Guided Trips to the Sierra Nevada & Worldwide!
Photo by Neil Satterfield

Cathedral Lake to Yosemite Valley
Experience a little bit of everything Yosemite is loved for. There is unbeatable scenery of Yosemite Valley most of your journey. Your travel begins in the gem of Yosemite National Park’s high country, Tuolumne Meadows. Walk on trails and maybe even a little cross country through mosaics made of forest green, lush meadow, vista summit, alpine lakes, dancing rivers, crashing waterfalls and glaciated granite. You will be elated with the summits and memorable views of Clouds Rest (9,926 ft) and Half Dome (8,836 ft). Be rejuvenated under the thundering waterfalls of Nevada and Vernal Falls. Celebrate your journey’s end amongst the ancient giants of Yosemite Valley. One can never forget this heavenly experience. Our 5-day trip is moderate, covering terrain with a range of steepness up and a lot of down that requires good physical condition. You will carry your own items and some group items in a backpack. Prior backpack experience is not necessary.

Trip Itinerary | Prerequisites

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TRIP ITINERARY: Cathedral Lake to Yosemite Valley

DAY 1

7:00am Meet at Curry Village in Yosemite Valley, gear check, distribute group gear, Shuttle to trailhead(8,600’) at Cathedral Lake Trailhead, hike up to Cathedral Lakes (9100’). 3.25 miles

DAY 2

(9100’)John Muir Trail (9900’) to High Sierra Sunrise and bivy near Sunrise Lakes (9300’). 6.52 miles

DAY 3

Travel south along rim of Tenaya Canyon along Sunrise Trail(9300’-9800’-8900’), spend time on the summit of Clouds Rest (9926’)and descend to Half Dome spur junction for camp (7000’). 7.82 miles

DAY 4

We will leave our heavy packs in camp and take day packs up to summit Half Dome (8836’) and return to camp. 5 miles

DAY 5

Break Camp (7000’) and work our way down to Yosemite Valley (4000’) and back to our vehicles to shuttle.

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Prerequisites:

  • Good Physical Condition and Aerobically Fit.
  • Ability to Hike up to 8 miles with significant elevation gain of 2,000 and/or loss of 3,000 feet a day carrying a backpack of 30 to 40 lbs.

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TRIP DETAILS

Trip Length:
5 days

Date: Aug 14-18

(Custom trips also available)

Cost:  $595.00

Trip Difficulty:
Level 1


Recommended Prior Trips;

Dorothy Lake

Valentine Lake

Recommended Follow-up Trips:
Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Ten Lakes