The recreation fees are used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest. Day three. | 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. In the morning, get energized with strong coffee and yummy breakfast burritos at Stellar Brew. Backpacking to Minaret Lake lets you savor the beauty of the area. If youre looking for specific information, feel free to skip ahead to the section youre looking for! This starter kit is filled with 14 pages of my best hiking and backpacking tips to help you learn what it takes to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient outdoor backpacker! Although this probably wont cause altitude sickness, it could make the hike much more of a struggle if youre coming from sea level. The Minaret Lake hike begins in the Devils Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California. 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). Minaret Lake features gorgeous views everywhere you turn. 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, if youre backpacking, set up your camp farther away from water, where wind will help keep some of the mosquitoes away. International flights not included. 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. 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. The view of the lake from above is specially stunning, i didnt have the energy or the time (to make the last shuttle) to explore towards lake Cecile, which is the base of the climb up clyde minaret next time! Your write up motivates me to go back in fall. A slightly longer route (about 8 miles) but with less elevation gain uses the Shadow Lake Trail out of Agnew Meadows. A bucket list hike for every outdoor lover! This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. I am already daydreaming about photographing the morning alpenglow on the spires, and I know Brian is anxious to get to Cecil Lake. Once you select your filters, youll be shown a list of available permits. Ive written down all the essentials here for you so that youll never forget anything vital. Backpacking Permits Required: Yes. If you are arriving between 7a and 7p,. 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. Youll find plenty of places to stake your tent, but be aware of Leave No Trace rules, and camp at least 200 feet from the water. 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. The mandatory shuttle helps with congestion on the windy roads and runs from about mid June to early September. If youre backpacking or starting later in the day, you must use the shuttle service instead. We provide tools and tips to discover Mammoth Lakes, CA. You will apply for your Inyo Wilderness permit through Recreation.gov. ha! Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) John Muir Trail Shadow Creek Trail Minaret Creek Trail PCT/JMT. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. 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 This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. Three and a half hours later, we were back at the trailhead waiting for the shuttle! Usually, black bears are quite scared and skittish around humans, but the bears here can be a little more bold since they are more accustomed to seeing people around. If you see "W" on the reservation page it means the quota for 6 month advance is fully booked. How dangerous is hiking Minaret Lake? Directions: Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is the most visible remnant of the ancient city Balasagun. Is there drinking water available along the Minaret Lake hike? You will find free parking in the lots near the Mammoth Lodge. Close Minaret Lake Hike | Words By Julie Boyd |Photos by Julie Boyd and Brian Callender. This entire time we hadn't had a single glimpse of the Minarets that we would be camping beneath. Finally we started seeing pools of water, and eventually we arrived on the shore of gorgeous Minaret Lake! 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. 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. 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. Never leave any crucial items behind before you head out on a backpacking trip! Important Minaret Lake Safety Tips Tips about the top hazards to expect along the Minaret Lake trail. Permit, GTs and sharks leave until the next cycle of springs fills the lagoon once again, enjoying a rare moment of peace the bonefish stay. 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. Collectively, they form an arte and are a prominent feature in the Ansel Adams . The 7-mile hike to base camp is mostly uphill and follows Minaret Creek. If you are looking for additional California hiking adventures, check out our resources below: Hiking Death Valley's Tallest Peak, Telescope Peak. And if youve done this hike before, share your experience in the comments!. Shuttle stop #1 is Agnew Meadows. Whitney, North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, and Trail Crest Exit). There were too many peaks to count, and I can see why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot. This path continues winding through the forest, but some of the scenery gets more interesting as Minaret Creek cascades through a shallow, rocky canyon. 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. How to Get a Minaret Lake Permit The step-by-step process to get the required Minaret Lake permit for backpacking. From this point, youll be alternating between forest and rocky landscapes for about three miles. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure, Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California. 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. Click here for all important dates for booking CA backpacking permits. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. Come to experience nature and let it refresh your spirit. 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). Some cross country sections along unmaintained trails that may be difficult to see and not marked well. Whitney to backpacking Mt Whitney, youll find everything you need to successfully summit and tackle one of the tallest peaks in the United States. 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. >> JUMP TO SECTION 8 FOR A SUGGESTED MINARET LAKE TRAIL ITINERARY. Also, you dont have to worry about getting a wilderness permit if you day hike. You will have to pay a $10 day pass fee if you drive yourself (unless you have a National Parks pass). Walk-in permits are free of charge. Trash, bathrooms, picnic tables, and bear boxes. Common Destinations:Johnston Meadow, Minaret Creek, Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail names. The Minarets are a series of jagged peaks located in the Ritter Range, a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada mountains. More details on the quota can be found on the National Forest Service site. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, 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. Try this 14.9-mile out-and-back trail near June Lake, California. Dont ever risk getting lost, and dont rely on other people for your safety outdoors. 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. Map showing recreational areas. Put on your pack and hit the trail. Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo National Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley. 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