The views open up for a bit just after four miles, and you can begin to see the minaret spires in the distance. 2) Click the Explore Available Permits button. We provide tools and tips to discover Education Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. You can scroll through a list of dates to see other availability if your original start date isnt available. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 17 h 25 min to complete. This trail has some elevation gain, but its fairly spread out over the whole hike. Being novice backpackers, we made a poor selection for our campsite. No spots left? We lost, having to finish the last two miles in the dark, but we were prepared with headlamps. Here well go over the pros and cons of each option. Through this section there are a few false trails that branch off, and staying to the right each time kept us on the correct path. I already have a permit for this trailhead. From Cecile Lake. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Parking: Backpacker parking is at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. 10001 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 800.MAMMOTH (800.626.6684) Minaret Lake crowds: You probably wont be alone on this trail, but the crowds usually arent too bad overall. For email, allow time for response during business hours. We found a nice, well-protected campsite on the southeast shore of the lake that still had views of the tops of the mountains. | 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. 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. Devil's Postpile Ranger Station. So worth the early wake-up call though. In Minaret Creek you will fish for Brook Trout. Day two. Guides. Trails with zero space in winter are affected by road closure. Alerts and Closures for Inyo National Forest. I thought the altitude gain is closer to 2,300 since the lake is at 9,800ish. While I initially hoped to visit on an overnight trip so that I could capture the early morning on the peaks, we decided that the frigid temperatures during a night in October would be a bit uncomfortable. Be empowered and take 100% ownership for yourself my friend. Also, you dont have to worry about getting a wilderness permit if you day hike. (Please note the below links may contain affiliate links). 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. Also, if youre newer to backpacking, this makes a great one-night intro backpacking trip. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Permits required YEAR ROUND for overnight trips to Ansel Adams, John Muir, Hoover, & Golden Trout Wilderness areas, Group leader is responsible to ensure everyone in their group understands & obeys the conditions of the permit, All wilderness permits are reserved online. Three and a half hours later, we were back at the trailhead waiting for the shuttle! Mount Whitney Summit from Trail Camp. Do you need a permit to hike Minaret lake? Thanks The lack of permits hinders access . Or, if you have more energy, you could also hike a little more around the area maybe even up to Cecil Lake. Put on your pack and hit the trail. 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. In that case, its probably worth spending a night in Mammoth Lakes before the hike in order to give your body a little time to adjust. After a long day on the trail, we stumbled into Mammoth Brewing Company for some well-deserved burgers and beers. 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. Yes! Minaret Lake Trail Stats - All the nitty gritty details for the trail in one spot. Food Storage: There is 1, two-sided bear box located at each trailhead (High Trail/Shadow Lake Trail). But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. After a resting and scarfing down our lunches, we decided to spend some time exploring the lake shore. 4) If you find an available date that works for you, click on the date, then Book Now.. Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. Whitney Zone Off the JMT Coldwater Canyon Blayney Hot Springs area From the Town of Mammoth, take Minaret Road to the entrance of Devils Postpile National Monument. Sunset . Minaret Lake Trail Red's Meadow Area Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 Phone: (760) 924-5500 Overview Also called the Minaret Creek Trail, this is a 6.5-mile (one way) hike that offers a moderate to difficult challenge up to 9,500 feet. Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. Hiking poles could definitely come in handy here to maintain your balance in the water on slippery rocks. Located in California's beautiful eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inyo National Forest offers challenging trails, high mountain peaks, and unparalleled views. Follow the trail to around 1.5 miles, where the trail veers away from Horsethief Creek and approaches Pine Valley Creek. Day three. Deadlines. | 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. Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. The loop starts and ends at Agnew Meadows, located near Devils Postpile National . 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.. Depending on the season you choose to hike Minaret Lake, you could encounter snow on the trail, which would make the hike more technical and potentially treacherous. In the middle of the summer, the trail should be clear and melted out, but early in the summer or in the fall, you should definitely check the updated trail conditions and snowfall totals for the season before you attempt this hike. If youre looking for a great intro backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, the Minaret Lake trail is it! The hike to Minaret Lake is not a technical hike, but you should still pay special attention to the following potential safety hazards, and be sure to plan ahead accordingly. Check for open hours before you go to the visitor center for in person service. Fly Fish Guanaja began fishing around the Bay Islands of Honduras 17 years ago. This is a good choice if you dont have a lot of time in the area or if youre looking for a challenging day for training. Then I went back to bed! Dispose of trash in bear resistant trash cans., Visitors to the Mt. How difficult is hiking Minaret Lake? Yes, there are creeks and lakes you can filter water from. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. Incredible contrasts of Son Kul; Express tours. We are Brian and Julie, a Bay Area couple making travel work with full-time jobs. Your furry friend can join you on this trail (just be prepared to navigate a possible stream crossing). | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking Mt. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. A per person recreation fee is charged for your group when reserving a wilderness permit for entry on Inyo National Forest trails. Trips sponsored by organizations or commercial groups must contact the wilderness permit office, a special use permit may be needed. Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of Leave No Trace and review wilderness rules with all members of your group.. The Trail Code youll be applying for is Minaret Lake - AA11. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. Hike Type: Overnight. Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. Leader or alternate leader names cannot be changed or added., No refund if you cancel your reservation less than 12 days before the entry date. Groups cannot be larger than 15 people (includes day use). The cover photo for this post is from me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best friend to this area. 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. Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Also be sure to check out these essential hiking resources! Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. It details all the key milestones of the hike including the trailhead start, summit, and more. Reservations cannot be sold or transferred. After 0.75 miles, we passed the North/South junction for the PCT. Minaret Vista. Heres a look at the Minaret Lake hike elevation gain profile from the trailhead to the lake and back. 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. 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. 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. Click here for all important dates for booking CA backpacking permits. BUS SHUTTLE INFORMATION: https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. How to Get to the Minaret Lake Trailhead Driving and parking recommendations. Don't lose your ticket, you'll need it for your return shuttle! website belongs to an official government organization in the If you are arriving between 7a and 7p,. 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 glowing Minarets behind Youssif Wildflowers by Ediza Lake, even in July Not a bad place to sit bax and relax That day we decided to follow a fellow hiker's advice to hike up to Nydiver Lakes. 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. 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. Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. The ranger station is located at 2510 Main Street (Route 203) on the road into Mammoth Lakes. 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