• Miles 9.8
• Elevation Gain 1,290 Feet
• Highest Elevation on Trail 9,680 Ft / Lowest Elevation 8,570
• Total miles so far for the 54 for Dave pledge 45.5!

The high country in Yosemite has always been one of my favorite places. True it does not have the dramatic falls of Yosemite Valley. What it does have are plentiful alpine meadows, cascading streams, and granite domes. More important, for me, is the high country does not have the overpowering crowds the Valley has.

Personally, hiking in the Yosemite high country has a mystique around it; kind of playing in the big leagues for the first time. You are at high elevations, the trails are longer, and the altitude gain is greater. While the hike to Cathedral Lakes has been on my bucket list for a long time there was always a hesitation, a personal doubt that I could not do it. In reality, I should have done it several years ago. I was in training for Half Dome and in shape. This summer damn the torpedoes, I just decided to go for it. Even if I am heavier and a bit out of shape. There is a great saying “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is today”

Now completed, the hike totally exceeded my expectations. It was a stunningly beautiful hike full of alpine diversity. I would have to say it was one of the most beautiful I have ever done. On the flip side, the altitude gain in the first mile and half was tough. It slowed me down so even though I started early I missed most of the morning light/calm waters at the lakes. The extra time it took to go up the trail also robbed me of exploration time at Upper Cathedral Lake. Damn. I will just have to do it again next summer. Maybe as an overnight!

I left Mammoth around 4:30 AM. I got to the trail head around 5:40 AM. After a little stretching and some last minute organization hit the trail just before 6. The trail started going up from the very start.

The redeeming grace was there were lots of wonderful small feeder streams on the way up. They gave me and excuse to stop take a picture and catch my breath.

After gaining a little over 600 feet looking back over Tuolmne Meadows gave me a sense of accomplishment. The trail then leveled out which was welcome but also curious. All the info I had researched indicated I had at least another 4-500 feet of climb still to go.

This flat portion of the trail was especially peaceful. There was lots of water, flooded meadows, streams, and mosquitoes. There is not much good to say about California's drought but two seasons of almost no mosquitoes was one excellent benefit! At one point when I was setting up my tripod I counted close to 60+ mosquitoes on my shirt and pants. Thank the Lord for Deet!

After a bit, through the tops of the trees, I started to be able to see the granite domes of the Cathedral range. They were awe inspiring and provided the adrenaline to pick up the pace. Then came the other 4-500 feet climb to get to the top of the ridge at 9,750 feet.

I reached the junction point where the trail splits Your choice is down to Lower Cathedral Lake or continue on the John Muir Trail (JMT) that goes to upper Cathedral Lake. I had intended to go to Upper Cathedral first but the sign on one path said Cathedral Lake. I wrongly assumed it was the trail to both Upper and Lower. So off I went in happy ignorance to Lower Cathedral.

There was a short section of steep decline and then a stream crossing. When you bottomed out there was this large gorgeous alpine meadow. The meadow had streams and water everywhere. The meadow was hemmed in on one side with the huge sheer granite cliff. You could still not see the lake from this part of the meadow. Yet you instinctively you knew it was on the far side of the meadow.

I spent a fair amount of time soaking in the beauty and dancing with the mosquitoes. You will notice in the picture of the tarn with the granite cliff what looks like dust spots in the sky section. They are not dust spots but mosquitoes! Lots and lots of mosquitoes!

After exploring the area and resting I headed back up the trail. At the junction I turned onto the JMT to head to Upper Cathedral Lake. It is not that long of a trek to Upper Cathedral but after so many miles and altitude gain it seemed long.

Coming over a ridge I could see the meadow but no lake! While the view was beautiful my first thought was crud. I assumed I would have to climb over another saddle to get to the lake. As I walked further I was extremely relieved to finally see the lake on near side of the meadow.

By now it was past mid-day. Having underestimating the hike's difficulty I had told my wife I would be back around 1:00 PM. I hike alone and when I am too late getting back she starts to worry. So I did a little exploring trying to find the spot I had seen others had taken pictures from. It is an incredible view of the lake and Cathedral peak. The location was in a totally different spot than I thought it was. So took the best shots I could from where I was and headed back.

I still want that iconic shot of upper Cathedral Lake so I will do this hike again next summer. This time armed with the GPS coordinates! In summary, this was one of the most beautiful hikes I have been on. While I have checked it off my bucket list I will be back!

45.5 miles in the books over half way there! 8.5 more miles to go!  Here is to you Dave!

Thank You(s)
Thank You - Rick and Lori Jackson, Thank You - Mike and Monica Barnett, Thank You - Ed Nash, Thank You - Pam Eye, Thank You - Emily Aguto. Thank You - Rob Wynner, Thank You- Matt Garelik, Thank You - Jim Langlois, Thank You - Brad and Karen King, Thank You - Anita Sobel  -Thank You -Jeff and Brenda Bissett

We have already reached $795 of our $2,500 goal.  Awesome!  Feel free to share this blog link to anyone who would enjoy the images and stories. Maybe enough to donate! :-)