Minaret Vista

  • Just above the saddle on San Joaquin Ridge, where the road from Main Lodge begins its steep, winding descent into the Reds Meadow Valley, there is a parking area and vista point offering one of the most iconic views in the entire Sierra Nevada. Across the valley to the west rise the imposing granite spires of the Minarets, Mt. Ritter and Mt. Banner in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Interpretive signage and viewing tubes help to locate individual peaks. Both the Starkweather and Mountain View trails begin (or end) here, as do a number of trails leading up the ridge. Winter access is by snowmobile, snowshoes or skis.

  • Just above the saddle on San Joaquin Ridge, where the road from Main Lodge begins its steep, winding descent into the Reds Meadow Valley, there is a parking area and vista point offering one of the most iconic views in the entire Sierra Nevada. Across the valley to the west rise the imposing granite spires of the Minarets, Mt. Ritter and Mt. Banner in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Interpretive signage and viewing tubes help to locate individual peaks. Both the Starkweather and Mountain View trails begin (or end) here, as do a number of trails leading up the ridge. Winter access is by snowmobile, snowshoes or skis.

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Related Trails

Related Trails

Trail Length (mi) Surface Activities and Services
Minaret Vista Loop 0.2 Soil Hiking Interpretive
Minaret Vista Trail 1.2 Soil Hiking Interpretive Vista Viewing
Mountain View Trail 5.3 Soil Mountain Biking
Starkweather Trail 2.5 Soil Hiking

Related Experiences

Related Experiences

Experience Rating Length (mi) Surface Duration
Cross Country Skiing from MMSA Main Lodge to Minaret Vista 2.5 Snow Less than 4 hours
Hiking from Minaret Vista to Starkweather Lake 2.5 Soil Less than 4 hours
Hiking the Sierra Crest from Minaret Vista to Deadman Pass 4.1 Soil Less than 4 hours
Hiking to Minaret Vista - Adaptive Option 3.0 Soil Less than 4 hours
Mountain Biking the Mountain View Trail 5.3 Soil Less than 4 hours
Mountain Biking the San Joaquin Ridge 5.0 Soil Less than 4 hours
Photography at Minaret Vista 0.2 Soil Less than 4 hours
Road Biking to Minaret Vista 13.8 Asphalt Less than 4 hours
Snowmobiling Shady Rest to Minaret Vista 23.2 Snow Half day
Snowshoeing from MMSA Main Lodge to Minaret Vista 2.5 Snow Less than 4 hours
Vista Viewing from the Minaret Vista 0.2 Mixed Less than 4 hours
How to get involved Local recreation resources Experiences and ratings Finding your way around the MLTS Trail System Projects