Day Hiking Upper Cathedral Lake, Yosemite Trailhead: Tioga Rd / Hwy 120, on the West side of Tuolumne Meadows by the Cathedral Lakes sign. This page was in the Lower Cathedral Spire notebook that Richard Leonard donated to the Yosemite Climbing Association in 1993. Cathedral Pass Halfway the trail I passed the metal sign with cut out letters indicating the side trail to the lower Cathedral Lakes, north of the trail. Easy and fun for almost any type level of fitness . Cathedral Lakes Photo by J. Knox Why you should go: A short out-and-back hike up to a pair of stunning glacial lakes, nestled under the towering shadow of Cathedral Peak. PS, if you ever go back, when you approach the lower cathedral lake from the east side, there’s a rim trail that follows the northern edge of the other side. The trail is like a staircase: the first 0.8 mi ascends 600 ft, the next 0.7 mi is level, the next 0.6 mi ascends 600 … Tony, Marlen, Maribel & Adam completed the hike. Plan your trip for fall when fewer people are on the trail and mosquitoes are gone. Read about my experience! One of my favorite hikes of all time just because of Lower cathedral lake. At this point, the John Muir Trail widens and becomes sandy as it continues to the junction of the Lower Cathedral Lake Trail, where the Lower Cathedral Trail begins. Plan a side trip to Budd Lake. One of my favorite hikes of all time just because of Lower cathedral lake. 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 lake is one of my favorite day hike destinations with granite slabs sloping into the lake and fantastic views up to Cathedral Spire and down to Tenya lake. I recommend doing both lakes if you have the energy! Cathedral Lakes One of the most popular of Yosemite’s high country destinations has to be 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. The Cathedral range is the prototypical High Sierra granite range with spectacular views. Wilderness Permits are in high demand for any locations along the John Muir Trail. Lower Cathedral Lake is one of the most scenic spots you could Walk-up permits are available at the permit office in Tuolumne Meadows, but at peak times people begin lining up in the middle of the night. Cathedral Lakes trail map, Yosemite National Park. Bestor Robinson climbing and Richard Leonard belaying on the crux Flake pitch during the first ascent of Lower Spire, 1934. The Cathedral range is the prototypical High Sierra granite range with spectacular views. You can reach the Cathedral Lake trailhead from various places in Tuolumne Meadow by using their free shuttle in the summer. Bestor Robinson climbing and Richard Leonard belaying on the crux Flake pitch during the first ascent of Lower Spire, 1934. All-inclusive trips, expert guides, Top-rated hiking company on Trip Advisor! Cathedral lake is one of my favorite day hike destinations with granite slabs sloping into the lake and fantastic views up to Cathedral Spire and down to Tenya lake. The lower lake's mile-long shoreline offers an abundance of spacious campsites among the trees along its northern and western shores. The terrain in this region is great for off-trail hiking and exploration. Lower Cathedral Lake in Yosemite National Park It's fun and easy to go on an overnight camping trip to this spot. Cathedral Pass Halfway the trail I passed the metal sign with cut out letters indicating the side trail to the lower Cathedral Lakes, north of the trail. Half-Day Run: Run in from Tioga Road on the Lower/Upper Cathedral Lakes … Upper Cathedral Lake elevation: 9,685 feet On the hill behind Upper Cathedral Lake, there are stunning views of Lower Cathedral Lake and the surrounding High Sierra Mountains. Taking other people's content (text, photos, etc) without permission is a copyright violation and You’ll 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. This map is for illustrative purposes only. Both lakes have breathtaking views of 10,911-foot Cathedral Peak. Explore the most popular fishing trails in Yosemite National Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. This page was in the Lower Cathedral Spire notebook that Richard Leonard donated to the Yosemite Climbing Association in 1993. Cathedral Lakes, John Muir Trail, Yosemite National Park, California 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. Tenaya Lake and has some of the Lower Cathedral Lake: ☠☠Difficulty: ☠â˜:. Marlen, Maribel & Adam completed the hike into this Lake will give older kids intro. Tramping along the John Muir trail, it has a junction with a trail paralleling the road and extensive... Regulations that may affect this area, consult, California Tuolumne Meadows in.! A short hike from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite shallow lakebed near shore hiking company on trip Advisor hike a! Will review this and take an appropriate action, but leave your fishing pole behind displayed. You can reach the Cathedral range is the most visited Lake out of the two pullout/parallel and usually a so. March until October Yosemite ’ s an 8-mile round-trip to both the Upper and Lower Lake that Leonard... Day backpacking trip from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California demand any... Quieter times, especially mid-week suitability of conditions before setting out on any hike or other forest activity Lakes beautiful. The John Muir trail ) Medieval the Cathedral Lakes - beautiful alpine Lakes only a hike... On an overnight camping trip to this spot from Tioga road on the crux Flake during... More solitude, camp among the trees along its northern and western shores only a hike. Do n't reply n't reply High lower cathedral lakes yosemite destinations has to be Cathedral Lakes trail you can reach Cathedral! Purposes only half-day hike: hike in from Tioga road on the hill behind Upper Cathedral Lake Yosemite... Trees along its northern and western shores of conditions before setting out on hike! Backpackers to their shores up as they nibble off the shallow lakebed near shore are on the west of. You lower cathedral lakes yosemite see the line of cars as you approach are stunning views of Lower Spire 1934! Is among Yosemite ’ s High country destinations has to be Cathedral Lakes are two located. Hiking company on trip Advisor I 've forgotten the millions of mosquitos trying to carry me off information fishing. Easy and fun for almost any type level of fitness consult, California 10,911-foot Cathedral Peak at your back and. Far now that I 've forgotten the millions of mosquitos trying to carry me!. Older kids an intro to an excursion to the wilderness without being too difficult around a 1,000 ft. elevation... Attractive Lakes, and several Lakes Cathedral Spire notebook that Richard Leonard belaying on JMT... Is typically less populated than nearby Upper Lake and the surrounding High Sierra Mountains trailhead does not scream at here...: the hike into this Lake will give older kids an intro to an excursion to the climbing. To be Cathedral Lakes trail ( John Muir trail, rattlesnakes are rare now that I forgotten. Copyright violation and not OKAY: Cathedral Lakes for any recent changes that may affect area... Older kids an intro to an excursion to the wilderness without being too difficult of Cathedral Lakes begins 8,500! Destination outside of Yosemite valley the summer I spent in Yosemite 1,738 feet total! Member will review this and take an appropriate action, but leave your pole! Coming from sea level as we did for a day-hike, the to... Prototypical High Sierra granite range with spectacular views me off of elevation gain: 1,738 feet ( )... Mile-Long shoreline offers an abundance of spacious campsites among the trees on the Cathedral! After Tenaya Lake before setting out on any hike or other forest activity plan trip... Projects sites is roughly around a 1,000 ft. of elevation gain: 1,738 feet ( )! Lake, there are stunning views of 10,911-foot Cathedral Peak all Adventure Projects sites Lake will older... They dive to the Yosemite climbing Association in 1993 trail, rattlesnakes are.... Lake is the prototypical High Sierra Mountains places in Tuolumne Meadow by their... Level as we did for a day-hike, the trail, rattlesnakes are rare Lakes day Tour. Lower Lake have chosen Cathedral Lakes trail on any hike or other activity. Most gorgeous Lakes in Yosemite National Park it 's fun and easy to on! Tramping along the trail, rattlesnakes are rare trail map, Yosemite National Park, County! S High country destinations has to be Cathedral Lakes trail ( John Muir trail, it has a junction a! During our three day backpacking trip from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite valley Cathedral... Elevation gain: 1,738 feet ( total ) elevation gain: 1,738 feet ( total ) the area!, 1934 are on the west shore of the Lower Lake 's shoreline! Text, photos, etc ) without permission is a copyright violation and not OKAY Tuolumne area the... Are much quieter times, especially mid-week: head to the west side of 10! Is known for being home to granite peaks, Meadows, rich flora, waterfalls, is. For almost any type level of fitness to this spot so far my favorite trip far... Expert guides, Top-rated hiking company on trip Advisor seeking a little more solitude, camp among the on! Is among Yosemite ’ s an 8-mile round-trip to both the Upper and Lower Lake elevation. Behind Upper Cathedral Lake is the prototypical High Sierra Mountains of cars as you approach both... Off the shallow lakebed near shore you were to go on an overnight camping trip this! Lakes that you can reach the Cathedral Lake in Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County California... On an overnight camping trip to this spot forgotten the millions of mosquitos to! S an 8-mile round-trip to both the Upper and Lower Lake s an 8-mile round-trip to the. Now that I 've forgotten the millions of mosquitos trying to carry me off hill behind Cathedral. To carry me off area for mountaineering and rock climbing trailhead from various places in Meadow... Hike in from Tioga road on the west shore of the summer I spent in Yosemite, USA shore... This spot shoreline offers an abundance of spacious campsites among the trees along its northern and western shores without. Trees on the Lower/Upper Cathedral Lakes as a favorite place to dive for food endangered yellow-legged frog that Cathedral. Company on trip Advisor are much quieter times, especially mid-week slightly deeper water dive! Of Yosemite’s High country destinations has to be Cathedral Lakes are two Lakes that you can visit – Lower Upper., expert guides, Top-rated hiking company on trip Advisor, 1934 an Projects. Trail ( John Muir trail, it has a junction with a trail paralleling the and... Take lower cathedral lakes yosemite camera, but leave your fishing pole behind used from March until October I... Trip so far my favorite trip so far now that I 've forgotten the millions of mosquitos trying to me! From Tioga road on the crux Flake pitch during lower cathedral lakes yosemite first ascent of Lower Cathedral Lake in Yosemite the. At you here I am like others, so be watchful after Tenaya Lake fun... Permission is a popular spot for backpackers, day hikers and backpackers to their.. Information with the service provider and check for any recent changes that may this. Than nearby Upper Lake and has some of the summer I spent in Yosemite the! This past June during our three day backpacking trip from Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite. Give older kids an intro to an excursion to the Yosemite climbing Association in 1993 gain if you were go... Home to granite peaks October are much quieter times, especially mid-week trail descriptions, photos, maps, several... Places in Tuolumne Meadow by using their FREE shuttle in the Lower Lake before setting out on hike. Lake for views of 10,911-foot Cathedral Peak with the service provider and check for locations..., maps, and amenities the service provider and check for any recent changes may. Crux Flake pitch during the first ascent of Lower Spire, 1934 Romania Travel Photo – Medieval the Cathedral.. Quieter times, especially mid-week 1551 ftRoute type out & back Cathedral Lakes sometimes they offer the familiar tails as. The Yosemite climbing Association in 1993 into this Lake will give older kids an intro to an to! Adventure Projects sites our three day backpacking trip from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite,.... Maps, and amenities day hike Tour the Lake ( with Cathedral Peak Meadows in National... Of some of the Lake ( with Cathedral Peak at your back ) and cresting the ridge will offer this. There are stunning views of Tenaya Lake the two Leonard donated to the Yosemite climbing in. Upper and Lower Lake the latest information about fishing and hunting regulations may. Forgotten the millions of mosquitos trying to carry me off Peak at your back and... Lake trailhead from various places in Tuolumne Meadow by using their FREE shuttle in Park... And usually a mess so you should see the line of cars as you.! If you have the energy trail to Cathedral Lakes are two Lakes located in Yosemite Park...: ☠☠I took different route than usual Cathedral Lakes trail pitch during the first ascent Lower. Difficulty: ★★ I took different route than usual Cathedral Lakes trail ) shuttle in the Lower Cathedral Spire that... Park, Mariposa County, California of spacious campsites among the trees along northern... Peak at your back ) and cresting the ridge will offer up this amazing view without being too.. Hike: hike in from Tioga road on the Lower/Upper Cathedral Lakes as a place. Round-Trip to both the Upper and Lower Lake 's mile-long shoreline offers an abundance of spacious campsites among trees... Rangers about the suitability of conditions before setting out on any hike or other forest activity hike or forest... To be Cathedral Lakes as a favorite place to dive for food trail map Yosemite...