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. LockA locked padlock Check for open hours before you go to the visitor center for in person service. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is the most visible remnant of the ancient city Balasagun. Phone: 760-873-2483Email: SM.FS.WildPmt_Inyo@usda.gov. Thank you for supporting the work I do to keep creating meaningful content like this for you! Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. More details on the quota can be found on the National Forest Service site. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. Water from creeks, lakes and springs should be treated before drinking. 2) Click the Explore Available Permits button. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. Distance: 15.6 miles, roundtrip (where you set up camp will vary your mileage slightly) Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft. Although this probably wont cause altitude sickness, it could make the hike much more of a struggle if youre coming from sea level. Doable in a short weekend backpacking trip, the jagged peaks of the Minarets are some of the most dramatic scenes in the Sierra. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. No refund of reservation fee.. 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). Is hiking Minaret Lake dog-friendly? Above Minaret Falls near Johnston Meadow the Minaret Lake trail seperates from the John Muir trail to followMinaret Creek. We recommend frequently checking the website before arrival as operating hours vary due to weather. Twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit to be exact. The Minaret Lake trail is fairly easy to follow, but there are a few trail junctions along the way. 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. An official website of the Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. A per person recreation fee is charged for your group when reserving a wilderness permit for entry on Inyo National Forest trails. Activities Fishing Hiking Take time to enjoy the views as well as the pristine waters of Minaret Lake while walking along its shores. This scenic overlook offers a panorama of the famous Minarets, the backside of Mammoth Mountain and the far-reaching Sierra landscape. The lack of permits hinders access . 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. Refer to this list each time you hike and you will be prepared for almost anything! How many miles, elevation gain, & more. Use this JMT permit guide to demystify the whole lottery application process and increase your chances of grabbing a JMT permit. Its a good idea to take a GPS map to navigate so you dont get off course. 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. . Recreation Map Map showing recreational areas. Bury human waste away from water sources. If you see "W" on the reservation page it means the quota for 6 month advance is fully booked. Be prepared before you go. Also be sure to check out these essential hiking resources! Also, you dont have to worry about getting a wilderness permit if you day hike. How to Get to the Minaret Lake Trailhead Driving and parking recommendations. Hike Type: Overnight Difficulty Level: Difficult Food Storage: There are two bear boxes at the Agnew Meadows trailhead. 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. When you arrive at the alpine lake, you can scope out the best site to set up camp and spend your day relaxing at the lake. 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. The trail eventually leads to Minaret Lake, situated at the base of the Minarets, a group of jagged peaks within the Ritter Mountain Range (a subrange of the Sierra Nevada). 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 Minaret Lakes Loop is a 30.4-mile loop trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. There were too many peaks to count, and I can see why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot. The recreation fees are used to finance the on-the-ground wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest. 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. From the Main St/Minaret Road (CA-203) intersection in Mammoth Lakes, follow the Minaret Road northwest for ~4.1 miles to the Mammoth Mountain Village. As always, all opinions are my own. We took a short footpath to the lake shore and while the lake was not especially scenic, we enjoyed photographing some reflections before hitting the trail again. Check weather and road closures before choosing a trip in winter or spring. You can download the GPX files from the Minaret Lake trail map below. Familiarize yourself with the seven principles of Leave No Trace and review wilderness rules with all members of your group.. Rangers ask that you dont bring bear spray with you in this area. You'll hike along the Minaret Creek past meadows, an enormous waterfall, and eventually you'll see the entire range of the Minarets above you. Single room and boat options available. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. You can scroll through a list of dates to see other availability if your original start date isnt available. All rights reserved. Here Ill walk you through a suggested itinerary for backpacking the Minaret Lake trail, so you can make your plans accordingly. 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. If you are looking for additional California hiking adventures, check out our resources below: Hiking Death Valley's Tallest Peak, Telescope Peak. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. If youre looking for specific information, feel free to skip ahead to the section youre looking for! Its about more than standing on the mountain top. 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. 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! Post includes free gear list printable for easy reference. Just be smart, make noise while you hike, and youll likely avoid a bear encounter. Apparently the log bridge washed away a few years ago. 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 Code youll be applying for is Minaret Lake - AA11. If you choose to backpack to Minaret Lake, you will need to get an Inyo National Forest Wilderness permit in order to camp overnight. One week before the trip you can print at home or request the permit. Follow signs for the JMT and trek north through lush meadows and pine forests. Highway 203. How many miles, elevation gain, & more. If youre anything like me, the first thing you want to know about a trail is the important stats and information, so you can quickly figure out what this hike is all about. 48.3k members in the socalhiking community. This destination we so extraordinary though that I am already planning a trip back next summer! Lifeline Trail Light Day Hiker First Aid Kit. 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. 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 consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Download maps, and emergency information before starting on the trail., Plan to be self-sufficient, bring adequate supplies of food, water and clothing., Do not leave food or refuse in your car or tent. Also, you will need to mark if this is a guided trip or not. 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. Minaret Vista is the highest lookout point in the Mammoth Lakes area that motorists can drive to during summer months. Day three. 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. Manage Settings Hiking poles could definitely come in handy here to maintain your balance in the water on slippery rocks. 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). Contact the wilderness permit office if you have questions or need to reissue a permit with corrections. 2023 Availability. No rain checks or credits. Complete your camp locations and verify final group size before you print permit. 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. Whitney to backpacking Mt Whitney, youll find everything you need to successfully summit and tackle one of the tallest peaks in the United States. | shedreamsofalpine.com, Hiking Mt. Via Pacific Crest Trail>Shadow Creek Trail (overlap . Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit.. This trail gains roughly 2,437ft of elevation and is rated as a hard trail with lots of foot traffic. 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