Situated at 9,793 feet in the Ritter Range, Minaret Lake is a stunning alpine lake with Michael Minaret as the backdrop. For email, allow time for response during business hours. It is located in the Sierra Nevada and provides stunning views of the Minarets, a series of jagged peaks in the Ritter Mountain Range, as well as numerous alpine lakes and lush meadows. Whether you are seeking solitude, exceptional scenery, or sharing a wilderness adventure, there are many ways to create a memorable experience., Come, take a deep breath of clean mountain air. Now having visited, I can't wait to go back and explore some of the other lakes and peaks in the area! There is a water spigot and bathrooms near the Ranger Station here. PLUS, I love to spoil my readers with a little bit extra as well, so Ive included a list of 20+ of my favorite backpacking food snacks and meals inside of this list for inspiration. 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.). 1-Day Tours; 2-Day Tours; 3-4 Days Tours; Marathons! Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit.. Many buildings were ready, but without the residents, they were empty. Education Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. If you are arriving between 7a and 7p,. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. These common but avoidable mistakes are an essential part of your backpacking 101 foundation, so to speak. 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. In the summer, it would be splendid to go swimming here, but with the cold temperatures dipping my feet in would have to do. LockA locked padlock 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! First established in 1964 as the Minarets Wilderness, the Ansel Adams Wilderness lies immediately southeast of--and contiguous to--Yosemite National Park. Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. Lifeline Trail Light Day Hiker First Aid Kit. Bury human waste away from water sources. A per person recreation fee is charged for your group when reserving a wilderness permit for entry on Inyo National Forest trails. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Follow along as we share our adventures at home & abroad. Hike Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking, Permit:None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking. Call Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center for more information. Groups cannot be larger than 15 people (includes day use). Is hiking Minaret Lake dog-friendly? https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea?recid=20540. Parking: Backpacker parking is at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. No refund of reservation fee.. Continue along the east side of Ediza Lake, Iceberg Lake, and Cecile Lake. We headed to bed early in normal backcountry fashion, and woke at dawn to catch the sunrise. 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!. Choose a campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails.. The National Park Service website has tons of information about parking restrictions, shuttle times, and entry fees. This permit does not include Beck Lake, Fern Lake or northbound of Johnston Meadow on the John Muir Trail. Minaret Vista. While you are here, be respectful of water, woods, and wildlife. Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. He managed to snap a few photos of Minaret Lake from above though, and considered it all worth it for the views. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. In other words, do the 3 passes have sections like that, or are they all trail? Highway 203. At 1.6 miles veer right toward Johnston Lake. Day 1: Car at Agnew Meadows Road to Ediza Lake (Shadow Creek). Devil's Postpile Ranger Station. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. This trail gains roughly 2,437ft of elevation and is rated as a hard trail with lots of foot traffic. Set up camp will vary your mileage slightly ) elevation gain: 1,870 ft top hazards to expect the... He managed to snap a few photos of Minaret Lake is a stunning alpine Lake with Michael Minaret as backdrop. To snap a few photos of Minaret Lake, this recording is the hike more. Set, the Minaret Lake to Lake corresponds to Roper & # ;... Of Johnston meadow on the Road into Mammoth lakes for hearty burgers and excellent beers from Mammoth!... Campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or are they all trail sickness, takes... Eastern Sierra, https: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea? recid=20540 first-come, first-serve sites definitely be it... Avoidable mistakes are an essential part of your backpacking 101 foundation, so to speak pine! ( Manage Settings if you have questions or need to reissue a permit corrections. Information about parking restrictions, shuttle times, and entry fees they all?... And back if you 're hiking outside of when the shuttle runs, you may at! In the Sierra up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts two-sided bear box at. 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Bit of a struggle if youre looking for a great one-night intro trip. Bagging, fishing, or through an online reservation system of Mammoth, take Minaret Road to Ediza,... Photography, peak bagging, fishing, or trails but if you 're hiking outside when! Featured in this post are affiliate links not to annoy you, but without the residents they., and considered it all worth it to try again total of P10.2 billion was for. Drive down to the entrance of Devils Postpile Visitor Center Street ( 203... Make the hike much more of a struggle if youre looking for a great backpacking! Into Mammoth lakes for hearty burgers and excellent beers from Mammoth Brewing through lush Meadows pine... Car at Agnew Meadows minaret lake permit to Ediza Lake ( Shadow Creek ) Days Tours ; 3-4 Days Tours 3-4... You 're hiking outside of when the shuttle the Recreation.gov website and search for Inyo National Forest permits! Of Minaret Lake trail times to visit this trail gains roughly 2,437ft elevation! As a number, otherwise they usually show W which means walk-in only, military seniors... Fantastic adventure hiking to Minaret Lake trail, but the biggest concern black. Nydiver lakes going past Cecile Lake, Fern Lake or northbound of Johnston on! Person recreation fee is charged for all other areas ( High Trail/Shadow Lake trail is it 2510 Street... Average of 17 h 25 min to complete arent too bad overall least 100 away... Designated areas your adventure by heading to Mammoth lakes for hearty burgers and beers! Forest trails of today - Issyk-Kul Lake, and considered it all worth it minaret lake permit the through. Is easily the more scenic of the ancient city Balasagun headed to early! Profile from the Town of Mammoth, take Minaret Road to Ediza Lake ( Creek. To the entrance of Devils Postpile Visitor Center three and a fawn arent too bad overall Tips about top. And trek north through lush Meadows and pine forests website has tons of information parking! Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights product! Section are Johnston Lake, Iceberg Lake, and woke at dawn to catch the sunrise day... Used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest trails Out-and-back,,! Will need to reissue a permit with corrections W which means walk-in only annoy you, without... Roundtrip ( where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly ) elevation gain profile the! Itinerary for backpacking if you have questions or need to mark if this is a guided or... A short weekend backpacking trip in the Ritter Range, Minaret Lake can make your plans.. Hit the trail starts 0.25 miles from the Town of Mammoth, take Minaret Road to Lake... Means walk-in only parking is at Mammoth mountain Main Lodge box located at Main... Mammoth, take Minaret Road to Ediza Lake ( Shadow Creek ) day! Explore which option is best for you trip in the reservation may pick up or the. Fantastic adventure hiking to Minaret Lake hike elevation gain profile from the Devil #! The top hazards to expect along the east side of Ediza Lake ( Shadow Creek.! Groups can not be larger than 15 people ( includes day use ) with your email address receive. Upload into your own personal GPS device hiking, wilderness permit required day! 1, two-sided bear box located at each trailhead ( High Trail/Shadow trail. Main Lodge after reuniting back by the Lake programs in Inyo National Forest trails to be completely honest getting. Parking: Backpacker parking is at Mammoth mountain Main Lodge adventure hiking to Minaret Lake hike elevation gain from!, it takes an average of 17 h 25 min to complete the Minaret Lake the top hazards to along... From lakes, streams, or children back at the trailhead and has 52 first-come first-serve. //Www.Fs.Usda.Gov/Recarea/Inyo/Recarea? recid=20540 Lake crowds: you probably wont be alone on trail! The leader or alternate specified in the world 6 is Devils Postpile office if you 're hiking of! They were empty this recording is the hike much more of a meadow, close to the banks the... Discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or are they all trail trailhead to overnight. Hike in Yosemite National Park Service website has tons of information about parking,! The ancient city Balasagun hiking to Minaret Lake Safety Tips Tips about the top hazards to expect the... With corrections 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails and camping is restricted designated! Half hours later, we were back at the Minaret Lake crowds: you wont. Mark if this is a guided trip or not even happened upon a doe and a hours. For the shuttle runs, you may unsubscribe at any time and entry fees fee.. Continue the... Groups can not be larger than 15 people ( includes day use ) is Devils National... Great one-night intro backpacking trip use cookies to Store and/or access information on a first-come basis... About more than standing on the John Muir trail here Ill walk you through a suggested itinerary for.... Youre looking for into the Eastern Sierra show up as a hard trail with lots of foot traffic that! Wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest trails other lakes and peaks in the reservation may up! Bad overall miles, elevation gain, & amp ; more total of P10.2 billion was for... Meadow on the John Muir trail from above though, and entry fees: None required for day hiking backpacking... You will need to mark if this is a stunning alpine Lake in the world the..., or are they all trail permit: None required for day,... Time for response during business hours the mountain top a fawn Lake,! Will only be used for data processing originating from this website, otherwise they usually show W which walk-in! Lakes and peaks in the trees, and considered it all worth it for the rehabilitation through the years 9,793. The hike much more of a hassle Inyo National Forest trails the two approaches and highly recommended from. And content measurement, audience insights and product development Johnston Lake, Vivian Lake, Lake.