Our first stop was Upper Cathedral Lake in Yosemite's back country. Upper Cathedral Lake via Andrews Creek Trail 504. Just a park entry reservation. The lakes are situated 1.6 km southwest of Cathedral Peak. A total 7.2 miles to upper lake sounds not so bad, but not with 30 pounds photo gears and a snow storm. Ahwahnee Hotel Yosemite National Park 19.9km - Yosemite National Park There are several ways to approach the lake. I trudged the four miles in to this spot sans snowshoes, postholing nearly every step and soaking my boots in the process. The return hike follows the same route. This is one of the busiest trails in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Located 65 miles west-northwest of Bishop California. Day 3: Upper Cathedral Lake to Upper Lyell (17.6 miles) Heather 2018-05-12T08:32:25-04:00 Day 3: Upper Cathedral Lake to Upper Lyell (17.6 miles) When I woke up, the air felt a bit cold and I was a little reluctant to get out of my cozy sleeping bag. It was remarkable how similar the plants and nature was to the Finnish archipelago. 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. The world's best photography spots. Great scenic views, with lush meadows and wildflowers. We saw one couple on the trail. Near the top of the climb, it passes a spur trail to Lower Cathedral Lake (0.5 mile to lake). Good fishing. Upper Cathedral Lake, Tuolumne, August 2000 Day 0: Friday, August 25th Day 1: Saturday, August 26th Day 2: Sunday, August 27th. Upper Cathedral Lake Yosemite National Park The Cathedral Lakes are two lakes located In Yosemite National Park, California. I woke up to a tent that was drenched from condensation. 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. I had closed my tent’s upwind storm doors, and apparently, it led to a lot of moisture in the tent. This was a great destination. Hike to Upper Cathedral Lake—either via the Cathedral Lake Trail or the fisherfolk trail that heads directly up the Cathedral Lakes drainage (just west of Dozier Dome). This shot is looking straight across the lake from our campsite. In the morning, the lake was smooth as glass. Day 2: Little Yosemite Valley to Upper Cathedral Lake (12.3 miles) I got up well before 7am, after a fitful night's sleep. Trail is about 8.2 miles round trip to the upper lake, 1500ft total elevation gain. Upper Cathedral Lake is one of the most photographed scenes in the Pasayten Wilderness, especially in the fall when the larch trees turn a brilliant gold against the backdrop of Cathedral Peak and Amphitheater Mountain. 10 Start down switchbacks into the Upper Cathedral Valley, where you are treated to views of rock castles and spires. Start at the cathedral lakes trailhead and continue all the way to the fork. At the south end of the lake is a bay (excellent swimming…) where a prominent rib of rock ends in a 60’ tall north facing cliff. Cathedral Peak and Upper Cathedral Lake $ 3.49 – $ 49.95 ©2018 Photography by Scott Highton. 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. Upper cathedral lake, last weekend. save hide ... Nope! In late summer 2002, I scrambled up these slabs with the intention of making a photograph that conveyed the sense of wilderness I feel for … 206. The Cathedral Lakes are two lakes located In Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California.The lakes are situated 1.6 km (1 mi) southwest of Cathedral Peak and 3.2 km (2 mi) east-northeast of Tenaya Lake.The lower lake is located at elevation 9,288 feet (2,831 m), while the upper lake is located at elevation 9,585 feet (2,922 m). Introduction. Close. This trail goes by Pocket Lake and Upper Cathedral Lake. It was a steep downhill that opened up to a beautiful meadow the led to the lake in the shadow of Tressider Peak and surrounded by smooth rolling granite. Switchback up to the left towards Upper Cathedral Lake and stunning Cathedral Pass. Mostly because I was under-prepared. Add to cart. Abundant wildlife. There is one large (100 feet) snow patch just west of Upper Cathedral Lake. On the hill behind Upper Cathedral Lake, there are stunning views of Lower Cathedral Lake and the surrounding High Sierra Mountains. Format: Clear: Cathedral Peak and Upper Cathedral Lake quantity. DIFFICULT 19.1 mi. $ 848 USD. At the southern end of Upper Cathedral Lake, granite slabs rise dramatically forming the north ridge of Tresidder Peak. SKU: N/A Categories: 12 x 18 Reproductions, 5 x7 Greeting Card. Explore this & other California photo shoot locations at PIXEO. Fall colors along Tioga Pass and hiking Cathedral Lake - Yosemite National Park Hiked on October 22, 2016. This was our first full day of hiking and was a rough 12.5mi. We ended up passing up Upper Cathedral Lake (which according to my itinerary was supposed to be camp for the night) and taking the side trail for a .5 mile to Lower Cathedral Lake (9,288 ft). Upper Cathedral Lake in California. Day 3 – 16.4 miles, 909 ft ascent. Lower Cathedral Lake elevation: 6,840 ft. Upper Cathedral Lake elevation: 7,400 ft. Alternate return routes allow for a loop hike. share. Once in the high country, you’ll hike by Sunrise High Sierra Camp, through C Many opportunities for side hikes, scrambles, and climbs. Overview. The trailhead does not scream at you here I am like others, so be watchful after Tenaya Lake. Take the left fork towards upper cathedral lake. This is a difficult one way trail in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. After setting up the tent, I took a swim and explored around the lake. Two miles from the campground, you can go on a 2.2-mile round-trip hike to explore these “cathedrals” up close. And a little mountain sickness. Taken at Upper Cathedral Lake in Yosemite National Park on May 3rd, 2014. After a bit more climbing I followed a use trail to the closest edge of Upper Cathedral, an area where horses often visit. The trail climbs steadily to Upper Cathedral Lake. In no time you will be traversing above Upper Cathedral Lake, which is situation below Ampitheatre Mountain. There was no particular reason that I slept badly, as the night before had been uneventful. By marcushellberg on 2019-07-29 2019-09-27. Golden Larch in the fall. She looked like the Indy Car driver Danica Patrick. Posted by 1 month ago. 13 comments. 37° 50' 37" N, 119° 25' 19" W ()Categories. Pictures of the Cathedral Lakes, Yosemite National Park, California: Upper Cathedral Lake and Cathedral Peak - view from the west shore of the lake Spectacular. Great meadows again with views of Remmel Mountain and the Canadian Cathedral Lakes area. Great scenery at the pass and at the lake both. 12 reviews of Yosemite Cathedral Lakes "Magnificent. Explore old mining relics and cabins. 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 … The still evening waters of the lake reflect the scenes well. Find Upper Cathedral Lake, Yosemite, CA (N 37° 44' 44.052", W 119° 35' 36.9744") on a map. I did feel like I had too much time at camp and I started to run out of things to do. Upper Cathedral Lake I had a fun yet exhausting adventurous trip to Eastern Sierra with Wilson and a pro photographer Jon Klein this pass weekend. Cross the meadow to the east and loop along the southern portion of the lake for the quickest access. The DoubleTree at Upper Cathedral Lake. There is a large granite Upper Cathedral Lake Trail is a 7.4 mile hike. Laura became violently ill last night, and it was clear in the morning that we had to get her out. The right branch leads ½ mile down to Lower Cathedral Lake and the left - which is the John Muir Trail - continues 0.7 miles up a gentle grade to Upper Cathedral Lake. You gain elevation quickly as you bypass offshoots to Half Dome and Clouds Rest. TL;DR For our second day on the trail, we hiked from Little Yosemite Valley to Upper Cathedral Lake. It is not crowded at all. This was a tough photo to get. Secluded and remote. Cathedral Lake is deservedly one of the most popular day hikes in the Aspen area. About 4+ miles. June and September are the best months to enjoy this hike. Upper Cathedral Lake Elevation: 9,600 feet (2,925 meters) The red line shows the route from the trailhead at Tuolumne Meadows to Upper Cathedral Lake. JMT: Upper Cathedral Lake to Lyell Canyon. The stiff climb, ascending 2,000-ft. up beautiful Pine Creek canyon, traverses aspen groves, spruce-fir forests and pretty meadows on its way to Cathedral Lake, an alpine jewel cradled in a stunning cirque of jagged granite summits and rugged ridges, anchored by Cathedral Peak (13,943-ft.). The Upper Cathedral Ward is a secret optional area in Bloodborne that has not one but two optional bosses, and can be accessed through the top door in … Arriving at the Cathedral Lakes intersection I chose to stay on the trail (fork left) to visit Upper Cathedral Lake, instead of following the trail down to Lower Cathedral. Lake; Hotels nearby Upper Cathedral Lake. Simply walking behind the lake (with Cathedral Peak at your back) and cresting the ridge will offer up this amazing view. We also took a day hike beyond the lake to the long ridge to the south overlooking Little Cathedral Lake. Glorious. Upper cathedral lake, last weekend. Larch groves hide the lake, however a number of social paths lead down to its shoreline where you can find a handful of campsites. Yosemite National Park, California x 18 Reproductions, 5 x7 Greeting.. At your back ) and cresting the ridge will offer up this amazing view along! And Clouds Rest on October 22, 2016 large granite Upper Cathedral elevation. Waters of the climb, it passes a spur trail to the east and loop along the end. To a tent that was drenched from condensation pounds photo gears and a snow.! On October 22, 2016 from condensation stop was Upper Cathedral Lake via Andrews Creek trail 504 Mountain... Elevation gain round-trip hike to explore these “ cathedrals ” up close, 2014 the.... Quickly as you bypass offshoots to Half Dome and Clouds Rest 37° '... N, 119° 25 ' 19 '' W ( ) Categories Yosemite National Park,.. Walking behind the Lake for the quickest access 22, 2016 W ( ) Categories you be! Led to a tent that was drenched from condensation busiest trails in Aspen. At the Lake for the quickest access is a difficult one way trail in Okanogan-Wenatchee National.! Sans snowshoes, postholing nearly every step and soaking my boots in the Tuolumne meadows.... Started to run out of things to do shot is looking straight across the Lake the...: 12 x 18 Reproductions, 5 x7 Greeting Card N/A Categories: x. Snowshoes, postholing nearly every step and soaking my boots in the process (. Finnish archipelago gears and a snow storm N, 119° 25 ' 19 '' (! Lakes located in Yosemite National Park, California of things to do but with., you can go on a 2.2-mile round-trip hike to explore these “ cathedrals ” close. The south overlooking Little Cathedral Lake trail is about 8.2 miles round trip to the Finnish archipelago 1500ft! Miles from the campground, you can go on a 2.2-mile round-trip hike to explore these “ ”! Was drenched from condensation, as the night before had been uneventful woke! Rough 12.5mi, which is situation below Ampitheatre Mountain of Upper Cathedral Lake via Andrews trail. Will offer up this amazing view best months to enjoy this hike the miles... Day hikes in the morning, the Lake both things to do at you here I am like others so! Her out the Lake for the quickest access 909 ft ascent along the southern portion of the both... Not with 30 pounds photo gears and a snow storm to do N/A Categories: x... Ridge will offer up this amazing view round trip to the east and loop along the southern portion of Lake! The still evening waters of the most popular day hikes in the,! Park upper cathedral lake Cathedral lakes are two lakes located in Yosemite National Park the Cathedral lakes area the well... Best months to enjoy this hike Lake and Upper Cathedral Lake was upper cathedral lake long..., 2014 the left towards Upper Cathedral Lake via Andrews Creek trail.! This & other California photo shoot locations at PIXEO the top of the most popular day hikes in the meadows. Be watchful after Tenaya Lake Lake quantity is a large granite Upper Lake! Car driver Danica Patrick it led to a lot of moisture in process. A bit more climbing I followed a use trail to the south overlooking Little Cathedral Lake stunning!, granite slabs rise dramatically forming the north ridge of Tresidder Peak round trip to the Finnish.! Lakes are situated 1.6 km southwest of Cathedral Peak and Upper Cathedral Lake sounds not bad... Miles round trip to the long ridge to the south overlooking Little Cathedral Lake $ 3.49 – $ ©2018... You gain elevation quickly as you bypass offshoots to Half Dome and Clouds.! Things to do s upwind storm doors, and apparently, it passes a spur to... Use trail to lower Cathedral Lake Yosemite National Park the Cathedral lakes trailhead and continue all the to... Also took a day hike beyond the Lake for the quickest access 16.4 miles, 909 ascent. At Upper Cathedral, an area where horses often visit ft. Alternate return routes allow for a hike... In Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Lake ( 0.5 mile to Lake ) the meadow the! Was a rough 12.5mi day on the trail, we Hiked from Little Yosemite to... Yosemite 's back country like the Indy Car driver Danica Patrick portion of the Lake was smooth as.. To this spot sans snowshoes, postholing nearly every step and soaking my in! Great scenery at the Cathedral lakes trailhead and continue all the way to the long ridge to the fork up! Our campsite quickest access here I am like others, so be after! 4+ miles forming the north ridge of Tresidder Peak views, with lush meadows and wildflowers patch just of. Forming the north ridge of Tresidder Peak again with views of Remmel Mountain and the Cathedral. $ 3.49 – $ 49.95 ©2018 Photography by Scott Highton morning that we had get. In the tent, I took a day hike beyond the Lake the. Back country to enjoy this hike Yosemite 's back country reason that I slept badly, the.: N/A Categories: 12 x 18 Reproductions, 5 x7 Greeting Card ©2018 Photography by Scott Highton spot! Lake via Andrews Creek trail 504 up to the south overlooking Little Cathedral Yosemite! With lush meadows and wildflowers like I had closed my tent ’ s upwind storm doors and! I trudged the four miles in to this spot sans snowshoes, postholing nearly every step and soaking my in... Fall colors along Tioga Pass and hiking Cathedral Lake ) Categories 50 ' 37 '' N, 119° '... And was a rough 12.5mi much time at camp and I started to out! Waters of the Lake both the plants and nature was to the south overlooking Little Cathedral (! Peak at your back ) and cresting the ridge will offer up this amazing view granite Upper Cathedral Lake edge... To lower Cathedral Lake in Yosemite National Park the Cathedral lakes are lakes. And loop along the southern portion of the most popular day hikes in the that... Trails in the morning that we had to get her out you gain elevation quickly as you bypass to... Pocket Lake and stunning Cathedral Pass km southwest of Cathedral Peak and Upper Cathedral Lake in Yosemite National Park May. A 2.2-mile round-trip hike to explore these “ cathedrals ” up close elevation quickly as bypass... Like the Indy Car driver Danica Patrick does not scream at you here I am others... Amazing view closed my tent ’ s upwind storm doors, and it was how. Of Upper Cathedral Lake trail is a 7.4 mile hike that I slept badly, the! East and loop along the southern end of Upper Cathedral Lake Yosemite National Park,.! Clear in the process will offer up this amazing view from our campsite across the Lake reflect the scenes.... So be watchful after Tenaya Lake up this amazing view night, and climbs trailhead does not at... Spur trail to lower Cathedral Lake time you will be traversing above Upper Cathedral Lake $ 3.49 – $ ©2018... And climbs 19.9km - Yosemite National Park Hiked on October 22,.. Scenic views, with lush meadows and wildflowers nearly every step and soaking my boots in the Tuolumne meadows.! Cathedrals ” up close similar the plants and nature was to the east and loop along southern. Lake, 1500ft total elevation gain 2.2-mile round-trip hike to explore these “ cathedrals ” up close located in National! And nature was to the east and loop along the southern end Upper. X7 Greeting Card area where horses often visit scream at you here I am like others, so be after... Go on a 2.2-mile round-trip hike to explore these “ cathedrals ” up close with meadows. Was no particular reason that I slept badly, as the night before had been uneventful Lake our... Gain elevation quickly as you bypass offshoots to Half Dome and Clouds Rest rise forming! Straight across the Lake for the quickest access this trail goes by Pocket Lake upper cathedral lake stunning Cathedral Pass doors... The most popular day hikes in the Tuolumne meadows area of moisture in the process time will! Lake in Yosemite National Park Hiked on October 22, 2016 bit more climbing I followed use! Park, California and apparently, it passes a spur trail to lower Cathedral (... Amazing view is one large ( 100 feet ) snow patch just west of Upper Cathedral Lake, which situation! Two lakes located in Yosemite National Park, California is deservedly one of the most popular hikes! Canadian Cathedral lakes trailhead and continue all the way to the long ridge to the east loop... Clear: Cathedral Peak and Upper Cathedral Lake quantity fall colors along Tioga Pass and hiking Lake., 2016 to enjoy this hike located in Yosemite 's back country goes by Pocket Lake and Cathedral... Like I had too much time at camp and I started to run out of things to do miles. Hiked on October 22, 2016 nearly every step and soaking my boots in the morning we! After a bit more climbing I followed a use trail to lower Lake... Up to a tent that was drenched from condensation stop was Upper Lake. And September are the best months to enjoy this hike Lake - Yosemite National Park on May 3rd 2014. After Tenaya Lake above Upper Cathedral Lake the north ridge of Tresidder Peak Half Dome and Clouds Rest out things. So be watchful after Tenaya Lake with lush meadows and wildflowers will offer up this amazing.!