Ansel Adams Wilderness is located in Mammoth Lakes, California. Non-motorized: $5. Once the permit gets canceled it is available for walk ups. We headed to bed early in normal backcountry fashion, and woke at dawn to catch the sunrise. The trail now mostly follows the Minaret Creek, and we spotted lots of fish in the clear waters darting away in front of us. Only two miles in, we decided to have our Triscuits and tuna lunch (click here for my tried-and-true backpacking meals) on the edge of Johnston Lake, since this would be the only other lake we would pass before reaching Minaret Lake, our final destination. Minaret Creek is a stream located just 6.4 miles from Mammoth Lakes, in Madera County, in the state of California, United States, near Mill City (historical), CA. 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. Once at the top there … But to camp overnight, you'll need to obtain a permit like most spots in the Eastern Sierra. So with permit in hand I was ready to leave from the Devils Postpile trailhead near Mammoth Lakes. The use trail that leads from Minaret Lake up toward Cecile Lake actually climbs the north side of the canyon via some obvious switchbacks at about the midpoint between Minaret Lake and Cecile Lake. Normally hikers are required to take a shuttle to reach Devil’s Postpile between June and September. I recorded to gps tracks on Gaia GPS and both were different so these numbers are not 100% accurate but close. To get to the trailhead: Take Route 395 to Route 203 and drive 3.6 miles to Mammoth Lakes. Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. 1(800) 292-7758. 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. … Price — Desolation Wilderness, CA, Zebra Slot Canyon - Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, UT. Inyo National Forest 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. 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. Day one. Minaret Lake should be on every backpacker's list. From the Devils Postpile Visitor Center (shuttle stop #6) it is less than a mile to the junction with the John Muir Trail. I've been wanting to visit Minaret Lake for so long now, and I love that I was able to squeeze in a weekend trip from the Bay Area. Location to obtain permit: Ansel Adams Wilderness-North Trailheads North of Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River: Minarets/Mariposa Ranger District 57003 Road 225 North Fork, CA 93643-9734 (559) 877-2218 : Ansel Adams Wilderness-South Trailheads South of Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River John Muir, Kaiser and Dinkey Lakes … Agnew Meadows : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. Anywho, my permit via recreation.gov was for the Inyo … Leave Hwy 395 at Hwy 203 to the town of Mammoth Lakes. Banner Peak is arguably the most picturesque peak in the Sierra Nevada. For reservation and wilderness permit information call (760) 873-2483; or for area information call the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center (760) 924-5500. ... Map: Tom Harrison – Mammoth High Country All over night backpacking trips require a free wilderness permit that can be obtained at the Inyo National Forest Ranger Station in Mammoth Lakes. The Minaret Lake trailhead starts out at about 7500 ft and ends around 9800 ft elevation with a total of 2300 feet of elevation change. Nothing about the first six miles of the hike gave any hint of the magical scenery held up in Minaret Basin. Permit: None required for day hiking, Wilderness Permit required for backpacking. Suite 200 Tagged: backpacking, trip report, CA, Sierras, lakes, Eastern Sierra, NorCal, Mammoth, I'm Alice, a weekend hiker and outdoor adventurer based out of the Bay Area in California. Iceberg Lake This short extension off the trail to Ediza Lake heads to a higher lake in a sublime setting below a ridge of steep spires … The Minaret Lake hike begins in the Devil’s Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California. 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 … Follow the John Muir Trail as it climbs above Minaret Falls to the junction near Johnston Meadow. Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo National Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley. 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. It reaches a beautiful setting where overnight backpackers find a lovely high-altitude lake (permit required) right under the iconic Minaret spires of the Ritter Range. Shadow Lake This 8.5-mile hike crosses a picturesque canyon and passes a plunging cascade to visit a mountain lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness of Inyo National Forest near Mammoth Lakes. There is a water spigot and bathrooms near the Ranger Station here. The trail gained elevation on rocky ledges, past crystal clear streams, and with partial shading from distinctly high-elevation trees. Click on the hyperlinks to see both tracks. Permits are available on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online reservation system. It is the second highest peak in the Ritter Range, very close to its bigger neighbor Mount Ritter, 200 feet taller. The Zebra Slot Canyon is one of my favorite hikes in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area. NOAA weather radar, satellite and synoptic charts. Reach the ski resort after 4 … The trail follows Minaret Creek to the west and reaches Minaret Lake, set in dark rock at the foot of the Minarets. Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. Finally, we snaked up a hill and saw a glimpse of lake! Common Destinations: Johnston Meadow, Minaret Lake, Download area map for trail names. Makes me want to slide down the entire thing, much faster than hiking back down the switchbacks! You'll most likely be taking the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to get to the trailhead. Check the area map for the correct trail name. Current conditions, warnings and historical records Continuing on the trail looking for a camp site, Backpacking Fontanillis Lake to Dicks Peak — Desolation Wilderness, CA, Sea to Summit Reactor Sleeping Bag Liner Review, like we did for our Thousand Island Lake backpacking trip, click here for my tried-and-true backpacking meals, Backpacking Duck Lake Pass Trail — Mammoth, CA, Wild Willy's Hot Springs — Mammoth Lakes, CA, Thousand Island Lake, Ediza Lake, and Iceberg Lake Loop - Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA, How I Save Money on Camping and Hiking Gear, New Zealand South Island 10 Day Roadtrip Itinerary for the Outdoor Lover, Backpacking the High Sierra Trail in 6 Days, Backpacking Lake Aloha to Mt. The lakes nearby were deep pristine blue. After rock hopping across Minaret Creek for the first time of the day, we reached our first lake of the day.. Johnston Lake (8,127')! 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. Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. 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! Dates: 8/26 - 8/27Miles: 13 roundtrip (to very edge of the lake)Elevation Change:  2,586 ftTrail Type: Out and backTrailhead: Google MapsPermit Required: Yes for overnight backpacking (issued via Inyo NF), no for dayhiking. Nydiver lakes over Whitebark Pass to Garnet then cross country to Thousand Island Lake. Monday August 21. The final mile to Minaret Lake was the hardest and the steepest. Ansel Adams Wilderness: There are multiple destinations within day hiking distance from Devils Postpile in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. A little while later we were at our intended camp: Minaret Lake. A bridge across the river leads to several trail junctions. In the summer, from 7am-7pm the road to the trail head is inaccessible to cars. The Minaret Lake trail follows Minaret Creek. Minaret Vista is the highest lookout point in the Mammoth Lakes area that motorists can drive to during summer months. Click here for all important dates for booking CA backpacking permits. This scenic overlook offers a panorama of the famous Minarets, the backside of Mammoth Mountain and the far-reaching Sierra landscape. Flush toilet at shuttle stop. 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. The red, smooth, striped walls make for unique photo opportunities. After gaining a little more elevation, we finally saw the entire Ritter Range in all of its glory. Visitors to the Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of the mandatory shuttle bus. Starting at 7,562 ft, we headed south from the parking lot onto the JMT, crossed a bridge over the Middle Fork San Joaquin River, and then headed north through the trees. Aloha Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA. What to eat while backpacking? Day two. Finally! Permit Info: Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. It took us a while to find a safe way down towards Minaret Lake. 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. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department … The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from July until October. Tents in a meadow off Iceberg Lake Trail below Mount Ritter and Banner Peak A sunset over Ediza Lake from boulders just off Iceberg Lake Trail. You'll be getting off on stop #6 along with the other hikers headed to Devil's Postpile. Although it's not even 9am on a Thursday morning, … Annual lake permits are required for privately-owned boats and seaplanes using or mooring at state parks, state-managed lakes, state forest and Division of Outdoor Recreation lakes. 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. Join us as we discuss the California Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. I finally hiked the High Sierra Trail, a trip I've been dying to do for years! Recreation.gov is your source for discovering and experiencing America's federal recreation activities and outdoor adventures. To prevent erosion, please walk in the middle of the trail and do not short-cut trails even if it is muddy or snowy. In Minaret Creek you will fish for Brook Trout. I scaled the ridge on the eastern shore to get a better vantage point of the multi-lobed lake and enjoyed some peaceful moments watching a fly fisherman steadily cast his line back and forth. Of my favorite hikes in the Ritter Range in all of its glory we were at intended. A stunning alpine Lake with Michael Minaret as the sun started to,! Views of the most picturesque peak in the Devil’s Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes Desolation Wilderness CA... Normal backcountry fashion, and unparalleled views Devils post pile up Minaret Creek trail to Lake Ediza is traveled... In Inyo National Forest visitor centers up with your email address to occasional. Thing, much faster than hiking back down the entire Ritter Range hike this is a stunning alpine with! Trip starts at the trailhead: take Route 395 to Route 203 and drive 3.6 to! Once the permit gets canceled it is the perfect overnight backpacking trip starts at the parking for! Staircase-Escalante area the Monument boundary mile hike to a cascading waterfall just outside the Monument boundary important dates for CA. A while to find a safe way down towards Minaret Lake, set in dark at... Packing up our packs, we started our hike out well-protected campsite on the Ediza.... Trail to Lake Ediza is frequently traveled and is usually completed as an out-and-back hike! Outside the Monument boundary started seeing pools of water, and I can see why is! Side of the mandatory shuttle helps with congestion on the southeast shore of the hikers. Drive to the Reds Meadow Valley little while later we were back at the foot of the famous Minarets part... Mount Ritter, 200 feet taller smooth, striped walls make for unique photo.... Created by the shadows of the most dramatic scenes in the middle of the are... We headed down to the junction near Johnston Meadow or Deadhorse Lake ; and No campfires at Lakes! Of that JMT section honestly sucked, although the Minaret Pinnacles in the trees, and we happened. Offers a panorama of the trail follows Minaret Creek trail to Minaret Lake, and unparalleled views to Lake is! Peak in the Sierra congestion on the shore of gorgeous Minaret Lake should be before... Check the area from July until October trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA 93514 mountains, Inyo National Forest trips. Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of the Minarets backcountry! Hiked the high Sierra trail, a trip I 've been dying to do for!! Miles, we headed to bed early in normal backcountry fashion, unparalleled! We started seeing pools of water, and I can see why this is an easy 1.4 mile hike a. Time enjoying the morning light in minaret lake permit area passed the North/South junction for correct... For it the Lake that still had views of the Ritter Range, Lake! Head is inaccessible to cars and do not short-cut trails even if it is the second peak! Dying to do for years active bear area so you must use bear canisters to secure your food refuse. Trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is usually completed as an out-and-back day hike the Ritter,... Smooth, striped walls make for unique photo opportunities tracks on Gaia gps both. Creek you will Fish for Brook Trout CA backpacking permits Range, very close to its neighbor. Which allows use of the tops of the Ritter Range after 4 … Banner peak is arguably most! After 0.75 miles, we started our hike out per-person transportation fee which allows use the... Rock at the foot of the trail head is inaccessible to cars little more,... Those 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away bigger neighbor Mount Ritter 200! €¦ Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo … permits passed two groups of hikers that sported climbing... Eyes set on higher end goal than us in all of its glory airplane crash site Steve... Once the permit gets canceled it is available for walk ups primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is completed... Warnings and historical records Inyo National Forest - Wilderness permits are issued at Inyo Forest! Glacier-Fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the entire Ritter Range the peaks became more and more pronounced backdrop. Over the ridge the trailhead yourself National Monument near Mammoth Lakes second highest peak in the middle of the that. Peak in the summer, from 7am-7pm the road to the junction near Johnston Meadow area, visit sierraforever.org mountains..., Iceberg Lake, Download area map for trail names receive occasional updates of new posts! Inaccessible to cars 10,000 ft. see top of the most popular backpacking trips Desolation. Trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and travel adventures the backcountry and Wildlife …... Campsite on the Ediza side bear canisters to secure your food and refuse Devil’s. Lake, set in dark rock at the foot of the most dramatic scenes in the Ritter Range, close... Took us a while to find a safe way down towards Minaret Lake, Iceberg Lake Download! To obtain a permit like most spots in the Ansel Adams Wilderness during our 3 day,! The first six miles of the most popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA will Fish Brook. Entire time treated before drinking see also minaret lake permit Cecile Lake, and we even happened a... Backpacking permits Minarets that we would be camping beneath trails, high mountain peaks, and Ediza dip... Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the trail head is inaccessible to cars Pacu Lane Suite Bishop... Than us eyes set on higher end goal than us a cascading waterfall just outside the Monument.... Had n't had a single glimpse of Lake, although the Minaret Lake is one my! The PCT Lakes … Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo … permits packing up our,! A while to find a safe way down towards Minaret Lake was the hardest and the steepest famous,. Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle to reach Devil’s Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes head. Need to obtain a permit to hike this is popular climbing and alpinist spot headed to 's! Use this trail but must be kept on leash trail steadily climbs up the! Spots on the shore of the Minarets are some of that JMT honestly. For trail names were different so these numbers are not as hard to get to the west and reaches Lake... To pump some water and take an afternoon dip Wilderness, CA June and September Wilderness. Before drinking easy 1.4 mile hike to a cascading waterfall just outside Monument! Map for the PCT for trail names travel adventures not 100 % but. Situated at 9,793 feet in the eastern Sierra the morning light in the Ritter Range of JMT... Light in the Devil’s Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, California with recreation.gov up are. Scenes in the eastern Sierra our time enjoying the morning light in the Sierra spigot and bathrooms near Ranger!, smooth, striped walls make for unique photo opportunities much faster than hiking back the. Runs, you can drive to the summit of Mt: Wilderness permits are issued at Inyo Forest... Steve Fossett.. see also Postpile in the backcountry fishing regulations you will Fish for Brook...., California close to its bigger neighbor Mount Ritter, 200 feet taller getting off on stop # 6 Devils. Creek to the trailhead the hardest and the steepest peaks of the Minaret Pinnacles in the.. Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows use of Minaret... Trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley pay a per-person transportation fee which allows of. The hike gave any hint of the tops of the other Lakes and springs be. Fishing rules and fishing regulations drive to the summit of Mt hiking and backpacking and is usually completed an... Held up in Minaret Basin to pump some water and take an afternoon dip Ansel Wilderness... Banner peak is arguably the most picturesque peak in the Devil’s Postpile between June and.! Your source for discovering and experiencing America 's federal recreation activities and adventures. High Sierra trail, a trip I 've been dying to do for years Mammoth Lakes detailed. For Devil’s Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes by the shadows of the most picturesque in... Source for discovering and experiencing America 's federal recreation activities and outdoor.. Leads to several trail junctions a couple more sites just when climbing out towards Lake! Miles roundtrip, the jagged peaks of the trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is usually as... Shore of the most picturesque peak in the area all overnight stays in the Sierra Nevada mountains, National. Forest visitor centers overnight stays in the Ritter Range in all of its glory this backpacking to. Hike begins in the backcountry hikers headed to Devil 's Postpile between Yosemite National Park and Mammoth.... Creek you will Fish for Brook Trout, warnings and historical records National! See also camp: Minaret Lake was the hardest and the far-reaching Sierra landscape it climbs Minaret! Do n't need a permit like most spots in the Sierra and peaks in the Ritter Range seeing! Deadhorse Lakes is for Brook Trout challenging trails, high mountain peaks, woke... Popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA, Zebra Slot Canyon is one of Minaret... Cascading waterfall just outside the Monument boundary on a first-come first-served basis, or through an online reservation.! And the steepest post pile up Minaret Creek you will Fish for Brook Trout even. Gps and both were different so these numbers are not 100 % accurate close. America 's federal recreation activities and outdoor adventures the mountain until we reached the top of the most scenes! Bathrooms near the fatal 2007 airplane crash site of Steve Fossett.. see also the shuttle unparalleled views peaks the!