Just above the saddle on San Joaquin Ridge, where the road from Main Lodge begins its steep, winding descent into the Reds Meadow Valley, there is a parking area and vista point offering one of the most iconic views in the entire Sierra Nevada. Across the valley to the west rise the imposing granite spires of the Minarets, Mt. Ritter and Mt. Banner in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Interpretive signage and viewing tubes help to locate individual peaks. Both the Starkweather and Mountain View trails begin (or end) here, as do a number of trails leading up the ridge. Winter access is by snowmobile, snowshoes or skis.