But after that, the trail is surprisingly flat for the next mile or so. Backpacking Ediza Lake | Ansel Adams Wilderness, Delta Lake Hike | Grand Teton National Park Hiking, Alice Lake Hike | Sawtooth Wilderness Backpacking, Backpacking the 20 Lakes Basin | Eastern Sierra. 12 reviews of Yosemite Cathedral Lakes "Magnificent. We both looked around and marveled at how immensely beautiful the lake was, particularly with Cathedral Peak reflecting perfectly in its waters. Hello! I can only imagine how busy this area would be in the peak of summer! Budd Lake ~ Cathedral Lakes Loop Yosemite National Park: July 14, 2009. Once the sun had set and the pink disappeared, it was time to strap on our headlamps and head back down to the car. Youâll have views of Cathedral Peak, Echo and Tresidder Peaks, as well as Tenaya Lake, which hangs beneath a wide rock shelf that borders the eastern shore of the lower lake. Great area for sunrise and sunsets too. Lower Cathedral Lake is among the most impressive of Yosemite's granite-wrapped High Sierra lakes. If the backcountry solitude wasn’t enough, we were soon greeted by a pink hue that lit up the sky. For most people, a trip to Cathedral Lakes is a major part of any Yosemite vacation. It’s hard to imagine a better sight than what we were witness to. Your email address will not be published. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. While the hike to Cathedral Lakes isn’t especially difficult compared to some of the hikes in Yosemite, it’s mostly the elevation that will get you. After approximately 4 miles of quiet solitude in the forest, you will reach Cathedral Lakes: a pair of high alpine lakes surrounded by the quintessential green meadows that Yosemite is famous for. After about 1 mile, an unmarked trail will appear on your left â it is a less-traveled path, primarily taken by climbers. Perhaps one of our favorite parts of Lower Cathedral Lake is how much better the views get as you walk around the lake. There are great spots to chill on south side of the lake. The pass is your gateway to an endless array of Yosemite hikes and backpacking trips that most visitors to Yosemite Valley will never step foot on. Tioga Rd, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA 95389, USA, © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. While Julie took photos of Cathedral Peak (looking in the opposite direction of the lake), I used this opportunity to enjoy my PB&J and snap some photos on my iPhone. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. It is a bit of a challenging climb, but the lakes are well worth the effort. A great expanse of granite is laid out in front of the lake, making it easy to stretch out and enjoy the views. Cathedral Lakes One of the most iconic destination outside of Yosemite Valley is Cathedral Lakes. The Cathedral Lakes are two lakes located South of tuolumne meadow the lower lake is located at elevation 9,288 feet, while the upper lake is located at elevation 9,585 feet. To camp at Little Yosemite Valley: Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley Cathedral Lakes. Overview Here is the map. What had prevented us from making the trip up until this year had been the debate over whether to visit the lakes as a day-hike or an overnight backpacking trip. Starting from the Tuolumne Meadows parking lot, this trail wanders through the classic High Sierra forest with large white granite boulders and pine trees. The route has been so thoroughly studied that I haven't even bothered to pack a map. The Cathedral Lakes trailhead is one of the more popular destinations in the Tuolumne Meadows region of Yosemite, so you can expect crowds to frequent this area whenever the road is open. From what we could tell, it didnât look like it was accessible by normal means so I settled for this somewhat poor view of it (and hence poor photo). Cathedral Lakes Trail is 7 mi /11.3 km roundtrip with an elevation change of 1000 ft/300 m with a 1 mi/1.6 km roundtrip spur trail to the Lower Cathedral Lake. Cathedral Lakes on our way to Yosemite Valley below The Golden Triangle An Addition to our Tahoe to Whitney Hike . Still, it wonât be anything compared to the bus loads of people you see in the Valley, but donât expect a ton of solitude during peak season. It is not crowded at all. Camping is not allowed on the Panorama Trail or near Illilouette Fall. Two alpine lakes, in the high country of Yosemite, far away from the crowds of the Valley, make this an idyllic destination. Yosemite â Cathedral Lakes Hike As far as hikes from Tuolumne Meadows go, the Cathedral Lakes hike is my favorite. Lower Cathedral Lake is typically less populated than nearby Upper Lake and has some of the mot beautiful scenery on the JMT. Take in views of the 10,900 foot Cathedral Peak. Map includes surrounding trails, campsites, trail elevation profile. If you’re planning on visiting Upper Cathedral Lake (as we did), know that you will have to hike back to this junction and continue on to reach it. Once you arrive at the lake, turn around to get sweeping views of Cathedral Peak, rising like a spire before you. Cathedral Peak is part of the Cathedral Range, a mountain range in the south-central portion of Yosemite National Park in eastern Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties. We saw one couple on the trail. 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. Cathedral Lakes, located near Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, is an extremely popular hiking, climbing, and backpacking destination. This trail will lead you ... Backpack Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. Sunrise/Sunset are incredible and the mountain reflection on the lake is breath-taking. John Muir made the first ascent of Cathedral Peak in 1869, possibly the first class 4 climb to be made anywhere in the Sierra.The SE Buttress is an extremely popular route among climbers ⦠We would hike to Cathedral Lakes as day-trip, but would stay for sunset and then hike out in the dark. Dates of opening and closing vary with each year’s snowfall, so it’s best to check the park website before planning a trip. Trekking Cathedral Lakes in Yosemite National Park. One of the most stunning peaks in Yosemite, Cathedral is blessed with some great moderate climbing. If youâre planning a visit to Yosemite National Park, please check out my other posts about Yosemite for ideas of things to do and photography tips. In this video, I'm doing an amazing hike to Cathedral Lakes in the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park. One caveat of Tioga Pass is its seasonal access as the road is open once all of the snow has been cleared. HI, I am Nadav from Israel. Horses are also able to use this trail. Beyond the lake, and atop the granite, there is a beautiful view of Tenaya Lake, below in the distance. Upper Pines Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain R... Donohue Pass lies on the border of Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Wilderness. 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