Wilderness Areas of the Sierra Nevada Plus Inyo and White Mountains Ansel Adams Boundary Peak Carson Iceberg Desolation Dinkey Lakes Domeland Granite Chief Emigrant Golden Trout Inyo Mountains Inyo National Forest Jennie Lakes John Muir Kaiser Kings Canyon Mokelumne Monarch Sequoia National Park Mt. Shasta South Sierra Yosemite National Park

Inyo National Forest

Beck Lake, Minaret Lake and John Muir North

From Hwy. 395, take the Mammoth Lakes exit, Hwy. 203. Drive through town to Minaret road. Turn right for Devils Post Pile and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Continue 12 miles to the Devils Post Pile parking. There is a mandatory shuttle bus on this road from 7:30 - 5:30, June - September. The bus leaves from Mammoth Mountain Inn, there is a fee.

Descend on a sandy trail for ½ mile to a trail junction. Go north, right, for about a mile to another junction. For Beck Lake, go left and climb on a moderate trail above the creek. Continue on switchbacks as the trail heads south, then descends on a rocky path to a meadow surrounded by pines. At a junction at 5 ½ miles, go right for Superior Lake and Beck Lakes. Climb on an easy trail for less than a mile before reaching Superior Lake, a beautiful lake with good camping. An indistinct path will lead to Beck Lakes, surrounded by high rock ridges.

For Minaret Lake, go right at the second junction, 1 ½ miles from the trailhead and climb on a sandy trail through the pines. Cross the creek and reach Johnston Lake and Johnston Meadow before another junction is reached after ½ mile. Go right here for the John Muir Trail North.

Go left for Minaret Lake, climbing beside the creek and reaching a beautiful waterfall at 4 miles. The trail opens up to reveal excellent views of the Ritter Range to the west. Continue climbing to reach Minaret Lake at 7 miles. This lake has some good campsites in a rocky setting. Clyde and Ken Minaret dominate the scene. Cecile Lake can be reached on a cross-country route to the north of Minaret Lake, and up a grassy bench to the northwest.

For the John Muir Trail North, go right at the third junction, 2 miles from the trailhead. Climb steadily through the forest to reach little Trinity Lakes at 4 ½ miles. Reach a spur trail to the left soon after that heads toward Emily Lake at 6 ½ miles. Continue straight on the main trail, up a ridge and down to Gladys Lake at 6 ½ miles. Rosalie Lake is ½ mile further. Climb out of the lake basin and switchback down to Shadow Lake. No camping at Shadow Lake. The trail continues north to Donahue Pass and over the pass into Yosemite National Park.

*The bridge in Devils Postpile was washed out in 1997. This bridge is for the John Muir Trail North out of Devils Postpile. Two other bridges connecting the Pacific Crest Trail are intact. Contact the Mammoth Ranger Station for current conditions. 760 924-5500.

	Elevation	Miles
Trailhead	7,650
Superior Lake	9,400	6.2
Lower Beck Lake	9,803	7.0
Upper Beck Lake	9,836	7.3
Minaret Lake	9,793	7.0
Trinity Lakes	9,160	4.5
Gladys Lake	9,530	6.5
Minaret Lake	9,793	7.0
Rosalie Lake	9,350	7.2

Maps - Ansel Adams Wilderness - Topo Mammoth High Country - 15 minute -Topo Devils Postpile - 15 minute quad. - Topo Inyo National Forest - 60 minute * This trailhead has a maze of trails leaving from the area, a map can be helpful.