Minaret Summit, an iconic road in the Sierra Nevada

Minaret Summit is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.824m (9,265ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Mono and Madera counties, in the US state of California. It's one of the highest mountain roads of California.

Minaret Summit

Nestled in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range, the scenic drive up to the summit is totally paved. It’s called California State Route 203 (aka Minaret Road). The summit receives significant snowfall during the winter. Dates of closure vary depending on the weather, but Minaret Summit is generally not open to vehicular traffic between late November and early April.

Starting from Mammoth Lakes, the road to the summit is 9.97km (6.2 miles) long. It’s a steep drive, averaging a 5.4% grade. The summit hosts a small parking lot, picnic tables, bathroom facilities and the Minaret Vista Point, with some of the best views in all the eastern Sierras. Make sure to enjoy the breathtaking views of Mt. Ritter, Mt. Banner, and of course, the Minarets.
Pic: Josh Wray

 

 

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