North Manter Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Wilderness permits are not required, but a campfire permit is required for campfires. Pets are allowed so long as they are under control and do not harass the wildlife. This is a good area for early season hikes.

Manter Meadow is the largest meadow within the Domeland Wilderness. It is located at the south end of the Sierras, where the snow melt occurs much earlier than farther north. It is best in the spring or early summer when other areas are inaccessible.

The North Manter Trail-34E14, by itself, is not very exciting, but it can be combined with the South Manter Trail-34E37 and a part of the Woodpecker Trail-34E08, to make a beautiful day hike that loops around the meadow. Manter Meadow has several good campsites that can be used a base for hikes to any of several nearby rock formations: Church Dome, Bart Dome, Knuckles, Fist and others that are exotic, but unnamed. So few people visit the Domelands, that while this is one of the most popular spots, you may still have it entirely to yourself or you may see one or two other groups passing through.

The trailhead is on the northwest side of Big Meadow on 23S07, a dirt road suitable for most passenger cars. There is a great view of Big Meadow from just across the road from the trailhead. From the road, the trail climbs about 400 feet in 0.6 miles to the ridge that separates the Salmon Creek and Manter Creek drainages. It then follows Manter Creek, under a shaded canopy of mixed conifers, down towards the Meadow. At least until early summer, you can hear the creek the entire distance. The trail is reasonably well maintained, although you'll probably have to hike around a few downed trees. There are no dramatic views.

As you near the meadow, the trail passes a spring and and old cabin. It curves towards the north, staying so far from the meadow that you see very little of it. The junction with the Woodpecker Trail #34E08 is well marked.

The Woodpecker Trail #34E08 runs long the east side of the Meadow. There is a good campsite about .25 miles south and at about 1.4 miles south, there is junction with the South Manter Trail-34E37, which will take you back to the road 23S07 at Big Meadow. You can then hike 0.6 miles north on the fairly level road to reach the starting point.

The ridge crossing on the South Manter Trail is about 300 feel lower than the crossing on the North Manter Trail.