cathedral lakes trailhead to yosemite valley

Normally I don't hike in boots but I was glad I was on this trip. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. In the morning we headed up to Upper Cathedral Lake and took in some amazing scenery. We headed off to Lower Cathedral Lake this time since we only went to the Upper Lake last time. Best Season: Summer/ Fall One of the most popular of Yosemite’s high country destinations has to be Cathedral Lakes. We saw alot of day hikers heading up carrying light loads moving pretty quick. Box 1499 , Sacramento, CA, 95812-1499, Phone: 800-862-2543. I will have to try for the lottery to add the permit. There are three main summits to Cathedral Rocks dubbed Higher, Middle, and Lower Cathedral Rocks. Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest is a 36.9 kilometer moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Beautiful lake, but knocking a star because to be honest I think there are prettier hikes in Yosemite. It sure seemed longer than the miles indicated and although it was beautiful, it seemed pitifully dry this time of year. Yosemite – Cathedral Lakes Hike As far as hikes from Tuolumne Meadows go, the Cathedral Lakes hike is my favorite. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. From there we hiked 10 miles to clouds rest, then 10 miles back to our site. Drive 9.5 miles on Big Oak Flat Road to Tioga Road. This trail is part of the John Muir Trail and continues for miles to the south, past the Sunrise High Sierra Camp and Yosemite Valley all the way to Mt. To camp at Little Yosemite Valley: Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley Near the top of the climb, it passes a spur trail to Lower Cathedral Lake (0.5 mile to lake). We packed up camp and headed down past the other two Sunrise Lakes and stopped by the lowest Sunrise Lake that was gorgeous and appeared to have some great campsites. Lol. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. This is a point to point hike that will require a ride back from the Yosemite Valley to Mammoth Lakes. As the minutes ticked by, we passed the time drinking … Starts at Sunrise Lakes Trailhead and ends in Yosemite Valley. Only 3½ miles from Tuolumne Meadows, the lakes are a wonderful weekend destination and also a favorite stopping place for John Muir Trail Hikers coming up from Yosemite Valley. From Yosemite Valley, take highway 140 northwest for 10 miles (16 km) up out of the valley to the Crane Flat junction, where the Tioga Road begins. When we visit Mammoth in the summertime, we’ve been known to make a special trip Yosemite via the Tiago Road to do this hike. available from this stretch of the Tioga Road range from relatively level forested hikes to Yosemite Valley’s north rim to trails plummeting deep into Yosemite’s northernmost canyons. It's not my … The area is popular with rock climbers. We have 4 days in Yosemite in August, staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge and we plan arrive from the east via Tioga Rd and Tuolumne meadows the first day, hike to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point one day, hike from Glacier Point via Panorama and Mist trails to the valley floor another day. Getting there: The trailhead is at the west end of Tenaya Lake; look for the lot with the "Sunrise" sign. Highlights: Waterfalls. When we finally reached the bottom we were toast. Region of the Park / Trailhead: Yosemite Valley / Yosemite Falls trailhead; This trail takes you to the top of Yosemite Falls, but remember that the best views of the falls are not from the top! The Lakes Past the lake, the John Muir Trail rises gently up a slope to Cathedral Pass, the highest point on the route between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. A row of cars was already parked along the road when I got there. Gla cier Point Loop. Number of days: 4. Type of trail: Point-to-point. After a night at Cathedral Lakes, some may elect to continue their trip along the John Muir Trail, descending all the way to Yosemite Valley, about 19 miles from Upper Cathedral Lake. It was peaceful and quiet up here and fortunately the wind didn't blow in the smoke. Tenaya Lake itself is on the Tioga Pass Road near the eastern end of Yosemite National Park. Of the many lakes reached by short hikes along the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park, Upper and Lower Cathedral Lake are generally thought to be the most beautiful, each surrounded by meadows and granite cliffs, without too many trees to block the views of nearby mountains. Can’t go wrong with either one :). You can … Head for the water's edge, or alternatively try a circuitous route of the lake. For us, the deciding variable was crowds. The air quality here was significantly better than in other areas of the park, so we lucked out. Upper Cathedral is much more cozy and feels more tucked away, surrounded by meadows and grasses. The trail back down Tenaya Canyon to our 2nd vehicle was brutal. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket … That said, you'll never find Yosemite-Valley levels of crowds here. Our final night’s camp is in Little Yosemite Valley. Whitney, which, according to a sign at the top of Nevada Fall, is only another 215 miles (346 km) away. The red line shows the route from the trailhead at Tuolumne Meadows to Upper Cathedral Lake. The trail climbs steadily to Upper Cathedral Lakes. The trail is primarily used for hiking, rock climbing, camping, and backpacking. On the far side is more flat grassland, flanked by low, woody hills; distant views southwards towards the valley are not for another mile or so. Near the top of the climb, it passes a spur trail to Lower Cathedral Lake (0.5 mile to lake). These two lakes area as beautiful as you'll find. Tuolumne Meadow to Cathedral Pass is a 8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Distance: 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round trip to the first lake; 8.8 miles (14 km) round trip to see all three Trailhead Elevation: 8,150 feet (2,450 meters) Total Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet (395 meters) Hiking Time: 4 - 6 hours Why visit the Sunrise Lakes? The trailhead does not scream at you here I am like others, so be watchful after Tenaya Lake. Along side of the lake a beautiful meadow filled with wildflowers adds color to this amazing landscape. The climb up is basically your average forested Sierra hiking—some pretty trees, ascending at an appropriately moderate rate so that you just feel tired doing it but also make your way up pretty quickly. Yosemite – Cathedral Lakes Hike As far as hikes from Tuolumne Meadows go, the Cathedral Lakes hike is my favorite. John Muir Trail From Tioga Pass Road to the Merced River, Waterwheel Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Trail, Benson Pass - Northeast Yosemite Grand Tour, PCT: CA Section I - Tuolumne Meadow to Sonora Pass, John Muir Trail: Cathedral Lakes Trail to Clouds Rest, Tuolumne Meadow to White Wolf via Pacific Crest Trail, Cathedral Lakes Trailhead to Yosemite Valley via Half Dome, Tuolumne Meadows to Tenaya Lake via Pacific Crest and Glen Aulin Trails. Elevation gain it cathedral lakes trailhead to yosemite valley best used from March until November to Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley and at points... At an elevation of 9288′ and an occasional timid marmot for backpackers, day hikers backpackers. List and descriptors, I 'm still quite confused Meadows to Upper Cathedral Lakes ; is... Annual Pass for $ 70 off up to the trailhead does not scream at you here I am others. Started up the Cathedral Lakes draws both day hikers heading up carrying light loads moving pretty quick in 3.5! 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