TR Fern/Beck Lakes Loop From Devil's Postpile NM 8/11-8/15
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:29 am
Dates: August 11-15, 2014.
Mosquitos: 0
Equipment: Backpacking/Bear Cans
Summary: From Devil's Postpile up Snow Canyon (Fern Lake Trailhead permit), return down Beck Lakes trail.
Experience: 1 experienced thru-hiker, two novices.
Special: Camped overnight before trip at Devil's Postpile National Monument campground;(easy to secure a first come, first served site on a Monday at 2 PM ($14/night). Parked vehicle near the trailhead (0.3 miles north of Devil's Postpile Ranger Station) in a backcountry parking area. Parking area has a bear locker for use during your trip.
Enjoy your beautiful 15 to 25 mile 4 day backpacking loop! Use the Tom Harrison Devils Postpile Minarets Map. You won't need to take the shuttle into this area if you camp in the valley. Just pay the $10 use fee at the Minaret Summit Forest Service Kiosk and tell the guard you are camping at one of the many Forest Service campsites or the Devils Postpile campsite. (They have a list of the still open first served campsites available.) If its not a weekend, you shouldn't have any trouble getting a campsite. You could even enter the valley after 7 PM and stealth camp at the backcountry parking area if necessary (just sayin'). You will still pay the use fee if you come back out before 7 PM on the day of your exit, or just drive straight out if after 7 PM. Easy Peasy...
Mosquitos: 0
Equipment: Backpacking/Bear Cans
Summary: From Devil's Postpile up Snow Canyon (Fern Lake Trailhead permit), return down Beck Lakes trail.
Experience: 1 experienced thru-hiker, two novices.
Special: Camped overnight before trip at Devil's Postpile National Monument campground;(easy to secure a first come, first served site on a Monday at 2 PM ($14/night). Parked vehicle near the trailhead (0.3 miles north of Devil's Postpile Ranger Station) in a backcountry parking area. Parking area has a bear locker for use during your trip.
Enjoy your beautiful 15 to 25 mile 4 day backpacking loop! Use the Tom Harrison Devils Postpile Minarets Map. You won't need to take the shuttle into this area if you camp in the valley. Just pay the $10 use fee at the Minaret Summit Forest Service Kiosk and tell the guard you are camping at one of the many Forest Service campsites or the Devils Postpile campsite. (They have a list of the still open first served campsites available.) If its not a weekend, you shouldn't have any trouble getting a campsite. You could even enter the valley after 7 PM and stealth camp at the backcountry parking area if necessary (just sayin'). You will still pay the use fee if you come back out before 7 PM on the day of your exit, or just drive straight out if after 7 PM. Easy Peasy...