Cathedral Lakes Private Hike
Day Hike Tours
1 Day 8MI / 12.9KM
Trip Highlights
This wonderful Yosemite hike links two of the most beloved areas in Yosemite by way of a pleasant and relatively easy trail through a forest of old growth lodgepole pines. Beginning in beautiful Tuolumne Meadows, the largest sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada, the path ascends a thousand feet in three miles to a side trail to Lower Cathedral Lake. The upper and more scenic Cathedral Lake is reached after another half mile. Here, the incredible views of Cathedral Peak reflected in the lake are as much a symbol of Yosemite as El Capitan and Half Dome. Tressider Peak, a half mile to the southwest, is an easy walk-up for those with extra energy. Another option, for the adventurous, would be to return to the trailhead via Budd Creek, along the east slope of Cathedral Peak.
(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)
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Alpine Lakes
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Wonderful Summer Temps
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Beautiful Yosemite Views
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Amazing Natural & Cultural History
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Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
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Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Day Hike Tours -
Trip Length
1 Day -
Daily Hiking Distance
8 miles -
Group Size
1-7 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This hike follows a maintained trail all the way to Cathedral Lake with minimal areas of exposure to vertical drops. With a distance of 8 miles and elevation gain/loss of 1600 feet, it is a solid Level 2 hike.
Difficulty Level
Learn More
Solitude Level
Learn More
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
Scroll horizontally to view all dates
Rates
- 1 person: $620
- 2 people: $350 per person
- 3 people: $310 per person
- 4-5 people: $260 per person
- 6-7 people: $225 per person
- 10 and younger: $155 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include guide gratuity
What's Included
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you'd like, and as is possible in a day
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Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
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Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
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Use of trekking poles
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite
What's Not Included (Required)
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Lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots -
Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
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Warm wool or fleece top (Spring, Fall, Winter)
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Warm hat and gloves (Spring, Fall, Winter)
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Water bottles or bladder (2 liters total capacity)
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Sunhat
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
We can pick you up in the town of Mariposa; the Autocamp Yosemite Resort; anywhere on the Highway 140 corridor east of Mariposa; or in Tuolumne Meadows. Your guide will contact you approximately 7 days before your trip to determine the exact rendezvous time and location.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in the Sierras
Being a high mountain environment, the Sierra Nevada Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in the mountains. On trips in June, snow is a possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
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Month
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Valleys
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Alpine
|
||||
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hi
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low
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hi
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low
|
|||
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January
|
49°
|
26°
|
45°
|
25°
|
||
|
February
|
55°
|
28°
|
46°
|
26°
|
||
|
March
|
59°
|
31°
|
48°
|
27°
|
||
|
April
|
65°
|
35°
|
54°
|
30°
|
||
|
May
|
73°
|
42°
|
62°
|
37°
|
||
|
June
|
81°
|
51°
|
71°
|
46°
|
||
|
July
|
89°
|
57°
|
77°
|
50°
|
||
|
August
|
89°
|
56°
|
81°
|
53°
|
||
|
September
|
82°
|
51°
|
71°
|
46°
|
||
|
October
|
74°
|
39°
|
62°
|
37°
|
||
|
November
|
58°
|
31°
|
51°
|
29°
|
||
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December
|
48°
|
26°
|
46°
|
25°
|
||
Reviews
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Bonnie L
4 years agoExcellent Company
Wildland is an excellent company. They never disappoint!
Mary D.
5 years agoHigh Expectations Met
I have high expectations and this company and our guide Dylan met them. He was profwessional on all accounts. Knew the hike and gave great history and local stories. I'm a hiker and traveler and although I could have done this by myself I thought for my birthday I'd leave all the navigation and meals to someone else. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our day thanks to Dylan.
Andrea R.
8 years agoWonderful Time
This was my second time choosing Wildland for a trip and we had a wonderful time on our day hike. JP was a great guide, he shared a lot of park history and knowledge with us, and made a great lunch! I will be sure to choose Wildland again when going on my next trek.
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