The Minarets

Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, High Sierra, California — a perfect place to observe my 30th birthday during the later stages of the 1987 American backpacking extravaganza.

A 30th Birthday in the High Sierra

I was looking for a good place to observe my 30th birthday, and the Minarets turned out to be the perfect place.

During the later stages of the three-month 1987 American backpacking extravaganza, my 30th birthday was approaching. I wanted to find a place that felt worthy of that milestone, and this magnificent backcountry area in the High Sierra turned out to be exactly right. I backpacked into the Ansel Adams Wilderness one afternoon and ended up staying for several days.

I spent one night on Ediza Lake and another on Shadow Lake, surrounded by the Minarets, cold October mornings, glassy reflections, and that high-country feeling that makes it hard to leave. Anyone looking for an awesome backcountry area to explore should check into this place. It still stands out as one of the most memorable stops from that whole 1987 road trip.

Being there in October meant the temperatures dropped overnight, especially up high, but the cold mornings were part of the magic. I remember waking near sunrise, walking around the lake, and looking for a sunny spot where I could fix breakfast while the light slowly moved down the ridges.

Minarets and Ansel Adams Wilderness photo
I set up camp here a couple hours before sunset and went out to explore the ravines.
Minarets and Ansel Adams Wilderness photo
Walking around the lake gave a constantly changing perspective of both the horizon and the reflection off the lake.
Minarets and Ansel Adams Wilderness photo
Being October, and up pretty high, the temperatures dropped overnight. Here I am up at sunrise, walking around the lake, looking for a sunny spot to fix breakfast.
Minarets and Ansel Adams Wilderness photo
Early morning, waiting for the sun to peek over the ridgeline.

Ritter, Banner, and a reason to return

Next time I get out there, I will definitely be looking to climb Mount Ritter and Banner Peak, two awesome backcountry scrambles. The Minarets are one of those places that make you want to return before you have even finished leaving. The views change as you walk around the lakes, the reflections shift constantly, and the whole place feels like classic High Sierra wilderness.

This updated page keeps the original four photographs and captions from the old page, but makes the photos larger, clickable, and easier to read on modern screens.