Best of the BestBest of the BestBest of the BestBest of the BestBest of the Best   Minaret Falls
Location: Mammoth Lakes, Devils Postpile National Monument, Inyo National Forest, Madera County
Stream: Minaret Creek
Alternate Names:

Height: ~250 ft.
Access:   hike   dog  
Distance: 2.6 miles (RT)
Elevation: 7600 ft. (+100 ft.)
Season: Jun-Sep
Difficulty: easy
Form:  cascade
Lat/Long:37.64058, -119.09140
Directions:From Mammoth Lakes, drive 13 miles on Hwy 203 to Devils Postpile Natl. Monument. Turn into the Devils Postpile (ranger station) area. There is a fee to enter the Monument. There is also a mandatory shuttle bus unless you are camping or are handicapped.   Minaret Falls pictures for sale; Click to view gallery

The second best waterfall in the Eastern Sierra is only about a mile or so upstream from the best waterfall. Minaret Falls cascades about 250 ft. or so from snowmelt in the Minaret mountain range, down into the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. It is incredibly impressive, and spans out very wide, falling in many little waterfall rivulets down the mountain side. You can get right up beside the falls and feel the mist in your face. It is an awesome experience.

To reach Minaret Falls, begin hiking south (away from the falls) from the Devils Postpile parking area (at the ranger station). After a short distance, you will come to a bridge across the river, then start hiking back upstream to Minaret Falls. The trail is well-signed.

When you reach the waterfall, you will be at the base of the falls. You can easily climb up to get better views of the upper section. To get to the very top of the falls might be too difficult, as you will have to find a way up and around the granite cliff.

Get Google Maps directions to trailhead

Zoom out on map to see all nearby waterfalls:

Other waterfalls nearby:
Sotcher Lake Falls 1.62 miles
Rainbow Falls 2.70 miles
Lower Rainbow Falls 3.14 miles
Shadow Lake Falls 4.24 miles
Mammoth Creek Falls 4.71 miles
Twin Falls 4.76 miles
Shadow Creek Falls 4.78 miles
Lower Nydiver Lakes Falls 5.09 miles
Upper Nydiver Lakes Falls 5.27 miles
Garnet Lake Falls 6.07 miles
Horsetail Falls 8.59 miles
Tatum Falls 8.92 miles
Horsetail Falls 15.63 miles
Silver Pass Falls 16.92 miles
Upper Jackass Creek Falls 17.93 miles
Jackass Creek Falls 17.98 miles

High Sierra Waterfalls Home Page

Add Your Comment for Minaret Falls

No Comments