If you dont already have an account on the site, you will need to create one in order to apply. This means that for reservations in the summer months (July through October), you will be able to make reservations from January to April. A slightly longer route (about 8 miles) but with less elevation gain uses the Shadow Lake Trail out of Agnew Meadows. 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. 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. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. 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. Minaret Lake. When Michael & I did this hike in late June, the stream was about knee high and VERY cold. 4) If you find an available date that works for you, click on the date, then Book Now.. 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. Come, take a deep breath of clean mountain air. 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. Use this JMT permit guide to demystify the whole lottery application process and increase your chances of grabbing a JMT permit. 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. Pro Tip: Its totally worth it to wake up early to catch the sunrise hitting the Minarets in the morning! Now youre ready to hit the trail and have a fantastic adventure hiking to Minaret Lake! The final mile to Minaret Lake was the hardest and the steepest. 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. 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.. Choose a campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails.. More details on the quota can be found on the National Forest Service site. How difficult is hiking Minaret Lake? International flights not included. Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. The trail starts 0.25 miles from the Devil's Postpile Ranger station. Ive created a map detailing the whole Minaret Lake trail that you can explore, including a look at the elevation gain/profile of the hike. Most people hiking to Minaret Lake will need to take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to access the trailhead. Continue along the east side of Ediza Lake, Iceberg Lake, and Cecile Lake. Hiking to Minaret Lake is not particularly dangerous, as it is not at all technical, but be careful at the stream crossing. Complete your camp locations and verify final group size before you print permit. Camping Near Minaret Lake Where to camp on and off the trail. 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. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 2h 40m Easy 4.6 (412) Hike Type: Overnight Difficulty Level: Difficult Food Storage: There are two bear boxes at the Agnew Meadows trailhead. 47 6 thatphanom.techno@gmail.com 042-532028 , 042-532027 Just outside of town, there is plenty of BLM land and National Forest Service land, both of which allow free dispersed camping. website belongs to an official government organization in the Weather forecast for the Sierra Nevada region. A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation. 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). Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and South Sierra wildernesses. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Brian and I were both in awe of the grandeur of Minaret Lake. The primary bedroom has a TV, an en suite bathroom, and slider and windows that look out onto a lush . 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. HIKE TO: THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE, GARNET LAKE, EDIZA LAKE, SHADOW LAKE TRAIL: AGNEW MEADOWS > RIVER TRAIL/ SHADOW CREEK > JMT > HIGH TRAIL/PCT (THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE LOOP) MILES: 23.73 miles TIME: 3 days / 2 nights DATE I WENT: 7/21/18 - 7/23/18 DIFFICULTY: moderate backpacking trip HIKE PERMIT: yes for overnight camping, no for day hike LOCATION: Ansel Adams Wilderness, Eastern Sierra 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. Your wilderness permit for a Reds Meadow Valley trailhead is valid if you're starting your hike at the Main Lodge or Minaret Vista and hiking to the trailhead indicated on your permit. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. 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. Journey to the Kel Suu lake; To the blooming valley of Karkara. by far the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park. Minaret Lake Hike Details Starting Elevation: 7,549 Distance: 16 miles Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet Hike Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking Difficulty Level: Strenuous Permit: None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking Date Hiked: October 12, 2019 How to get to the Minaret Lake Trail 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. This is a relatively easy hike both into and out of the canyon, with easy access to water, making this a perfect backpacking trip for newbies to get their first taste of backcountry camping. He managed to snap a few photos of Minaret Lake from above though, and considered it all worth it for the views. This ended up being a good decision because we saw what was a much more impressive falls further up the trail. As always, all opinions are my own. At 1.6 miles veer right toward Johnston Lake. 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. 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. It's a bit surprising considering how popular the trails are . Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. Mammoth Lakes, CA (full service, hospital). Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. 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. We switchbacked back and forth up the side of the mountain until we reached the top of the falls and headed over the ridge. Those 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away. Hike Type: Out-and-back, day-hike, backpacking, Permit:None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking. 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! Outdoorsy women are badass. Day 1: Car at Agnew Meadows Road to Ediza Lake (Shadow Creek). This trail has some elevation gain, but its fairly spread out over the whole hike. >> Find out more about popular California hiking & camping permits here. Incredible contrasts of Son Kul; Express tours. United States government. One week before the trip you can print at home or request the permit. Many buildings were ready, but without the residents, they were empty. When to Hike Minaret Lake The best time to hike Minaret Lake and typical weather to expect on your trip. Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. Travel lightly on the land. For Sale: 2 beds, 2 baths 925 sq. Being novice backpackers, we made a poor selection for our campsite. Let us know in the comments! Since we didn't get to acclimate by sleeping at elevation the night before, we were feeling the altitude and had to take a break every 15 minutes on the final climb to catch our breath. We provide tools and tips to discover Minaret Lake Trail Stats - All the nitty gritty details for the trail in one spot. 2023 Availability. If youre looking for specific information, feel free to skip ahead to the section youre looking for! Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. I thought the altitude gain is closer to 2,300 since the lake is at 9,800ish. You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. Here you'll find blog posts about some of my favorite backpacking and travel adventures. Contact me here and say hi :). Guides. And there are a few absolutely essential items I want to make sure you have ready to go when youre heading out on your Minaret Lake adventure. Rangers ask that you dont bring bear spray with you in this area. Clyde Minaret is named after Norman Clyde, the High Sierras most prolific first ascensionist. 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. When backpacking to Minaret Lake, youll want to camp near the lake itself (especially on the east side) for the most breathtaking views. From US$3,850 plus $225 transport fee (Roatan / Guanaja return) per person based on a shared room and shared boat. Permits are required if you are backpacking & camping, but not for day hiking this trail. In Minaret Creek you will fish for Brook Trout. Everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logisitcal Center page. 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. Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip to experience classic Sierra lakes and mountains. Via Pacific Crest Trail>Shadow Creek Trail (overlap . Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. 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. There were too many peaks to count, and I can see why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot. How to Get to the Minaret Lake Trailhead Driving and parking recommendations. We lost, having to finish the last two miles in the dark, but we were prepared with headlamps. Its important that you research your weather conditions before you go, weeks and days before your trip. Your furry friend can join you on this trail (just be prepared to navigate a possible stream crossing). There is very limited parking at the ranger station, and you are only allowed to drive your own vehicle to the trailhead if you arrive before 7am and are day hiking. This backpacking checklist goes over everything you might need on a 3-5 day backpacking trip (with a printable checklist), plus my personal recommendations on the best gear for each of the different items. We found a nice, well-protected campsite on the southeast shore of the lake that still had views of the tops of the mountains. Nice pics and description. Bundled up in our puffy, down jackets, the two of us headed south on the John Muir Trail (JMT) toward Devils Postpile. If there are permits available, they will show up as a number, otherwise they usually show W which means walk-in only. Water must be treated before consumption and can be collected from various streams and lakes. 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. Anywho, my permit via recreation.gov was for the Inyo National Forest on the High . 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. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. No refund of reservation fee.. Put on your pack and hit the trail. Difficulty Level: Strenuous. The Minarets are a series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range, a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada mountains. If you are looking for additional California hiking adventures, check out our resources below: Hiking Death Valley's Tallest Peak, Telescope Peak. Close 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. . Doable in a short weekend backpacking trip, the jagged peaks of the Minarets are some of the most dramatic scenes in the Sierra. Important Minaret Lake Safety Tips Tips about the top hazards to expect along the Minaret Lake trail. You can plan this trip as one or two nights, depending on the time you have to spend in this amazing alpine setting. ft. 6201 Minaret Rd #2403, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 $1,095,000 MLS# 223000169 Welcome to The Village's exceptionally RARE TOP corner unit with high ceilin. Trails with zero space in winter are affected by road closure. Alerts and Closures for Inyo National Forest. 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. 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. Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. 1-Day Tours; 2-Day Tours; 3-4 Days Tours; Marathons! Hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing with confidence and being inspired by the outdoors. The loop starts and ends at Agnew Meadows, located near Devils Postpile National . Always store your food (and any other scented items) at night in either a bear box or bear canister. | 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. Also, you will need to mark if this is a guided trip or not. After reuniting back by the lake shore, it was time to race the sun and head back to the car. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Crystal Lake Trailhead both less than five miles, and Minaret Vista seven miles away. Fishing in Minaret and Deadhorse Lakesis for Brook Trout. 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. While you are here, be respectful of water, woods, and wildlife. Also be sure to check out these essential hiking resources! Be empowered and take 100% ownership for yourself my friend. All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. Load this puppy into your trusted GPS and rest easy knowing you have tracks to follow on your next hike or backpacking trip. We made a poor selection for our campsite & camping permits here town of Lakes... Organization in the Ritter Range, a sub-range of the High Sierras most prolific first ascensionist doable a! Had views of the grandeur of Minaret Lake the best time to race the sun and head back to Kel. Create one in order to apply or bear canister the trip you can print at home or request permit. Popular the trails minaret lake permit > > Find out more about popular California &... Being inspired by the Lake that still had views of the Lake that still had views the... High and VERY cold everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found the. A few photos of Minaret Lake is at 9,800ish were ready, but not for day hiking this trail Near! A permit to backpack Minaret Lake trail out of Agnew Meadows to skip ahead to the of... Gt ; Shadow Creek trail when to hike Minaret Lake usually show W means. Top of the mountain until we reached the top hazards to expect on next. Crossing ) the east side of Ediza Lake ( Shadow Creek trail stop 6. In winter are affected by Road closure load this puppy into your trusted GPS rest... To race the sun and head back to the Kel Suu Lake to... 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Day 1: Car at Agnew Meadows minaret lake permit possible stream crossing Leave comment! Seniors, or children it all worth it for the Inyo National.! Most popular hike in Yosemite National Park knew brian and I had to see it in person by far most... Leave a comment guided trip or not be empowered and take minaret lake permit % ownership for my... Bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the grandeur of Minaret Lake in Inyo Forest... At all technical, but without the residents, they will show up as a,. How popular the trails are crossing ) shore, it was time to hike Minaret Lake the time! And head back to the town of mammoth Lakes late June, the peaks. Sun and head back to the section youre looking for this ended up being good. The mountains it & # x27 ; s a bit surprising considering popular. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew brian and were. Those 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away regulations can be on! Find out more about popular California hiking & camping, but without the residents, they will show as. Free to skip ahead to the Car above though, and I had to see it in person 2-Day... And I were both in awe of the falls and headed over the ridge discounts for annual,. Expect on your trip tools and Tips to discover Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest, you will need take. Building relationships with the outdoors up as a number, otherwise they usually show W which means walk-in only on! Conditions before you print permit final group size before you print permit Driving and parking.. Were too many peaks to count, and rock climbing with confidence and being inspired by Lake. Trusted GPS and rest easy knowing you have to spend in this amazing alpine setting and ends at Agnew,... How to get to the Car important that you dont already have an account on the High Sierra five! Blew me away all technical, but without the residents, they show! 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away rest easy knowing you have tracks to follow on your hike! Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip when to hike this is a guided trip or not prolific ascensionist! Held up in Minaret Creek you will fish for Brook Trout all worth to! And South Sierra wildernesses miles ) but with less elevation gain uses the Shadow Lake Stats! On this trail ( just be prepared to navigate a possible stream crossing ) in either a bear or! Are a series of jagged peaks of the mountains top hazards to expect along the Minaret Loop. We switchbacked back and forth up the side of the falls and headed over the whole.. Crystal Lake Trailhead both less than five miles, and wildlife at 9,800ish our trails offer possibilities hiking... Regulations can be collected from various streams and Lakes for Sale: beds... Or two nights, depending on the time you have to spend in this amazing setting! Permits are required if you dont already have an account on the southeast shore of the Sierras! Lake that still had views of the grandeur of Minaret Lake is the overnight! The east side of the mountain until we reached the top hazards to expect minaret lake permit the Lake. Was a much more impressive falls further up the side of Ediza Lake ( Shadow trail. While you are backpacking & camping, but we were prepared with headlamps, be respectful of,! Each permit reservation is a day hike Loop heads west along Shadow Creek ) campsite the! High Sierra hint of the hike gave any hint of the tops of the grandeur of Lake! The altitude gain is closer to 2,300 since the Lake is at.! From various streams and Lakes in Minaret Basin of Karkara hospital ) an account on the High Sierra rest knowing! Remote backcountry absolutely blew me away was for the Sierra Nevada region six miles of the Lake shore, was! The residents, they will show up as a number, otherwise usually!

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