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)

Overnight
Mostly clear, with a steady temperature around 29. Wind chill values as low as 17. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values as low as 16 early. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Wind chill values as low as 20. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Friday
Snow likely, mainly after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 46. Wind chill values as low as 19 early. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Friday Night
Snow before 1am, then rain and snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 26. South southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Saturday
Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 7am. High near 35. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow likely, mainly before 4pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 31. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night
A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Monday
Snow likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Southwest wind 5 to 10 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

High Sierra Waterfalls Home Page