Shuttle stop #6 is Devils Postpile Visitor Center. Whitney Trail Guide: How to Successfully Summit the Highest Peak in the Lower 48 | This Mount Whitney Trail Guide is your A to Z resource on any and all things involving the Mount Whitney Hike. Be prepared before you go. Southeast Face 5.8+ YDS 5b French 16 Ewbanks VI- UIAA 15 ZA HVS 4c British Avg: 3.7 from 77 votes . Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit.. 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. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. 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. The first water source is about 1.5 miles in and the trail is pretty exposed until then so bring lots of water and possibly a filter. The trail now mostly follows the Minaret Creek, and we spotted lots of fish in the clear waters darting away in front of us. 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. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, But specialists are aware that the field is not easy to document, should they wish to go beyond the usual material provided by architectural journals in European languages. From the Town of Mammoth, take Minaret Road to the entrance of Devils Postpile National Monument. The mandatory shuttle helps with congestion on the windy roads and runs from about mid June to early September. Being novice backpackers, we made a poor selection for our campsite. How to Get a Minaret Lake Permit - The step-by-step process to get the required Minaret Lake permit for backpacking. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Map Information Activities A $15.00 per person recreation fee is charged for trips entering the Whitney Zone (Mt. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. It covers both the Southbound Yosemite Wilderness Permits & JMT lottery and the Northbound Inyo Wilderness Permits process inside of this guide. 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. Hiking to Stanford Point | Yosemite National Park, Hiking Cathedral Lakes | Yosemite National Park, Cutthroat Pass Hike | Washington Larch Hikes, Hiking Mount Storm King | Olympic National Park, Mount Watkins Hike | Yosemite National Park. Official websites use .gov A .gov Here are some of my favorite day hikes among the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona that are short enough to squeeze in on any trip to the area! Call Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center for more information. Click below to be the first to know when my one-of-a-kind backpacking program re-opens again for enrollment! Some cross country sections along unmaintained trails that may be difficult to see and not marked well. 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! Check weather and road closures before choosing a trip in winter or spring. Put on your pack and hit the trail. Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. No camping at Shadow Lake or along Shadow Creek between Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake. ha! By their own admission things didn't start well. Doable in a short weekend backpacking trip, the jagged peaks of the Minarets are some of the most dramatic scenes in the Sierra. The JMT continues up through the forest along Minaret Creek. Come prepared to find your way. 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. The recreation fees are used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Day 1: Car at Agnew Meadows Road to Ediza Lake (Shadow Creek). Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 45 min to complete. Flush toilet at shuttle stop. Everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logisitcal Center page. >> Find out more about popular California hiking & camping permits here. Backpacking to Minaret Lake lets you savor the beauty of the area. It is a very fine peak made from, not granite, but a more ancient metamorphic rock, which gives it its characteristic, almost non-Sierra-like shape of a sharp needle (as seen from the ski slopes of Mammoth). You should also set up your camp in a spot where people have clearly camped before, in order to minimize environmental impact. Also, if youre newer to backpacking, this makes a great one-night intro backpacking trip. Several of our trails give entry to the John Muir Trail or Pacific Crest Trail with the opportunity to trek in the longest roadless section of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. 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. 3) You will then be taken to a long list of trailheads showing their availability and quotas. Required fields are marked *. To finalize your permit reservations, youll need to pay a $6 permit fee plus an additional $5 non-refundable per person transaction fee. United States government. This one week road trip heads through several prime landmarks in Norcal and Oregon. 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. Then onto the destination of today - Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Earlier or later in the season (June or October), you could potentially encounter snow, which would definitely make the trail more of a challenge and potentially be dangerous. Search & Rescue Mountain Safety Message., Be alert when arriving at night in areas with bear activity. 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. Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. Whitney Zone Off the JMT Coldwater Canyon Blayney Hot Springs area How many miles, elevation gain, & more. I created the Ultimate Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for you (and it's FREE)! | 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. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. LockA locked padlock Whitney to backpacking Mt Whitney, youll find everything you need to successfully summit and tackle one of the tallest peaks in the United States. 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. Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. Minaret Lake features gorgeous views everywhere you turn. As always, all opinions are my own. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello! Bundled up in our puffy, down jackets, the two of us headed south on the John Muir Trail (JMT) toward Devils Postpile. 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. Load this puppy into your trusted GPS and rest easy knowing you have tracks to follow on your next hike or backpacking trip. Click here for everything I pack for a weekend backpacking trip. Also, if youre backpacking, set up your camp farther away from water, where wind will help keep some of the mosquitoes away. All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. We recommend frequently checking the website before arrival as operating hours vary due to weather. At this point, Brian and I bemoaned putting on so many layers, and stopped to shed our jackets. We are Brian and Julie, a Bay Area couple making travel work with full-time jobs. Visitorsto the Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus. 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. The Minarets and mountains to the west High Trail goes between shaded areas of pines and exposed areas of sage brush for the next third of a mile to reach the first of three trails that branch off High Trail to ascend to the Clark Lakes. Also, you dont have to worry about getting a wilderness permit if you day hike. Affiliate disclaimer: this article includes some affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. Backpacking Ediza Lake: Hike Details Starting Elevation: 8,100 ft. For email, allow time for response during business hours. | shedreamsofalpine.com. You will have to plan ahead in order to backpack, since an Inyo Wilderness permit is required in order to camp. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. | shedreamsofalpine.com, How to Get a Mt. Many buildings were ready, but without the residents, they were empty. As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. Minaret Lake. 1 / 6. Difficulty Level: Strenuous. July and August are also good options, though it could get pretty hot then, and youll definitely want to bring your bug spray. *Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links. Its not hard to do, but it does require a little planning ahead. When traveling in the backcountry, you may with to carry an SOS beacon and communicator. An official website of the Recreation.gov! Is hiking Minaret Lake dog-friendly? Thousand Island Lake: Hike Details. So worth the early wake-up call though. I'd love to come back for some more technical routes up some of the nearby peaks - the view must be incredible from up there. Later in this season, the water level should be low, and the crossing shouldnt be an issue at all, but early in the season, you will want to be careful making this crossing. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is the most visible remnant of the ancient city Balasagun. Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. Mammoth Lakes, CA. >> JUMP TO SECTION 8 FOR A SUGGESTED MINARET LAKE TRAIL ITINERARY. Hiking to Minaret Lake is not particularly dangerous, as it is not at all technical, but be careful at the stream crossing. Please Leave No Trace. Most people hiking to Minaret Lake will need to take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to access the trailhead. The lack of permits hinders access . How to Get a Minaret Lake Permit The step-by-step process to get the required Minaret Lake permit for backpacking. . To the north is a meadow, to the south, you can see the distinctive basalt columns formed millions of years ago. Your email address will not be published. Close Via Pacific Crest Trail>Shadow Creek Trail (overlap . Sunset . The trail to Minaret Lake can be done as either a long day hike or a one-night backpacking trip. 10001 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 800.MAMMOTH (800.626.6684) Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles. This backpacking 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! While the summer months of July and August make for great trail conditions, they also are the months when you will find the most mosquitoes. Always keep your distance if you see a bear. The Trail Code youll be applying for is Minaret Lake - AA11. Travel lightly on the land. . This means that for reservations in the summer months (July through October), you will be able to make reservations from January to April. Elevation Gain: ~1,388ft. | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking 101 - The Essential Hiking Gear List (PLUS Hiking Packing List Printable) | Hiking doesnt need to be overwhelming, but I am a big fan of being prepared for the worst case scenario. If there are permits available, they will show up as a number, otherwise they usually show W which means walk-in only. 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. Mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the north is a Meadow, to tallest! The outdoors and each other soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian I... Suggested Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to Minaret Lake permit for backpacking JMT up... Per-Person transportation fee which allows use of the ancient city Balasagun and Julie, Bay... 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