![]() When you are ready to leave Sunrise Lakes you will head southwest on the trail and quickly pass the third and final lake. The area is so serene it seems if you step on a twig you will wake up the entire forest.ĭay 3: Sunrise Lakes to Cloud’s Rest (5.8 mi/9.3 km). I encourage you to wake up early to watch the sunrise. If the weather has turned cold you can lounge on the bank and watch the sunset over the glass like water of the lake. There is a small island in the center of the water that serves as a great spot for an afternoon nap or merely a spot to soak up the sun. There is a great spot about 100 yards directly south of the lake with a fire ring and plenty of space for camp. If isolation is what you seek there isn’t a bad choice, but I recommend setting up camp at the second lake. I didn’t see too much information about the Sunrise Lakes and this trail takes you off of the well-trodden John Muir Trail, but the isolation is well worth the detour. The trail soon moves north and about one mile in you will run into the first of the three lakes. Approximately one mile after the Sunrise High Sierra Camp you will reach a fork in the trail the John Muir trail continues south, but you will want to head west towards the Sunrise Lakes. They close this camp down in late September/early October. 4.1 miles in you will reach the Sunrise High Sierra camp, during the summer months you can stop here for water or to use the restroom. The trail is fairly easy to move through, the hardest part is not constantly turning around to look at Cathedral Peak. As you head south you will quickly have great views of Tresidder Peak west of you, Echo Peaks on your east, and Cathedral peak to your south. ![]() You'll start with a half mile trek back to the John Muir Trail. There are beautiful sites to set up camp on the southeast side of the lake.ĭay 2: Lower Cathedral Lake to Sunrise Lakes (6.3 mi/10.1 km). To get a bird’s eye view you can spend the afternoon hiking to higher locations on the southwest side of lower Cathedral Lake. I recommend getting here in time to set up camp and to be able to relax to watch the sunset over the meadow and lake. There is something majestic about the structure of the peak and setting up camp near Cathedral Lake makes it even more spectacular. Cathedral Peak is a sight to see and is honestly worth the visit to Yosemite. The fork is well marked and you can't miss it from the main trailhead. The trail is a part of the historic John Muir Trail and after 3 miles in you will take the half mile route to the Lower Cathedral Lake. The forest will eventually start to open up and you will have great views of the beautiful Sierras. You are headed in the opposite direction of the meadows and other than the lush forest there is little to see in the first mile of the trail. You start the trip with a beautiful view of Tuolumne Meadows. I drove my car to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center parking lot and found a ride to my car when I ended up back in Yosemite Valley.ĭay 1: Start off Cathedral Lake Trailhead to Lower Cathedral Lake (3.5 mi/5.6 km). The road from Yosemite Valley to the Cathedral Lake Trailhead is approximately 50 miles and will take you about an hour and half to get there. If the road is open finding a ride shouldn’t be difficult. Tioga Road closes in the winter, so always check with the park on road conditions. You can also park your car 1 mile east of the trailhead at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center and then find a ride back when you finish back down in the valley. If you are planning on making this trip outside of those months you will need to park your car in the valley and find a ride to Tuolumne Meadows. June through September, YARTS has a shuttle that will take you from the Yosemite Valley to the start of the trail at Cathedral Lake Trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows via Tioga Road. The trail itself is approximately 33 miles and can be done in 3-4 days, but I recommend a 6 day hike to enjoy the scenery and to have the opportunity to soak in each location you visit. Yosemite is an iconic park, and if you are looking for isolation with spectacular views of the backcountry this trip is for you. You will have isolation from the crowds in Yosemite Valley, but be prepared for grueling hikes with immediate payoff from surrounding scenery and the chance to see several iconic Yosemite landmarks in one trip. This will take 5-6 days, with well marked trails with incomparable views.
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