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. If you would like more information about Fly Fish Guanaja Lodge please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44 (0)1980 847 389. Permits are required for overnight camping and backpacking trips and can be obtained at www.recreation.gov. Fromthe Devils Postpile Visitor Center (shuttle stop #6) it is less than a mile to the bridge across the river and several trail junctions. After several series of switchbacks, coupled with a few false promises of arrival, youll get to the lake shore at mile 7.4. for the process. This one week road trip heads through several prime landmarks in Norcal and Oregon. Knowledge is power my friend, and I'm a girl who loves data. If you see "W" on the reservation page it means the quota for 6 month advance is fully booked. Devil's Postpile Ranger Station. Also, you will need to mark if this is a guided trip or not. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. In this post I've created a comprehensive hiking packing list for essential hiking gear. 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! It would be a shame to come so far and only see one part of the basin. Our only significant water crossing of the trip came at Minaret Creek shortly after exiting Devils Postpile. Everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logisitcal Center page. Minaret Lake Situated at 9,793 feet in the Ritter Range, Minaret Lake is a stunning alpine lake with Michael Minaret as the backdrop. 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. The primary bedroom has a TV, an en suite bathroom, and slider and windows that look out onto a lush . Difficulty Level: Strenuous. 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. But be sure to get up early to try to make it to the trailhead before 9am to grab parking. 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. All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. Food Storage: There is 1, two-sided bear box located at each trailhead (High Trail/Shadow Lake Trail). Then I went back to bed! 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. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. We found a nice, well-protected campsite on the southeast shore of the lake that still had views of the tops of the mountains. 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. The Minaret Lake hike begins in the Devils Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California. 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. Always keep your distance if you see a bear. Minaret Vista. Out of all the places I've backpacked in the Eastern Sierra, the Minarets have to be the most jagged and dramatic section of mountain range in the Sierra. 1 / 6. The trail starts 0.25 miles from the Devil's Postpile Ranger station. Nice pics and description. Here are some of my favorite snacks, breakfasts, lunch, and dinner meal ideas for your next backcountry trip, Outdoor gear is not cheap, so here are a couple of tips Ive found that have helped me save a little on gear. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. Outdoorsy women are badass. Whitney Permit: Understanding the Permit & Lottery Process for Day Hiking and Backpacking the Whitney Area | Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, which makes it a very popular peak to hike and climb. We recommend frequently checking the website before arrival as operating hours vary due to weather. Share sensitive information only Banner Peak, Thousand Island Lake can be reached in a single day's hike via three different trails, each with a completely different adventurous look & feel. Yes, there are creeks and lakes you can filter water from. Groups cannot be larger than 15 people (includes day use). This allowed us to drive down to the trailhead, and enjoy the trek with very few other hikers. Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. You will apply for your Inyo Wilderness permit through Recreation.gov. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. 2h 40m Easy 4.6 (412) Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles. 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! No rain checks or credits. All Locations > California > High Sierra > 04 - Ritter & M > Clyde Minaret. Shuttle stop #1 is Agnew Meadows. 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 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. Places to explore include the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Golden Trout, Hoover, and South Sierra wildernesses. 48.3k members in the socalhiking community. Flush toilet at shuttle stop. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? This is something I teach in my backpacking program, but I want to give you a couple GPS options to get started. 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. For Sale: 2 beds, 2 baths 925 sq. Youll get to experience a gorgeous sunrise and stunning sunset in the Sierra Nevada, and that alone might make it worth it. 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. Find trips. Hike Type: Overnight Difficulty Level: Difficult Food Storage: There are two bear boxes at the Agnew Meadows trailhead. Heres what you need to know to get your permit: The Inyo Wilderness permits for most trails including Minaret Lake can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. And definitely dont leave food in your car at the trailhead use a bear locker for anything you dont bring with you on the trail. Trash, bathrooms, picnic tables, and bear boxes. At 1.6 miles veer right toward Johnston Lake. Toughest thing I have done. It was much larger than we imagined, and of course the craggy spires that surround the sapphire blue waters are breathtaking. As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. Hiking poles could definitely come in handy here to maintain your balance in the water on slippery rocks. This entire time we hadn't had a single glimpse of the Minarets that we would be camping beneath. "Run the Silk Road" Marathon Tour; Tien Shan Trail Race marathon "Tien Shan Trail Race" marathon-tour; Trekking Follow the trail to around 1.5 miles, where the trail veers away from Horsethief Creek and approaches Pine Valley Creek. Fees cannot be transferred to other dates or trails. After 0.75 miles, we passed the North/South junction for the PCT. Sunset . A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation. *Please note that some of the below links and in this post are affiliate links. First established in 1964 as the Minarets Wilderness, the Ansel Adams Wilderness lies immediately southeast of--and contiguous to--Yosemite National Park. Right in the town of Mammoth are Camp High Sierra, New Shady Rest Campground, and Old Shady Rest Campground, which offer paid sites with amenities including bathrooms and bear boxes. The shuttle generally runs from mid-June to sometime in September. 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. How difficult is hiking Minaret Lake? Its about protecting what sustains us. 2) Click the Explore Available Permits button. Sitting directly below the summit of the towering 12,900ft. Do not rely on cell phone for communication or navigation, most of the forest has no cell service. Also, you dont have to worry about getting a wilderness permit if you day hike. 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. This is a good choice if you dont have a lot of time in the area or if youre looking for a challenging day for training. Required fields are marked *. Dont ever risk getting lost, and dont rely on other people for your safety outdoors. 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! This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. 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. 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. We didnt because it would have been an extra mile or so tacked-on to an already long hike, and our research showed us that it was just a small cascade. A per person recreation fee is charged for your group when reserving a wilderness permit for entry on Inyo National Forest trails. Put on your pack and hit the trail. Get a permit to backpack Minaret Lake in Inyo National Forest. Starting Elevation: 7,909 ft. If you want to instead start in the Lakes Basin, you will need a permit for Horseshoe Lake Ranger Guided Programs Visitorsto the Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus. 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. The big-ticket infrastructure projects could be seen past the rows of derelict homes, where modern public infrastructure was built by the banks of scenic Lake Lanao. planning and preparing for a wilderness trip (PDF), rules for specific areas where food storage containers are required, 60% of spaces are released 6 months in advance, on the matching date (example entry date of July 4 opens on January 4), 40% of spaces are released 2 weeks in advance, on the same day of the week (example entry date of Tuesday July 4 opens on Tuesday June 20), Signed permit must be in group leaders possession, Everyone in group must start on entry date & location on permit, You cannot exceed group size stated on permit, Groups cannot combine to exceed 15 people, Permit is only valid for one continuous wilderness trip, For trips ending at Mt Whitney (Whitney Portal) the permit must specify exit point of, Print trip informatin to leave with a friend (recomended). | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking Mt. on official, secure websites. Trips beginning on Inyo National Forest may continue into the wilderness areas of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks., As you plan your trip, remember that we must take care of this amazing place. You can stop for water or to use the bathroom at the ranger center, then begin your hike right from there. 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. Do not leave food unattended., In campgrounds and parking areas with bear proof lockers, all food and scented items must be removed from vehicles and secured in the lockers. 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. Via Pacific Crest Trail>Shadow Creek Trail (overlap . The temperature is usually perfect, plus there are far fewer mosquitos. This means that for reservations in the summer months (July through October), you will be able to make reservations from January to April. Inyo National Forest Wilderness Food Storage Requirements, Inyo National Forest Although the scenery so far has been pretty typical of a high elevation Sierra forest - dried pine needles and lots of boulders, the portions near the creek were surprisingly lush. When to Hike Minaret Lake The best time to hike Minaret Lake and typical weather to expect on your trip. Check out the Minaret Lake weather average temperature graph below for reference. A permit is required year-round for overnight trips into John Muir, Ansel Adams, Dinkey Lakes and Kaiser Wildernesses, and Inyo National Forest, as well Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. 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.. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. Other species in the East End area include barracuda, snapper and jacks. | 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. Backpacking Permits Required: Yes. Map Information Activities Beginning on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the loop follows the Middle Fork San Joaquin River for approximately 5.7 miles. Distance: ~6.4 miles. The lake was quite marshy, but there were some nice spots in the shade to relax and watch the dragonflies flying low across the meadows. It takes approximately 8 hours to do this as a day hike. 'We thought catching permit on a fly might just be possible, but they outwitted us totally that first year,' says Steve Brown who owns the fishing operation. BUS SHUTTLE INFORMATION: https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/reds-meadow-and-devils-postpile-shuttle-information.htm. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 45 min to complete. 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. It wasn't until we turned a bend late in afternoon that we finally saw the tips of the jagged peaks in the distance above the nearby trees. 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