August 22 - 25, 2013
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
CATHEDRAL LAKES - ALL GIRLS TRIP
We ~ Stacie, Hope, Annette and Coral, began our adventure camping out on Thursday night at the Tuolumne Meadows Campground, just outside Yosemite National Park. We enjoyed a campfire and went to bed before the usual time to get an early start on the trail. We arrived at the Cathedral Lakes trail head about 10:00 am after stopping by the Tuolumne store to pick up a few last minute items. So convenient. The first half mile or so of the trail climbed steadily. After the initial climb we were welcomed with some flat trail before another climb. Soon we were descending down some rocks and into a beautiful meadow which led us to Lower Cathedral Lake. We stopped and had lunch on the huge granite rocks before heading northwest looking for a campsite. We got lucky and found the perfect spot. A nice big flat rock for cooking our meals and down logs for sitting ~ although we all admired Hope's new chair and took turns sitting in it when she was up and moving. We spent Friday setting up our camp and checking out the lake until the 4:00 whistle rang for happy hour! We enjoyed a beverage or two on the sunny granite rocks. Saturday we hiked to Upper Cathedral Lake, which only took about an hour. It is a smaller lake along an open meadow with limited shelter for camping. We enjoyed lunch at the lake (Salami, cheese and bread) and then headed back to Lower Lake. We spent the afternoon sunbathing, swimming, and reading at Lower Lake. Next thing we knew it was 4:00 again.... Enjoyed our dinner eating on the sunny granite rocks and watching the sunset. Coral made the annual "Pack It" posting out of pine cones found along the lake shore. Sunday morning we all packed up and headed back out on the trail. We enjoyed cheeseburgers and french fries at the Bridgeport Inn before heading home. The entire weekend was smooth, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable! Total miles hiked: 9
Trailhead Elevation: 8,500 feet / Lower Cathedral Lake Elevation: 9,290 feet
Upper Cathedral Lake Elevation: 9,600 feet