A Backpack Cross-Country Traverse of the Minarets

The crossing of Minaret Creek.

Closing the Loop and Trails End

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

It looks like there was some rerouting of the trail along this section of the JMT, and I could see sections of old trail off to one side, so it may not match the map exactly if you are looking or GPS-ing. In any case, the next thing to see was a new to me two log bridge (see above) over the slow moving Minaret Creek.

The valley of the San Joaquin River and the Postpile, and beyond, the ridge of Minaret Summit.

After that I passed near where some maps say the Minaret Falls are (see the picture above), but there is not much to see unless you leave the  trail and look around. Be careful and don't fall into the deep joint of the creek bed.

The last "stream" crossing, very volcanic looking, just before entering Devils Postpile National Monument.

One last log bridge (see picture above) marked the entrance to the Devils Postpile National Monument and a plethora of trails. You have to be careful and make sure you take the right paths. At the PCT junction, I went right across though I had some momentary doubt it was the right way. The trail skirted a meadow area and finally hit the bridge over the San Joaquin River (on the EAST side of the Sierra!). After crossing the river I found Dave patiently waiting for me, and after a short animated discussion of what we had seen and done, we headed back to the Ranger Station and bus. Dave said later I did not realize what a great trip it was until he saw the pictures, even though he knew it was a good trip when he was on the trail. Sometimes it hits you that way.

And so ended a very good, even epic trip in the Sierra and Minarets. It took far longer to write up this story than to hike it! This story was a LOT of work, believe me. If you choose to do this trip, HAPPY TRAILS!