The Minarets Grand Loop

This Sierra backpack was the stuff of dreams - beautiful alpine scenery and friends to share it with.  We decided to lengthen our trip a bit, making a loop out and back from Devil's Postpile, rather than cutting it short (as scheduled) at Agnew Meadows.  This gave us time to savor a most lovely chain of lakes: Minaret, Cecile, Iceberg, Ediza, Shadow, Rosalie and Gladys, each with its own personality and wonders.

After leaving L.A. (near the I-5 / 2 interchange) at 9:00am on Thursday, September 10 and car camping that night in Reds Meadow Valley, we’ll check out the famed Devil’s Postpile on Friday morning before setting off Friday morning for our 8-mile climb to Minaret Lake, set like a sapphire beneath the Ritter Range. Saturday we make an ambitious cross-country traverse across the basins of Cecile and Iceberg Lakes to Ediza Lake, and then exit the wilderness on Sunday from the Agnews Meadow Trailhead, where we’ll pick up our shuttle car in time for a return to L.A. by Sunday evening. Permit is pending for 6: four spots are available for L.A. hikers, and two out-of-area hikers will meet us in Reds Meadow Valley on Thursday evening.

At nearly 20 miles round trip, including some cross-country navigation, and with about 4000’ of elevation gain and loss, this hike will be strenuous and is suitable only for experienced backpackers in very good condition. Bears and mosquitoes will be our likely companions. All meals will be by individual commissary. Prospective participants will be asked to discuss their recent backpacking experience. Cost of $18.00 covers Reds Meadow Valley transportation fee, campsite fee and wilderness permit fee and is refundable only if another participant fills the slot. Participants will also be asked to share the cost of carpool from Los Angeles. Fewer than four signups cancels.