Backpacking to Minaret Lake - Ansel Adams Wilderness

Minaret Lake - backpacking in the Ansel Adams Wilderness: Leaving from Devil's Postpile National Monument, I was able to drive down the normally tightly managed road outside the town of Mammoth Lakes towards Red's Meadow. As I began my backpacking trip I swept past the many tourists and quickly found myself alone on the hot and dusty trail, winding my way through the intermitant shade of the towering pine trees. The beautiful valley leading up toward Minaret Lake - normally crowded with people - was completely vacant in the early season.

Reaching frozen Minaret Lake by mid-afternoon, I found myself all alone. The amazing scenery at this lake just enveloped me, and there I stood for hours just sitting and staring at the Minarets. The signs of my only companions for the next few days - coyotes - were abundant. Tracks through the patchy snow were everywhere.

The following day I made a short hike through the snow towards Deadhorse Lake, just to the southwest of camp. Reaching the beautiful lake early in the morning, I found it frozen and any chance of camping covered with the remains of the seasons snowfall. A short break and quick hike later I was back at Minaret Lake, where I began to make slow and deliberate progress around the lake, soaking up the views from every vantage point. A small patch of thawed lake on the far side of the lake gave me a chance to try my hand at fishing, catching a few small ones. After an enjoyable hike I found myself back at camp by mid-afternoon where, just below the outlet, I spotted a lone and healthy looking coyote, perhaps the same canine that serenaded me for hours that same night.

Hiking out the last day, I saw the first person in three days near the bridge along the San Joaquin River, and was suddenly enveloped with tourists enjoying the holiday weekend and beautiful weather.

Believe