Apparently the log bridge washed away a few years ago. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. The hike down to Minaret Lake takes a little bit of route finding at the beginning as well, but once you drop down to connect to the Minaret Creek Trail, it's all easy downhill on an established dirt hiking trail. Groups cannot be larger than 15 people (includes day use). As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. The mandatory shuttle helps with congestion on the windy roads and runs from about mid June to early September. https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea?recid=20540. There is no better scenery in the Sierra. Common Destinations:Johnston Meadow, Minaret Creek, Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail names. Log onto your account at Recreation.gov to make changes or call the wilderness permit office for Inyo National Forest for reservation assistance (760) 873-2483. Yes, there are creeks and lakes you can filter water from. Description. Those 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away. Itinerary for Hiking the Minaret Lake Trail - Ill walk you through a suggested itinerary for backpacking the trail so you can make your plans accordingly. 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. The National Park Service website has tons of information about parking restrictions, shuttle times, and entry fees. Whitney Zone Off the JMT Coldwater Canyon Blayney Hot Springs area Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. Click here for all important dates for booking CA backpacking permits. 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. It's a bit surprising considering how popular the trails are . 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. From the Town of Mammoth, take Minaret Road to the entrance of Devils Postpile National Monument. on official, secure websites. A $15.00 per person recreation fee is charged for trips entering the Whitney Zone (Mt. Is there drinking water available along the Minaret Lake hike? The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and distributes permits and rents bear-proof canisters. Many buildings were ready, but without the residents, they were empty. You can reserve permits ahead of time online here, or try to get a last minute walk in permit as early as the day before at any of the ranger stations listed on their site here. (760)924-5500. . You will have to pay a $10 day pass fee if you drive yourself (unless you have a National Parks pass). Weather forecast for the Sierra Nevada region. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. Whitney, North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, and Trail Crest Exit). Devil's Postpile Ranger Station. If you are like us and hate crowds, we recommend doing this hike in the fall just before the Reds Meadow Road closes for the season. 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. 3) You will then be taken to a long list of trailheads showing their availability and quotas. Your write up motivates me to go back in fall. Moderate to strenuous. Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. 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. Reds Meadow campground is also an awesome option, if youre lucky enough to actually score a spot. Recreation.gov! The trail never gets too steep but does climb for most of the hike to the lake. Spent two beautiful nights camping on Minaret Lake, this recording is the hike back to the overnight trailhead. LockA locked padlock You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. Try this 14.9-mile out-and-back trail near June Lake, California. | shedreamsofalpine.com, How to Get a Mt. 4) If you find an available date that works for you, click on the date, then Book Now.. The craggy Minarets surround the region. | 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. 6) Finally, youll check out and pay for your Minaret Lake permit. Distance: 21 miles (hiking as a loop) Elevation Gain: 3,300. Minaret Lake should be on every backpacker's list. Complete your camp locations and verify final group size before you print permit. Permits are available on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online reservation system. Hey, I did a three day Agnew meadows-thousand island lake via the pct and then looped back to agnew meadows with a stop at Minaret Lake off the JMT. Hike Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking, Permit:None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking. Nydiver lakes over Whitebark Pass to Garnet then cross country to Thousand Island Lake. To purchase more detailed maps or guidebooks of the area, visit sierraforever.org. | 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. Trails with zero space in winter are affected by road closure. Alerts and Closures for Inyo National Forest. Most of it was gorgeous but some of that JMT section honestly sucked, although the Minaret Lake day made up for it! How to Get to the Minaret Lake Trailhead Driving and parking recommendations. Please help protect this natural resource and leave it unmarked for future visitors. The views open up for a bit just after four miles, and you can begin to see the minaret spires in the distance. On an overnight trip, it would definitely be worth it to try again. How many miles, elevation gain, & more. Parking: Backpacker parking is at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. This means that for reservations in the summer months (July through October), you will be able to make reservations from January to April. Hike Type: Overnight. Minaret Lake Hike Map & GPX Files - I've created a map detailing the entire trail that you can explore, including a look at the elevation gain/profile of the hike. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. Outdoorsy women are badass. This is a place for fellow hikers and backpackers in Southern California to organize meet ups, post gear 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. After pitching our tent, we headed down to the shore to pump some water and take an afternoon dip. To be completely honest, getting to the Minaret Lake trailhead can be a bit of a hassle. Crossing Minaret Creek Due to the high snow fall year and late melt, mosquitos were out in full force even in August. | 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. A total of P10.2 billion was released for the rehabilitation through the years. No rain checks or credits. 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 everything I pack for a weekend backpacking trip. Sitting directly below the summit of the towering 12,900ft. In other words, do the 3 passes have sections like that, or are they all trail? Starting at 7,562 ft, we headed south from the parking lot onto the JMT, crossed a bridge over the Middle Fork San Joaquin River, and then headed north through the trees. The plan was to head to Thousand Island Lake on the first night, Ediza Lake on the second, and Minaret Lake for the third and final night. An official website of the Its important that you research your weather conditions before you go, weeks and days before your trip. Your email address will not be published. connected to the .gov website. In the summer, it would be splendid to go swimming here, but with the cold temperatures dipping my feet in would have to do. 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. Most people hiking to Minaret Lake will need to take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to access the trailhead. best gifts for rv owners, gifts for rv owners, Gift Guide, gift ideas for rv owners, gift ideas for rv campers, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking Related, Outdoor All, gifts for outdoorsy men, outdoorsy gifts for him, gifts for outdoorsmen, outdoor gifts for men, christmas gifts for outdoorsman, popular California hiking & camping permits. Share sensitive information only We provide tools and tips to discover 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. The cover photo for this post is from me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best friend to this area. 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. 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. 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. 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! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Now youre ready to hit the trail and have a fantastic adventure hiking to Minaret Lake! and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. Its a good idea to take a GPS map to navigate so you dont get off course. Just outside of town, there is plenty of BLM land and National Forest Service land, both of which allow free dispersed camping. 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. 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. 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