You can filter further by typing in Minaret Lake or AA11 into the filter search box. So worth the early wake-up call though. 351 Pacu Lane Take in the view while you are on the bridge. I have done other rougher routes and wonder if any of the 3 passes are anything like MR, Whitney-Russell pass, Shadow of Minarets: Minaret-Cecile-Iceberg-Whitebark Pass-Garnet Pass to Thousand Is, Banner Peak itself (west glacier), Lamarck col . Sunset . Its about protecting what sustains us. | 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. Load this puppy into your trusted GPS and rest easy knowing you have tracks to follow on your next hike or backpacking trip. We stopped for a snack here and a listened to the rush of water over the rocks as we rested. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This is a place for fellow hikers and backpackers in Southern California to organize meet ups, post gear Minaret Lake Situated at 9,793 feet in the Ritter Range, Minaret Lake is a stunning alpine lake with Michael Minaret as the backdrop. 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 Makes me want to slide down the entire thing, much faster than hiking back down the switchbacks! But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. Water must be treated before consumption and can be collected from various streams and lakes. Click below to be the first to know when my one-of-a-kind backpacking program re-opens again for enrollment! You can download the GPX files from the Minaret Lake trail map below. Come to experience nature and let it refresh your spirit. If you want to instead start in the Lakes Basin, you will need a permit for Horseshoe Lake Ranger Guided Programs These common but avoidable mistakes are an essential part of your backpacking 101 foundation, so to speak. Mammoth Lakes offers many camping options, from developed campgrounds to dispersed camping. 10001 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 800.MAMMOTH (800.626.6684) Please Leave No Trace. If you are looking for additional California hiking adventures, check out our resources below: Hiking Death Valley's Tallest Peak, Telescope Peak. 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. You can plan this trip as one or two nights, depending on the time you have to spend in this amazing alpine setting. There are permit here too and these tend to range from 15 to 25lb, although in favourable conditions there's a chance of a fish weighing 30lb or more. The Shadow Lake Trail is easily the more scenic of the two approaches and highly recommended. 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. Twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit to be exact. Required fields are marked *. We took our time enjoying the morning light in the trees, and we even happened upon a doe and a fawn. Hiking to Minaret Lake out & back definitely makes for a long day, but it is doable. If you dont already have an account on the site, you will need to create one in order to apply. Distance: 21 miles (hiking as a loop) Elevation Gain: 3,300. Permits You don't need a permit to hike this is a day hike. 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. To purchase more detailed maps or guidebooks of the area, visit sierraforever.org. Thanks for the feedback, Ranjeet. 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. 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. International flights not included. | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking Mt. Whitney, North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, and Trail Crest Exit). Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. On an overnight trip, it would definitely be worth it to try again. The cover photo for this post is from me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best friend to this area. I thought the altitude gain is closer to 2,300 since the lake is at 9,800ish. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello! If youre looking for a great intro backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, the Minaret Lake trail is it! The guide team at East End Lodge use 16-foot Dolphin Super Skiffs with 85HP Yamaha outboard motors. 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. A slightly longer route (about 8 miles) but with less elevation gain uses the Shadow Lake Trail out of Agnew Meadows. Also be sure to check out these essential hiking resources! Make sure you take some time to enjoy what is sure to be a spectacular Sierra Nevada sunset. Take time to enjoy the views as well as the pristine waters of Minaret Lake while walking along its shores. Although we didn't get glassy lake conditions because of a slight wind in the air,we were treated to smoke-free, crystal clear skies. Collectively, they form an arte and are a prominent feature in the Ansel Adams . Always store your food (and any other scented items) at night in either a bear box or bear canister. 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. There was one stream crossing through this section, and luckily since it was Fall, the water level was low and we easily hopped across Minaret Creek via a few rocks. 1) Go to the Recreation.gov website and search for Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits. 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. From Cecile Lake. Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo National Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley. Via Pacific Crest Trail>Shadow Creek Trail (overlap . Backpacking Permits Required: Yes. We watched the final light rays radiating up from behind the mountains glow from yellow to orange before the sky darkened and blue hour set in. Fly Fish Guanaja began fishing around the Bay Islands of Honduras 17 years ago. Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit. 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. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. 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. Being novice backpackers, we made a poor selection for our campsite. Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. website belongs to an official government organization in the 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. Day 1 - Agnew Meadows to Rosalie Lake (12 miles), Day 2 - Rosalie Lake to Minaret Lake (7 miles), Day 3 - Minaret Lake to Agnew Meadows (11.4 miles). There is no better scenery in the Sierra. Wilderness permit required year round for overnight trips. A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation. You will apply for your Inyo Wilderness permit through Recreation.gov. The primary bedroom has a TV, an en suite bathroom, and slider and windows that look out onto a lush . 2 Bedrooms; 2 Bathrooms; 8 Guests; The Home. After pitching our tent, we headed down to the shore to pump some water and take an afternoon dip. 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. Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of Leave No Trace and review wilderness rules with all members of your group.. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Turn right at the junction, follow the sign for Minaret Falls and cross a bridge. Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. 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. Nydiver lakes over Whitebark Pass to Garnet then cross country to Thousand Island Lake. Close Dispose of trash in bear resistant trash cans., Visitors to the Mt. Join the Backpacking Badass Program Waitlist. and reservations. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Your furry friend can join you on this trail (just be prepared to navigate a possible stream crossing). 2h 40m Easy 4.6 (412) The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and distributes permits and rents bear-proof canisters. Call Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center for more information. Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock This permit does not include Beck Lake, Fern Lake or northbound of Johnston Meadow on the John Muir Trail. There were too many peaks to count, and I can see why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot. Devils post pile up Minaret Creek trail to Minaret Lake. Official websites use .gov A .gov There is a water spigot and bathrooms near the Ranger Station here. This allowed us to drive down to the trailhead, and enjoy the trek with very few other hikers. 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. connected to the .gov website. 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. 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. 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. In this post, we will cover the following topics to help you plan and prepare for your very own successful Minaret Lakes backpacking adventure: Minaret Lake Trail Stats - All the nitty gritty details for the trail in one spot. . Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. Day two. It details all the key milestones of the hike including the trailhead start, summit, and more. Contact me here and say hi :). Doable in a short weekend backpacking trip, the jagged peaks of the Minarets are some of the most dramatic scenes in the Sierra. Manage Settings After reuniting back by the lake shore, it was time to race the sun and head back to the car. Anywho, my permit via recreation.gov was for the Inyo National Forest on the High . Single room and boat options available. At the 2.28 mile mark, Brian and I arrived at Johnston Lake. If you have time, take a quick stop at Minaret Vista to gaze at your hiking goal for the day. For email, allow time for response during business hours. Trips sponsored by organizations or commercial groups must contact the wilderness permit office, a special use permit may be needed. After 0.75 miles, we passed the North/South junction for the PCT. At 1.6 miles veer right toward Johnston Lake. 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. Minaret Lake. on official, secure websites. BUS SHUTTLE INFORMATION: https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm. 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