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. Be prepared before you go. How long does it take to hike Minaret Lake? Youll get to experience a gorgeous sunrise and stunning sunset in the Sierra Nevada, and that alone might make it worth it. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. There is a 10 person (6 reservation and 4 walk-in) daily permit quota for the Minaret Lake Trail from June to mid-September. LockA locked padlock Here Ill walk you through a suggested itinerary for backpacking the Minaret Lake trail, so you can make your plans accordingly. Important Notes: At the beginning of the Minaret Lake trail, there is a stream crossing that will be higher earlier in the season due to snow melt. Our only significant water crossing of the trip came at Minaret Creek shortly after exiting Devils Postpile. 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. Complete your camp locations and verify final group size before you print permit. After gaining a little more elevation, we finally saw the entire Ritter Range in all of its glory.Click here for all important dates for booking CA backpacking permits. In the morning, get energized with strong coffee and yummy breakfast burritos at Stellar Brew. | shedreamsofalpine.com. Minaret Lake Situated at 9,793 feet in the Ritter Range, Minaret Lake is a stunning alpine lake with Michael Minaret as the backdrop. 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. It would be a shame to come so far and only see one part of the basin. This loop is suitable for trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. Always keep your distance if you see a bear. At 1.6 miles veer right toward Johnston Lake. Is there drinking water available along the Minaret Lake hike? You can download the GPX files from the Minaret Lake trail map below. Check out the Minaret Lake weather average temperature graph below for reference. You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. Do not rely on cell phone for communication or navigation, most of the forest has no cell service. 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. Please Leave No Trace. 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. The cover photo for this post is from me waking up around 5 AM on my trip with my best friend to this area. It is located in the Sierra Nevada and provides stunning views of the Minarets, a series of jagged peaks in the Ritter Mountain Range, as well as numerous alpine lakes and lush meadows. If you choose to backpack to Minaret Lake, you will need to get an Inyo National Forest Wilderness permit in order to camp overnight. To be completely honest, getting to the Minaret Lake trailhead can be a bit of a hassle. Sitting directly below the summit of the towering 12,900ft. Just north of Shadow Lake (where the PCT/JMT converge) the Minaret Lakes Loop heads west along Shadow Creek Trail. This trail gains roughly 2,437ft of elevation and is rated as a hard trail with lots of foot traffic. There were too many peaks to count, and I can see why this is popular climbing and alpinist spot. 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. While we were both pretty exhausted at this point, it was worth mustering up the energy for exploration since the lake is irregularly shaped with lots of rocky coves. Hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing with confidence and being inspired by the outdoors. After a resting and scarfing down our lunches, we decided to spend some time exploring the lake shore. Our trails offer possibilities for hiking, photography, peak bagging, fishing, or simply enjoying the pristine beauty of the High Sierra. . He managed to snap a few photos of Minaret Lake from above though, and considered it all worth it for the views. Minaret Vista. 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. You can stop for water or to use the bathroom at the ranger center, then begin your hike right from there. Come prepared to find your way. 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. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Everything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logisitcal Center page. The trail starts 0.25 miles from the Devil's Postpile Ranger station. Common Destinations:Johnston Meadow, Minaret Creek, Minaret Lake andpoints beyond, Download area map for trail names. 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, Thousand Island Lake, Ediza Lake, and Iceberg Lake Loop - Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA, Wild Willy's Hot Springs Mammoth Lakes, CA, How I Save Money on Camping and Hiking Gear, The Ultimate One Week Norcal/Oregon Roadtrip for any Outdoor Adventurer, My Absolute Favorite Hikes in Sedona, Arizona, Backpacking the High Sierra Trail in 6 Days. All Locations > California > High Sierra > 04 - Ritter & M > Clyde Minaret. Wilderness permits can be obtained from the Inyo National Forest for trips originating out of trailheads within Reds Meadow Valley. Please help protect this natural resource and leave it unmarked for future visitors. ha! Knowledge is power my friend, and I'm a girl who loves data. Mammoth Lakes, CA. 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. If you are arriving between 7a and 7p,. 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. 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. Manage Settings In this post I've created a comprehensive hiking packing list for essential hiking gear. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, After pitching our tent, we headed down to the shore to pump some water and take an afternoon dip. Finally we started seeing pools of water, and eventually we arrived on the shore of gorgeous Minaret Lake! As always, all opinions are my own. 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). Note that during peak season, you will have to take a shuttle from Mammoth Mountain Inn to the trailhead as parking is limited. A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation. Thanks for the feedback, Ranjeet. United States government. There will be a trail junction where you will find the John Muir Trail (JMT) separating from the PCT. Other species in the East End area include barracuda, snapper and jacks. When to Hike Minaret Lake The best time to hike Minaret Lake and typical weather to expect on your trip. The Trail Code youll be applying for is Minaret Lake - AA11. 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. Interest in European architecture beyond Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean, is currently thriving. 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. Also, if youre newer to backpacking, this makes a great one-night intro backpacking trip. As the sun started to set, the light rays created by the shadows of the peaks became more and more pronounced. United States. More details on the quota can be found on the National Forest Service site. Then celebrate your adventure by heading to Mammoth Lakes for hearty burgers and excellent beers from Mammoth Brewing! After leaving Minaret Lake, follow the Minaret Creek Trail east to the PCT/JMT, where you can retrace your steps to Agnew Meadows. 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.. We switchbacked back and forth up the side of the mountain until we reached the top of the falls and headed over the ridge. Minaret Vista is the highest lookout point in the Mammoth Lakes area that motorists can drive to during summer months. | 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. 1) Go to the Recreation.gov website and search for Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits. 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. As soon as I saw pictures of this location, I knew Brian and I had to see it in person. Join me (and your peers) on a transformational adventure, where you will learn how to confidently go on your first ever (or perhaps your first solo) outdoor backpacking trip without the constant fear of getting lost, the crippling worry of being unprepared, and the lurking feeling that you lack the "know-how" and skills required to stay safe on the trails. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) John Muir Trail Shadow Creek Trail Minaret Creek Trail PCT/JMT. You will start the Minaret Lake hike at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station. Flush toilet at shuttle stop. 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! The mandatory shuttle helps with congestion on the windy roads and runs from about mid June to early September. No rain checks or credits. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Ata Beit, Baitik and Ala Archa - nature and history. 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! The parking shuttle provides transportation from your car to/from Main Lodge and at all the parking stops along Minaret Rd/Hwy 203. . Day Four. Glacier-fed Minaret Lakes are at the foot of the Minaret Pinnacles in the Ritter Range. Hiking poles could definitely come in handy here to maintain your balance in the water on slippery rocks. Also be sure to check out these essential hiking resources! 7 Tips to Hiking and Summitting Your First Fourteener Mountain, California backpacking permit process for popular trails and campsites, Backpacking for Beginners: 15 Rookie Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking | Consider this list of common backpacking blunders and backpacking tips as your introduction to backpacking basics. ft. 6201 Minaret Rd #2403, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 $1,095,000 MLS# 223000169 Welcome to The Village's exceptionally RARE TOP corner unit with high ceilin. While this hike is not extremely difficult, it is long, especially as a day hike, which could be too much for younger kids. It was much larger than we imagined, and of course the craggy spires that surround the sapphire blue waters are breathtaking. Walk-in permits are free of charge. 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. 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. 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. Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit.. Itinerary for Hiking the Minaret Lake Trail - Ill walk you through a suggested itinerary for backpacking the trail so you can make your plans accordingly. There are no discounts for annual passes, military, seniors, or children. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Then onto the destination of today - Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. This itinerary is packed with incredible hikes, waterfalls, rugged coastline, redwoods, caves, and lakes you wont want to miss. All Trips Outdoor Status. Descent: Cross Class 3 rock towards the Ken-Clyde Notch, down climb this to the start of the climb - a rappel is necessary at one point. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Get to know this 34.1-mile loop trail near June Lake, California. that youre fully prepared. The one-way hike to Minaret Lake wont take the whole day, so this trip will still give you time to relax and explore the area further if you want. Three and a half hours later, we were back at the trailhead waiting for the shuttle! Then continue to Tokmak and meet a local Dungan family and enjoy a home-cooked lunch. Permits required YEAR ROUND for overnight trips to Ansel Adams, John Muir, Hoover, & Golden Trout Wilderness areas, Group leader is responsible to ensure everyone in their group understands & obeys the conditions of the permit, All wilderness permits are reserved online. A $15.00 per person recreation fee is charged for trips entering the Whitney Zone (Mt. Refer to this list each time you hike and you will be prepared for almost anything! Here you'll find blog posts about some of my favorite backpacking and travel adventures. If you want to instead start in the Lakes Basin, you will need a permit for Horseshoe Lake Ranger Guided Programs On the more popular trails (Thousand Island Lake, Shadow Lake, Minaret Lake, etc.) After a long day on the trail, we stumbled into Mammoth Brewing Company for some well-deserved burgers and beers. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor Share sensitive information only Day 1: Car at Agnew Meadows Road to Ediza Lake (Shadow Creek). Map Information Activities These common but avoidable mistakes are an essential part of your backpacking 101 foundation, so to speak. International flights not included. This allowed us to drive down to the trailhead, and enjoy the trek with very few other hikers. | shedreamsofalpine.com, The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Isle Royale (in Lake Superior) | Isle Royale National Park is the least visited national park in America, but is the most revisited. . 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