Minaret Lake Loop Backpacking | Ansel Adams Wilderness

A 2-day backpacking trip through the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains covering approximately 26 miles. We began our hike at the Devil's Postpile hiking clockwise up to Minaret Lake, up and over to Iceberg Lake, then down past Ediza Lake back to Agnew Meadows. Filmed during August of 2017.

[@grega.4556]

Thank you for the narration and NOT including music. The sights and sounds of nature at its best...

[@sharyncrawford3419]

I call this one “The most beautiful place on earth” hike! Thank you so much for sharing your trip here!

[@Sheety33]

Thanks appreciate it!

[@RobertFKleinberg]

Thanks for the great video. We enjoyed watching it. I've done the loop some years back.

[@Shane7492]

What an absolutely gorgeous place. The Sierras are magical.

[@davidgunderman6348]

Ansel Adams Wilderness Area/Mammoth Mtn and the Minarets is our favorite place for hiking, backpacking & camping in the Sierra’s. Been 2 dozen + times from 1974-2006. The self trail from Minaret Lake to Cecile we found a source of water coming out of the side of the mtn. Encountered a Mother bear and her cub camping over night at a Shadow Lake. We miss backpacking in the Sierra’s. Thank you for sharing your beautiful video. Brought back all wonderful memories.

[@extremelydave]

WOW!! The last lake you came to.... the shot overlooking a meadow onto the lake.... one of the best landscape shots I have seen on KZbin.... just freakin' BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL!!!! It looked like a very cool trip altogether with NO other hikers??!!!! Spectacular!!!!

[@marklafollett6266]

Absolutely beautiful scenery!!!!!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great video. Incredible scenery. ✌️

[@NatureBoy711]

Wow! So gorgeous indeed!! ....and those are the prettiest wildflowers I've ever seen!!

[@PreachTheGospel07]

THANKS that was a great video, beautiful pictures.

[@carolwells8388]

Thankyou for bringing all that beauty into my home. Wish I could be there. Be safe. Carol W.

[@dperry7309]

That was awesome! You inspired my daughter and I to do the Fern Lake-Ashley Lake loop. This is now on our todo list. Thank you and your wife!

[@Sheety33]

Awesome! Enjoy the loop🤠

[@taymeyoto2971]

Thanks for this video, i really enjoy this type of stuff.

[@garyji]

Another addition to the Yosemite/Ansel Adams/John Muir area Bucket List. Really inspiring and gives a great sense of the terrain and degree of difficulty. Big smile for the morning camp site video of the backlit cereal, coffee mug, and matching bright green vegetation in the background. I guess there were no gourmet sandwiches this trip, eh? Ah, well. I'll keep tuning in. Well done! Thanks for posting. Your videos are my favorites.

[@carolwells8388]

You do an excellent job video taping . Keep up the very good work.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my outdoors friend. Two thumbs up on this trip. Awesome cinematography, five ***** stars for sure. I will watch for you on the trail. Take care, be safe and always have fun. 🤗

[@Sheety33]

Thanks! I don't often respond but do appreciate your comments - thank you for watching and commenting! Have a great weekend!!!

[@ianmandel352]

Amazing Vid ..thankyou for sharing your pov and the Beauty of Ediza Lake !! Definitely doing this backpacking trip soon ..thankyou Sheety33 !! p.s. your girl is a trooper !!

[@Sheety33]

Ian Mandel thank you!! That’s why I married her ;)

[@bardoface]

Love this place. Epic. One of the best in the Sierras.

[@Sheety33]

Agreed!

[@buletpoint]

beautiful thank you for sharing:)

[@donnam2012]

Beautiful! We are planning this loop for September this year, so your lovely video is very energizing. The section from Cecile Lake to Iceberg has given us a little pause for thought, though.

[@Sheety33]

Donna M the trail from Cecile to Iceberg is incredibly sketchy. We had to carve foot holes in the snow wall to climb up the snow, then slide down to Iceberg. If you have crampons and an ice axe to stop yourself from sliding into the icy water you should be fine, but must exercise extreme caution through this section.

[@CatherineGregoryAdventures]

Oh man...I've gotta do this loop. Absolutely stunning!!! Too bad you didn't stay another night at Lake Ediza. I'm sure you two were pretty spent after that hike out. Looked slightly brutal. lol Gorgeous footage from the majestic lakes to the most delicate little wild flowers.

[@Sheety33]

It truly is! Makes me want to go back after editing the video haha. I would like to go back up for another over-night at Ediza and experiment with some long exposure night photography - love the dark summer nights under the stars in the sierras....nothing better! Thanks for your comment!!

[@wannabetowasabe]

I wish I could have hiked that loop in 2017, but my last backpacking trip was in 2007 and was on that loop. We did it counterclockwise that year. I'm not sure which way is better or easier, I think it is easier to descend into Minaret Lake rather than climb out of it. My knees finally failed me around 2010 and I can't even day hike anymore. I had torn through 80% of my right knee's ACL when I was 17. The left knee had to make up for the weakness in the right one so I got arthritis in it around 1995. The right one got the arthritis in 1981. I did not pick a knee preserving career, which was with the U.S. Forest Service, the last 18 in the eastern Sierra. I worked in primarily field going positions and also kept my hand in emergency incident management, especially firefighting. My last 10 years was right there on the Mammoth Ranger District as the frontcountry recreation supervisor. My counterpart was the wilderness supervisor. Not only have I lost stability in the knees, I broke a hip in 2008 in a road bicycle accident and in 2015 I took a fall of about 16 feet and broke my right leg and got a burst fracture of one lumbar vertebra. My leg did not completely heal and know even walking on a sidewalk or level trail is not easy with my max distance of about a mile. Hit those trails as often as you can, you just don't know how long you will be able to. I figured I was going to be backpacking until 70-75 years old and it ended at 58. I spent a lot of time outdoors and I'm happy for that, but now I have to hike vicariously by watching other people's videos. Thanks for taking me along!

[@wannabetowasabe]

Very good video! I love your style of doing the narration live instead of doing it later while editing. I'm retired from the U.S. Forest Service and the Mammoth Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest was my last position, the last 10 years of my career. It was the best out of the 4 locations/positions I had with the agency, it was the best job of my career. I took this loop in 2009 or 2010. It was the last backpacking trip of my life and I only had 3-4 more years where I could day hike. My knees gave out at about age 63 due to the long term effects of an injury I had when I was 17. I had a falling accident when I was 64 that sealed the deal. Sometimes accidents leave you with injuries that never really heal. A few comments: 1. Your wife is beautiful and if you showed her more I think you would get more views! We see a lot of her walking in front of you, but not much of her facing you. Is she camera shy? If she is,it is hard to understand as she is very attractive, with nothing to be shy of. 2. The standard regulation for campsite location is to be 100 feet from water and no less than 25 feet if terrain gives you no alternative. Minaret Lake has a lot campsites more than 100 feet from water. The biological productivity and thus the chance for soils and vegetation to filter water is rather low, so any pollution caused by cooking, washing, peeing, pooping, etc. needs a 100 feet of soil to travel through. Once anything gets into the lake there are not a lot of critters to further filter the water. Any human added nutrients in the water can cause some real problems in high elevation lakes. 3. For others contemplating this trip, I don't think there is any advantage as to whether it is done clockwise or counterclockwise, with one exception. I think it is easier to find the route between Minaret and Cecile Lakes when traveling uphill, like you did. It's easy to lose track of when going downhill. 4. I think it is far more enjoyable to do this trip over 3 days. Good locations for camping are at Ediza and Minaret Lakes. Both are high enough to have fewer mosquitos than lower lakes, but they are still difficult in early summer, though in a year like 2017 they can be bad until mid September. When 3 days are taken a side trip up to the Minaret Mine can be taken. This mine was the reason the road was built over Minaret Summit and the old road to the mine (evident when walking it) is still there. Congress decided that it was a low standard road that hadn't been driven on in decades so they included it in the original wilderness designation for the area. The famous pilot/adventurer Steve Fossett crashed his plane up the ridge to the east of the mine, although finding the crash site now is unlikely. The crash site was cleaned up.

[@Sheety33]

wannabe to wasabe thanks for your comments and questions! #1 my wife is super camera shy. Sometimes I can catch her off guard, but most of the time she’s on point and aware I’m filming haha. #2 absolutely, and a naive mistake on our part. It’s only when one truly recognizes the impact to the environment that can occur by our thoughtless acts can we change our behaviors and better the planet, in addition to sharing this information. So, thank you for pointing this out :). #3 agree!. #4 i agree! We could have used another night possibly next to Ediza lake that would have sealed the trip for us. Please take care and glad you are able to enjoy the wilderness through KZbin videos.

[@wannabetowasabe]

@@Sheety33 Thanks so much for getting back to me! My comment was long, but the video you took was very good and deserved some discussion. I just cleaned up some typos, I thought I was a better writer, but perfection is not possible. I can't figure out why your wife is camera shy, I say this with a great deal of experience, she is beautiful!

[@Wanna.Wander]

Fording the water was fun! Great snaps of the beautiful scenery around you provided by Mother Nature! The Falls is gorgeous with so much water rushing down. And wow! The emerald lake is just gorgeous with the mountains in the backdrop! Looks cold! Was it cold with shorts on? Brrrr... I can’t wait to go to Devil’s Postpile too. Looks Kar like you were spared the thunderstorm? Looks so romantic and so fun to go packing with your mate. Peace and tranquility there at your camp. Just incredible views! You made it to the Minarets! Happy trails you guys💜

[@Sheety33]

Thanks! It actually was not cold - the sierra sun is very hot and I kept warm during our hiking time. Yes! I forgot to mention the thunderstorm in the video - it did not end up happening. I was looking forward to sleeping in the tent with some rain (one of the best sounds on earth is rain hitting the tent), but we did not receive any rain and slept like rocks throughout the night. I've turned my wife into a hiker by introducing her to the sierras - it's my favorite place! Happy trails and thank you for your comment!

[@Wanna.Wander]

Sheety33 I can’t wait to see more of the Sierras and do some hiking . Happy trails you guyz 💜

[@ColemanOutdoors]

Nice job! I know a perfectly timed shot makes it appear that you are all alone, but how crowded was that trail back in August! Too much beauty for just 2 people to be enjoying. Nice waking up to that video while our gloomy LA weekend continues. Not that I'm complaining about the rain.

[@Sheety33]

Thanks! Actually, the trail was not crowded. The only crowd was literally at the Devil's Postpile - the rest of the trail was very quiet and relaxing, free of people and nothing but wilderness. Haha, I know what you mean - we're due for even more rain this week! Really looking forward to the summer and getting back into the sierra back country!!!

[@ColemanOutdoors]

@@Sheety33 that's great! I love talking to people, but it just as nice to have complete solitude out there too. Actually I prefer it. Looking forward to the summer too. If I can make it over the Grapevine tomorrow morning, I'm going to see if I can't hike Mt Pinos. Snow showers in the forecast so it'll be fun.

[@monicarandeen8698]

Beautiful! Was this a loop? Also did you have to apply for a permit in advance?

[@chrismadsen8373]

thanks for sharing. Its goregous

[@XJarhead360]

Excellent image at 7:30. Hope you made a big print and framed it. Your videos are outstanding.

[@cq7415]

Beautiful area and scenery. Pretty good job again of filming except I wish you had a camera STABELIZER. Nice slow pan shots are good. Glad to see two fine young people out together enjoying the wilderness and having fun making videos. Keep enjoying together. Thanks for sharing.

[@jwhoward182]

I wish you could spell.

[@dowork2091]

Loved the vid ive only done day hikes to minaret lake didnt make to cecil or iceberg but have done shadow and ediza and garnet and thousands island lake

[@sitbone3]

“Gorgeous...”

[@jameshunt1221]

heaven

[@Vercippu]

Awesome video!! She is lucky she didn't twist her ankles in those sneakers. One needs proper trekking boots for a trip like this.

[@kirkrozelle1900]

Another inspiring video! Did you know that your route (up to the end after Ediza Lake) was on the Sierra High Route? I've been studying it and hope to hike much of it this summer. (BTW ... Yours was the first KZbin backpacking channel I discovered a couple of years ago and now I follow a number of others ... but your videos are probably still my favorite. Great trails and content with gorgeous production quality!)

[@Sheety33]

Thank you so much! Is it?! I had no idea - just realized I could make a loop out of the hike and so we did. Good to know that was part of the SHR. Thank you very much - I didn't add any music or anything fancy to this one and I think I want to keep them this way going forward - I like the "fly on the wall" feel to this video and find it more enjoyable to watch. Thanks again for the comment!

[@jimmyz80]

Fantastic video of an amazing trip. I remember hiking this loop back when I was in Boy Scouts, and visiting these same lakes; great memories. Out of curiosity, what camera did you use? The quality is great.

[@XJarhead360]

I think the missus does the still photography. Sheety is the videographer. I'd also like to know the camera and lenses they use. Though it's the photographer's vision and not the camera itself that makes great images. Galen Rowell had outstanding photos with Nikon 35mm cameras with film.

[@ehong1011]

Amazing video, super useful for all of use planning our own trip out there. Minaret is one of my all time favorite lakes to visit for sure. I've gotten several good trip ideas from your videos, and so thank you! As a suggestion, I was wondering if you would consider putting in a blurb in your description educating the viewers about not camping within 100ft of any water source? [Part of the wilderness permit requirement/leave no trace] I know I've made that mistake before as well and had to be educated by my friends, so no judgement here from me. Thanks for the consideration.

[@Sheety33]

Eddie absolutely - I am considering adding this in future videos!

[@Mehmet-hn9fw]

Sehr schön,very nice,çok güzel

[@Sheety33]

Thanks!

[@kevnmtns4773]

Love your Vids!!! Cecile - "Sis eel"

[@Sheety33]

Thanks!

[@waterfallmadman]

I guess this is early or mid August. Lots of water! I did that loop in September. The video is on my channel. I camped at Upper Minaret Falls and the second night ediza lake falls.

[@Sheety33]

Mid August 2017. Tons of water. Cool I will check out your video!

[@isaacorue398]

Loving all of your videos and curious what you’re using to film?

[@Sheety33]

Thanks! Using a Sony a6500 and GoPro Hero 5 in this video. Lately I have been using my iPhone 8 Plus, but feel after looking back at the quality of the a6500 and GoPro, it might be time to go back to these quality cameras :D

[@francescocasini5151]

Simply beautiful, is it ok not to camp overnight but to return in the same day?

[@Sheety33]

Yes of course. You can hike this trail any day and return.

[@inkjob12]

surprised to hear you say that there were so many mosquitos....usually by August there are gone....but I do see that there is still snow on the ground ....snow melt equals marshy conditions

[@comrades73]

how hard was it to go to iceberg lake from minaret lake ?

[@blakefuruike3879]

Super cool video I’m doing a hike in Ansel Adams wilderness and I’m wondering how you got the permit?

[@JonJaeden]

10:22 Awesome

[@RayBouknight]

Nice! Have you done Rae Lakes Loop?

[@Radnally]

Another great hike. Thanks. I'd like to hike a week in the sierras this May. Any suggestions as to the best place, given that snow may be an issue?

[@Sheety33]

Thanks! Hmmmmmm, May can be tricky due to snow pack. Due to the snowfall we have already received this year in California, I anticipate a summer similar to that of 2017 were passes had snow the entire season. To play it safe this May, Yosemite valley is a good option in addition to the foothills of the eastern sierra. Hope this helps!

[@Radnally]

@@Sheety33 Thanks. Maybe i will wait until september instead.

[@Sheety33]

Radnally good idea. Will be doing the jmt then.

[@janelleotero9666]

Beautiful! How far out is that waterfall? Is it named?

[@Sheety33]

Thanks! The waterfall is approximately 3 miles into the trail. I do not believe there is a name for the cascade of water flowing north from Minaret Lake, but if I were to guess it would be named "Minaret Cascades".

[@FOLLOWINGWALKERSWORLD]

what month was this video taken....very nice.

[@Sheety33]

August of 2017

[@scottfine2875]

As an experienced Sierra Nevada hiker such as yourself…lemme ask you. What are your thoughts & plans for hiking the trails in the Mammoth/Bishop area this summer? Meaning the snowpack & the amount of snow that will still be there say…May-July. I really wanna trek up to the chocolate lakes & most of all Duck pass. Was thinking of taking a trip up to Mammoth memorial weekend end of May.

[@Sheety33]

Eastern side will not be thawed until mid July is my guesstimate at this time. Too much snow at the moment and still too early to tell really.

[@tmoon5691]

Hi I'm about to do pretty much the same trail for 5 days. We're average or below average couple in mid 30s who don't really hike normally. I'm surprised you did it in 2 days, do you think 5 days would be too long?

[@Sheety33]

5 days is a long time but there is nothing wrong with hiking the trail at your own pace. Please take extreme care when descending from Cecile Lake down to Iceberg. My video does not show this section of the trail, and that is because it was extremely difficult to film due to the grade of trail. If you do not have hiking experience, I would avoid hiking this loop.

[@Sayfeijai]

Where did you guys get those cups and bowls ?

[@Sheety33]

@REI

[@codyrobertson5522]

How many other people did you see on the Minaret Lake trail?

[@Sheety33]

Not many!

[@jjfjeff]

Thats a big chunk of lake ice, but high elevation.

[@very_perfect]

Where the bears are at

[@Sheety33]

In the town of Mammoth Lakes

[@keithbandy8959]

how fishing

[@daledavis5593]

Your camp spot is to close to lake,you need to obey the backcountry laws 😮,,otherwise good job!!!!!! on the photography

[@Sheety33]

I’ve learned a lot of the years - happy trails!