Yosemite Cathedral Lakes Day Hiking Tour
Spend a day hiking in Yosemite National Park’s wild backcountry on this guided trek to Cathedral Lakes! The Cathedral Lakes hike starts at 8,570 feet (2,612 m) elevation surrounded by old growth pine forest before the trail steadily climbs to Lower and Upper Cathedral Lakes. After ascending nearly 1,000 feet in 3.6 miles we reach Lower Cathedral lake. The views from Lower Cathedral Lake of the Yosemite Valley and of towering Cathedral Peak make our climb well worth the effort! While resting on the granite banks keep your eyes peeled for views of the deer that often graze near the lake shore.
Another 1.5 miles and 300 vertical feet (91 m) of hiking bring us to Upper Cathedral Lake. Upper Cathedral Lake is tucked away inside a granite bowl surrounded by both Cathedral and Tresidder Peaks. After a rewarding lunch and a bit of relaxation we’ll descend on the same well-maintained trail back to the Cathedral Lakes trailhead.
This tour is available during the summer season!
What's Included
Tour Price Includes
- Professional Wilderness First Responder certified guide
- Water and snacks
- Trail lunch spread: includes a selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, smoked meats, cheese, hummus, and crackers to best accommodate gluten free and plant-based diets.
- Daypack rental
- Trekking poles rental
- 1:7 guide to hiker ratio
What to Bring
Required Gear
Waterproof or water resistant jacket (seasonal) and the capacity to carry at least 3 liters of water.
Clothing
Layered clothing appropriate for hiking and changing weather conditions. Baselayers, an insulating midlayer, and a shell will work together to keep you comfortable. A fleece or ‘puffy’ jacket or vest is highly recommended, as is a fleece hat and gloves.
Shoes
Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots or trail running shoes are required. Synthetic or wool socks are recommended.
Miscellaneous
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, handwarmers, hiking poles, rain pants, supplemental snacks, gratuity for your guide.
Upgrades + Additions
Private Tour
$200 per group. No other parties may add to your tour.
Transportation from AutoCamp Yosemite (pending availability)
Up to 10 people – $100 per group
Larger groups – call to inquire
Rates
Rates
- Per Person $ 175 175
Days & Times
Tour Days
Available June-September
Departure Times
Activity duration: 4-6 hours
Advance reservations are required
Itinerary
On the Day of Your Tour
You will meet at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center parking lot a few minutes before your scheduled departure time.
After booking your tour you will receive a confirmation email with the details of your tour, including the date, meeting time, meeting location, cancellation policy, and a receipt of your tour purchase. This email will also contain an electronic waiver that you must complete before your tour. For ground transportation options into Yosemite, check out the YARTS bus.
Hikers must be at least 12 years old to join our scheduled Yosemite hikes. Younger hikers can be accommodated on private tours. You can expect that you may be with another group on your tour unless you have booked a private tour. Your guide can plan accordingly for varied skill levels and choose routes that fit the needs of everyone in the group.
- Meet Location: Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center Parking Lot
- Hiking Distance: 8+ miles
Natural History of Yosemite Park:
Yosemite National Park’s soaring granite cliffs and leaping waterfalls make it unique among the natural wonders of this world. But the wonder of Yosemite doesn’t stop there. The park is filled with groves of giant trees, covered with lush carpets of green, teaming with forrest critters, criss crossed by snow fed streams and punctuated by rocky granite peaks. This makes it a wonderful destination for all kinds of adventure including hiking, backpacking, climbing, and more.
The history of Yosemite is the history of the world’s public land parks, being designated the first park of its kind in 1864 to be managed by the state of California. Yosemite would ultimately become part of the National Park system in 1890 However, for centuries before the park was protected for the enjoyment of all, it was home to the Awahnee tribe of Native Americans. They thrived in and around Yosemite Valley, harvesting acorns and hunting deer. They regularly traded with the Mono Paiute and Sierra Miwok tribes. Before any humans had even laid eyes on the enchanting Yosemite Valley, glaciers covered the ancient Sierra Nevada mountains. These massive instruments of destruction cut and tore at the layers of rock that made up this spine of rock. Once they retreated, they left behind the unique U-shaped Valleys, vertical cliffs, sharp peaks, and polished domes that are the foundation to this National Park, one of the greatest mountain landscapes of the world.
Yosemite National Park’s soaring granite cliffs and leaping waterfalls make it unique among the natural wonders of this world. But the wonder of Yosemite doesn’t stop there. The park is filled with groves of giant trees, covered with lush carpets of green, teaming with forrest critters, criss crossed by snow fed streams and punctuated by rocky granite peaks. This makes it a wonderful destination for all kinds of adventure including hiking, backpacking, climbing, and more.
The history of Yosemite is the history of the world’s public land parks, being designated the first park of its kind in 1864 to be managed by the state of California. Yosemite would ultimately become part of the National Park system in 1890 However, for centuries before the park was protected for the enjoyment of all, it was home to the Awahnee tribe of Native Americans. They thrived in and around Yosemite Valley, harvesting acorns and hunting deer. They regularly traded with the Mono Paiute and Sierra Miwok tribes. Before any humans had even laid eyes on the enchanting Yosemite Valley, glaciers covered the ancient Sierra Nevada mountains. These massive instruments of destruction cut and tore at the layers of rock that made up this spine of rock. Once they retreated, they left behind the unique U-shaped Valleys, vertical cliffs, sharp peaks, and polished domes that are the foundation to this National Park, one of the greatest mountain landscapes of the world.