○ 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

Minaret Lake Trail

๐ŸŒค Trail Weather โ€” Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs ยท Trailhead coords
โœ…
Good Conditions โ€” Solid Day to Hike
55ยฐF, Broken Clouds. Wind 3 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
โ˜๏ธ
55ยฐ
Broken Clouds
Feels 52ยฐF
๐Ÿ’จ Wind
3 mph SW
Gusts to 10 mph
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
48%
Comfortable
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Cloud Cover
63%
Mostly cloudy
๐ŸŒ… Sunrise
6:46 am
Ideal start time
๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset
6:49 pm
Off trail by this
Today โ€” 3-Hour Intervals
11 pm
โ˜๏ธ
52ยฐ
Feels 50ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 6/19
5-Day Forecast
โ˜๏ธ
Today
Broken Clouds
52ยฐF
feels 50ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
6/19 WSW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
53% Comfortable
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
55% Mostly cloudy
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
โ˜๏ธ
Sat, Sep 26
Scattered Clouds
47ยฐF
feels 44ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
7/20 WSW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
62% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
26% Partly cloudy
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Sun, Sep 27
Clear Sky
43ยฐF
feels 39ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
6/20 WSW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
72% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
5% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐Ÿฅพ Acceptable โ€” Check Elevation
๐ŸŒฅ๏ธ
Mon, Sep 28
Few Clouds
38ยฐF
feels 34ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
5/16 WSW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
81% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
18% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
๐ŸŒ™
Tue, Sep 29
Clear Sky
40ยฐF
feels 34ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
8/24 NNE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
76% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐Ÿฅพ Acceptable โ€” Check Elevation
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Sep 25, 8:12 pm

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.

Trail Overview

The shuttle system is mandatory in summer and adds logistics to your day. Plan for the first shuttle departure. Thirteen miles at altitude is a genuine commitment โ€” this is a long day. No permits required for day use but overnight camping requires a wilderness permit reserved well in advance.

This Hike Is For You If…

Strong experienced day hikers who want a serious alpine objective. The scenery in the upper basin is among the best in the range.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip if you cannot commit to an early start. Skip if afternoon storms are forecast. Not suitable for beginners.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Good trail with rocky sections in upper basin. Creek crossings in early season. Exposure increases above 9,000 feet.

Shade: Partial

Water: Reliable Year-Round. Minaret Creek runs alongside trail. Filter recommended.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Less crowded than front-country Mammoth trails. Shuttle logistics filter casual visitors.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Take the first shuttle of the day. Or drive in before 7am to avoid the shuttle entirely.


This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

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13.3 miRound Trip
2100 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
7-9 hoursEst. Time
9795 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
RequiredPermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Devils Postpile National Monument, Reds Meadow Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Parking: Mandatory shuttle from Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center June through September. $10 per person. Own vehicle permitted before 7am and after 7pm.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: None
Best Arrival: Take the first shuttle of the day. Or drive in before 7am to avoid the shuttle entirely.

Trail Reality Check

The shuttle system is mandatory in summer and adds logistics to your day. Plan for the first shuttle departure. Thirteen miles at altitude is a genuine commitment โ€” this is a long day. No permits required for day use but overnight camping requires a wilderness permit reserved well in advance.

Terrain: Good trail with rocky sections in upper basin. Creek crossings in early season. Exposure increases above 9,000 feet.
Shade: Partial
Water: Reliable Year-Round โ€” Minaret Creek runs alongside trail. Filter recommended.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Moderate โ€” Less crowded than front-country Mammoth trails. Shuttle logistics filter casual visitors.
Who should do this: Strong experienced day hikers who want a serious alpine objective. The scenery in the upper basin is among the best in the range.
Who should skip this: Skip if you cannot commit to an early start. Skip if afternoon storms are forecast. Not suitable for beginners.