Minaret Lake Trail
A premium long-distance trek from Devils Postpile into the Ansel Adams Wilderness, following Minaret Creek to a crystal lake perched beneath the iconic jagged black spires of the Minaret Range.
○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
13.3 miRound Trip
2,100 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
7-9 hoursEst. Time
9,795 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
RequiredPermit
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Ediza and Iceberg Lakes Trail
Widely regarded as the most beautiful lake basin in the Sierra Nevada. Mount Ritter and Banner Peak reflect perfectly on Ediza Lake, with an optional extension to the snowfield-edged Iceberg Lake.
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Cathedral Lakes Trail
A classic stretch of the John Muir Trail in Yosemite’s high country, climbing through pristine sub-alpine terrain to Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes beneath a soaring granite spire.
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McGee Creek Trail to Steelhead Lake
A dynamic trail that transforms mile by mile — from sun-drenched wildflower canyons along a rushing trout stream into a high granite amphitheater. Multi-colored canyon walls are the visual anchor.
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Crystal Lake Trail
Short but steep — this trail climbs directly up the face of the Mammoth Crest under Crystal Crag, delivering sweeping panoramic views of the entire Mammoth Lakes Basin for a fraction of the effort of longer hikes.
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Devils Postpile to Rainbow Falls
A globally renowned trek past a massive wall of symmetrical basalt columns, then down-canyon to a 101-foot waterfall that casts vivid rainbows in the afternoon mist. Wide accessible trail with minimal elevation change.
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McLeod Lake Trail
A brief high-reward woodland trek through a haunting ghost forest killed by volcanic CO2 venting, opening to a pristine white-sand alpine beach at McLeod Lake. The ideal first high-country hike.
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Virginia Lakes Trail to Burro Pass
Starting at 9,800 feet, this Hoover Wilderness trail threads past five beautiful lakes framed by multi-hued volcanic peaks before climbing to Burro Pass — a wide-open saddle with panoramic views deep into the backcountry.
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Lundy Canyon Trail
One of the most underrated hikes on the 395 corridor. Aspen groves, beaver ponds, mining ruins, and three cascading waterfalls in a canyon that feels completely removed from the road. Fall color here rivals anything in California.
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Hilton Lakes Trail
The uncrowded alternative to the always-jammed Little Lakes Valley, accessed from the same Rock Creek Road. A chain of nine alpine lakes in a spectacular granite basin above treeline with views of Bear Creek Spire and Mount Huntington.