3 Cathedral Lakes

SCENERY:

TRAIL CONDITION:

CHILDREN:

DIFFICULTY:

SOLITUDE

DISTANCE: 7 miles round-trip (8 miles if you include lower Cathedral Lake)

HIKING TIME: 4–5 hours

OUTSTANDING FEATURES: Upper and lower Cathedral Lakes; stunning views of the Cathedral Range, including Cathedral Peak, as well as Echo and Tresidder peaks

The Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes are two alpine jewels glistening amidst the grandeur of their namesake mountain range. A 1,000-foot climb from Tuolumne Meadows, the gorgeous sister lakes sit regally in a classic glacial cirque. The hike begins in the shade of lodgepole pines and other neighboring conifers before opening up to more expansive views. The climb is never more than a moderate ascent, but it can still feel unrelenting on a hot day. Your reward is a cool dip in these picture-perfect lakes, two of the region’s finest, with striking views of the surrounding peaks.

DIRECTIONS: The Cathedral Lakes trailhead is in the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park off Tioga Road (CA 120 East). There is a parking area just south of CA 120, less than 2 miles west of the visitor center (Shuttle Stop #6). There is no formal lot here, just pullouts, so you may also opt to park at the visitor center and ride the bus to Shuttle Stop #7. This free park shuttle service runs from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. along Tioga Road from Tuolumne Lodge to Olmsted Point from July 4 through Labor Day. You can also walk from the visitor center to the trailhead by heading east on the path found behind the visitor-center building until you reach the juncture with the Cathedral Lakes Trail (about 1 mile).

GPS coordinates		CATHEDRAL LAKES
UTM zone (WGS84)		11S
Easting		0290487
Northing		4194459
Latitude		N 37°52′24.75″
Longitude		W 119°22′55.46″

From the Cathedral Lakes trailhead (8,630 feet), follow the John Muir Trail (JMT) southwest away from Tioga Road. The trail designations can be tricky here, sometimes marked as the JMT, sometimes marked as Cathedral Lakes, and sometimes marked as Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Follow the trail up the initially dusty path away from the highway, and encounter a series of shaded switchbacks beneath fir and lodgepole pine trees that rise sharply for half a mile out of the meadow. Despite the initial shade, this is still best attempted before the midday heat.

As you gain altitude, the scenery changes from hemlock-strewn meadows and thatches of wood to broader expanses with views of granite giants. After a slight plateau, encounter a second push of moderate to steep grade. Cross Cathedral Creek and several springs while following the west flank of Cathedral Peak. The Cathedral Range separates the Tuolumne and Merced rivers. The range is named for its celebrated peak, as glacial activity has given the mountain a distinctive double pinnacle outline reminiscent of a grand cathedral. As the horizontal view increases, look for the appropriately named Sawtooth Ridge with jagged spires and Matterhorn Peak.

Not surprisingly, this trail sees a lot of use, as it’s a major thoroughfare for backpackers and day-trippers alike making their way into the backwoods via Tuolumne. Watch the trail to avoid horse manure, as this is the resupply route for pack trains traveling to Sunrise High Sierra Camp.

After 3 miles and just under 1,000 feet of climbing, the first juncture points to Upper Cathedral Lake to the right (west). A half-mile trail brings you through pine woods and hemlock shading to follow a rippling inlet stream that bounces along a meadow before reaching Lower Cathedral Lake (9,288 feet). Nestled snugly under the watchful eye of Cathedral Peak (10,840 feet), the lake is a photographer’s dream. Lower Cathedral Lake tends to be the less crowded of the two, as many hikers and backpackers stay on the main John Muir Trail to Upper Cathedral Lake. But this spur trail is worth a detour to see this stunning subalpine beauty cradled in a granite bowl. If you brave an icy dip, there are plenty of broad rocky expanses where you can sit and warm yourself. After a wet winter season, be prepared for muddy and wet meadow walks en route to the lake in spring and early summer.

Return the way you came to the junction and continue up the trail another half mile toward Sunrise High Sierra Camp to reach Upper Cathedral Lake (9,585 feet). This sister lake is also ringed by granite, with a shallow sandy basin, and placid water reflecting the impressive form of Cathedral Peak. Look east to admire the dramatic neighboring pinnacles of Tresidder and Echo. The upper lake is said to have better fishing and is more popular with anglers.

Once again retracing your steps, it’s a sandy 3.5 miles through wildflower-strewn meadows and shady switchbacks from Upper Cathedral Lake back to the trailhead.

PERMIT INFORMATION: No permits necessary for day hikes