Minaret Lake to Cecile Lake: How Tough/Dangerous?

[Eigenguy]

Now that I have hiked to Ediza Lake, I'd like to hike to Minaret Lake. I'd really like to get to Cecile Lake and then take a picture of Iceberg Lake from above (because it looks very steep between Cecile and Iceberg).

I've hard varying opinions on the difficulty of getting to Cecile from Minaret, from easy to don't do it. I am a hiker, not a mountain/rock climber and do not have climbing gear (just trekking poles).

What are your thoughts? Does this spur require climbing or gear? I've done some mild rock climbing out of necessity (got stuck at the far end of TJ Lake and climbed to the ridge above), but nothing formal.

[AlmostThere]

You can see the trail from Iceberg to Cecile on Google Earth.

[Eigenguy]

I am asking about Minaret -> Cecile.

Satellite view makes it look like there is a way to Cecile by hiking along Minaret Creek without bouldering.

[tie]

Here's my satellite track from the other day: https://www.strava.com/activities/668508321 . You can zoom in to Minaret Creek -> Cecile.



There is a trail and it is fairly easy to follow. It is steep, but not as steep as the trail from Iceberg to Cecile. It is not dangerous at all---no exposure, no climbing moves, just a moderately steep trail.

Note that the trail goes up north of Minaret Creek, wrapping around a small rise next to Cecile. (From my GPS track it looks like I went off the trail at the very top, but at that point it doesn't matter.) I think it is also possible to go closer to Minaret Creek, but I would follow the trail if I were you.

[Beantown]

Here's my satellite track from the other day: https://www.strava.com/activities/668508321 . You can zoom in to Minaret Creek -> Cecile.



There is a trail and it is fairly easy to follow. It is steep, but not as steep as the trail from Iceberg to Cecile. It is not dangerous at all---no exposure, no climbing moves, just a moderately steep trail.

Note that the trail goes up north of Minaret Creek, wrapping around a small rise next to Cecile. (From my GPS track it looks like I went off the trail at the very top, but at that point it doesn't matter.) I think it is also possible to go closer to Minaret Creek, but I would follow the trail if I were you.

I hiked it last year and followed roughly the red line, between minaret and cecil there was not a trail i recall. between the 2 bumps/hills I went over class 3 moves. going down from cecil to iceberg is class 2, and there is a steep rocky loose chute you can descend.

[maverick]

I hiked it last year and followed roughly the red line, between minaret and cecil there was not a trail i recall. between the 2 bumps/hills I went over class 3 moves.

You missed the use trail then, there are no class 3 moves, somewhat steep and loose in places but no big deal. Did this section 4 times last year, Ediza to Minaret, during the search for evidence in the Matt Greene case.

[Beantown]

I hiked it last year and followed roughly the red line, between minaret and cecil there was not a trail i recall. between the 2 bumps/hills I went over class 3 moves.

You missed the use trail then, there are no class 3 moves, somewhat steep and loose in places but no big deal. Did this section 4 times last year, Ediza to Minarets, during the search for evidence in the Matt Greene case.

yeah i was defiantly not on a use trail, not did i know about it lol. i remember scrambling up some slabs and going up through a choke point.

[Eigenguy]

Here's my satellite track from the other day: https://www.strava.com/activities/668508321 . You can zoom in to Minaret Creek -> Cecile.



There is a trail and it is fairly easy to follow. It is steep, but not as steep as the trail from Iceberg to Cecile. It is not dangerous at all---no exposure, no climbing moves, just a moderately steep trail.

Note that the trail goes up north of Minaret Creek, wrapping around a small rise next to Cecile. (From my GPS track it looks like I went off the trail at the very top, but at that point it doesn't matter.) I think it is also possible to go closer to Minaret Creek, but I would follow the trail if I were you.

Awesome! Thanks! This helps a ton. I am not nearly as worried now.

There is a Class III notch described by Roper apparently, but it seems nobody takes that route.

[maverick]

There is a Class III notch described by Roper apparently, but it seems nobody takes that route.

There are a couple of routes, one requires a few class 5 moves, but the described use trail is the easiest, just don't miss the spur trail to the north (to your right) as the trail turns west and heads up a little ways, if you arrive at the cliffs you have gone way to far.

[Vaca Russ]

Did this section 4 times last year, Ediza to Minaret, during the search for evidence in the Matt Greene case.

Here are pictures of one of those hikes:

P9140870.jpg

This is the most demanding portion of the hike:

P9140871.jpg

That is Maverick, Oleander and Jimr.

This is Maverick, Jim R and Oleander.

P9140872.jpg

I am, of course, hiking in back.

P9140873.jpg

I hope this helps.

-Russ