Cycling Minaret Summit East
Ride 5.7 miles gaining 1,239’ to elevation 9,232’ at 4% average grade.
Minaret Vista - climb finish
In the photo above you see the jagged peaks that inspired the name Minaret for the viewpoint also seen in the photo.
The peaks were named in 1868 by the California Geographical Survey, which reported: "To the south of Mount Ritter are some grand pinnacles of granite, very lofty and apparently inaccessible, to which we gave the name of 'the Minarets.” Wikipedia
The Minarets
View west of the Minarets near the top of the climb.
Same location as the photo above.
The Minarets are located in the Ritter Range which is a sub-range of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area is more popular for winter sports at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, but cycling is also a worthy alternative as well as a trip to Devils Postpile National Monument which is located 1 ½ miles west of the start of the Minaret West bike climb.
Start the climb by riding northwest up Hwy 203 from its junction with Lake Mary Road, Mammoth Lakes
Pass by Mammoth Ski Resort at mile 4.2
Minaret Vista - finish.
That’s a wrap!!
DEVIL’S POSTPILE NATIONAL MONUMENT
“Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery. The formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world's finest examples of columnar basalt. Its columns tower 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry.” NPS Devils Postpile.