A Backpack Cross-Country Traverse of the Minarets

Do you suppose someone long ago looked at a skyline like this and came up with the idea of a saw? Further proof that we were in the heart of the minarets: a jagged skyline festooned with glaciers (one with a crevasse in sight), meadow and talus.

Deadhorse Lake Minarets

A Cross-Country Traverse of the Minarets, August/September 2006

We spent some time sitting taking in the sights to the music of falling and swirling water near the outlet. With all those rock faces and all the guide books, you would think the place would be swarming with rock climbers. In my travels, I have seen few of those. Maybe they are just too far away to see.

The fang of Minaret Lake towers in the distance. Note the Indian Paintbrush on the lake shore lawn. As usual, the lake waters are crystal clear, but I did not see any fish.

Again I marveled at the many flowers so late in the season, undoubtedly due to the previous heavy and late winter. Still, there was little more snow than usual, but what remained watered the Sierra gardens and kept them blooming. Lower down the gardens provided pockets of contrast to the dry expanses of forest and the deserts of talus and rock.

This lake boasts an island! Swim or wade on over. You first.

After a while and a drink of cold water or two, we reluctantly turned our feet down hill and back to our packs. It was certainly worthwhile to visit this lake. Just another lake among many others in the area to choose from worth seeing. It is a wonder it lost its National Park status when the old Yosemite Park boundary was moved. Certainly the Minarets area is as spectacular as any National Park.