Minaret Falls Easy


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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
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.

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.

6 Miles W Mammoth Lakes CA (Elev. 8071 ft)

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Wind chill values as low as 20. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Wind chill values as low as 15. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday
Snow showers likely, mainly after 11am. Some thunder is also possible. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Wind chill values as low as 13. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Some thunder is also possible. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Wind chill values as low as 6. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 45. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 56. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Get Google Maps directions to trailhead

Zoom out on map to see all nearby waterfalls:

Other waterfalls nearby:

Sotcher Lake Falls 1.62 miles
Upper Minaret Falls 1.95 miles
Far Upper Minaret Falls 2.24 miles
Rainbow Falls 2.70 miles
Middle King Creek Falls 2.70 miles
King Creek Falls 2.70 miles
Upper King Creek Falls 2.98 miles
Lower Rainbow Falls 3.14 miles
Minaret Lake Falls 3.47 miles
Rosalie Lake Falls 3.68 miles
Shadow Lake Falls 4.25 miles
Shadow Creek Falls 4.40 miles
Upper Shadow Creek Falls 4.65 miles
Mammoth Creek Falls 4.71 miles
Twin Falls 4.76 miles
Lower Mammoth Creek Falls 4.77 miles
Middle Fork San Joaquin River Falls 4.80 miles
Lower Nydiver Lakes Falls 5.09 miles
Upper Nydiver Lakes Falls 5.27 miles
Ediza Lake Falls 5.30 miles
East Garnet Lake Falls 5.84 miles
Garnet Lake Falls 6.07 miles
Middle Garnet Lake Falls 6.20 miles
Lower Garnet Lake Falls 6.24 miles
Ruby Lake Falls 6.72 miles
Dike Creek Falls 6.79 miles
Lower Dike Creek Falls 6.87 miles
Middle North Fork San Joaquin River Falls 6.94 miles
Iron Creek Falls 7.03 miles
Hemlock Crossing Falls 7.06 miles
Emerald Lake Falls 7.08 miles
Thousand Island Lake Falls 7.27 miles
Long Creek Falls 7.33 miles
Upper Lake Catherine Falls 7.55 miles
Middle Lake Catherine Falls 7.55 miles
Lake Catherine Falls 7.60 miles
Upper North Fork San Joaquin River Falls 7.86 miles
Ritter Lakes Falls 7.89 miles
Lower Twin Island Lakes Falls 8.04 miles
North Fork San Joaquin River Falls 8.09 miles
Lower North Fork San Joaquin River Falls 8.23 miles
Twin Island Lakes Falls 8.23 miles
Lower Bench Canyon Falls 8.33 miles
Horsetail Falls 8.59 miles
Tatum Falls 8.92 miles
Bench Canyon Falls 8.98 miles

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