Cathedral Range Trek

This Yosemite National Park trip begins with rendezvous in Yosemite Valley in the parking lot of Curry Village near the bear boxes at shuttle stop 14 at 6PM on Day 1. You will easily spot your guide waiting for you in a Wildland Trekking hat. We’ll conduct an orientation meeting, after which we’ll get settled in the Backpackers Camp a stone’s throw away from majestic Tenaya Creek and under the spectacular domes and cliffs of Yosemite Valley. We’ll enjoy dinner either at Curry Village or in camp.

• Hiking Mileage: 6.0 miles
• Elevation Gain: 500 ft
• Elevation Loss: 200 ft

We begin our adventure in one of the highlights of the High Sierra, Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows. There, among soaring granite domes, jagged mountain peaks, and lush fields of wildflowers, we follow the John Muir Trail south along the banks of the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River into wide Lyell Canyon. We will take it slowly today to acclimate to the thin alpine air and hike approximately six miles to the junction with Ireland Creek, a mere 200 feet higher than our trailhead. Here we will make our camp and after a quick dip in the brisk waters of the Tuolumne enjoy a delicious meal prepared by our guides. Then, under a canopy of brilliant Sierra stars, we will turn in to get a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s climb to Vogelsang!

• Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2100 feet
• Elevation Loss: 730 feet

After an early wake-up call, we eat a hearty breakfast as we prepare for our hike up beautiful Ireland Creek into the high peaks along the crest of the magnificent Cathedral Range, one of Yosemite’s most celebrated regions. But, first, we must tackle a difficult climb as our trail ascends 1800 feet to the high point of our day at 10,650 feet in just three miles. After catching our breaths, we descend to an idyllic spot alongside Evelyn Lake and enjoy a filling, well- earned lunch as we enjoy the beauty of the surrounding peaks: Johnson, Rafferty, Fletcher and Parsons, all above 11,000 feet! Our camp tonight will be near Vogelsang Lake at 10,300 feet, two miles further up the trail. There, magnificent views include looking down on the summit of Half Dome and all the way to the Coast Range 120 miles beyond!

• Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 680 feet
• Elevation Loss: 3800 feet

It’s another early rise this morning as we traverse around Vogelsang Lake as the early morning sun lights up Vogelsang Peak 1200 feet above us. We quickly top out at Vogelsang Pass, the high point of our trip at 10,700 ft. and descend into the exquisite canyon of Lewis Creek. We may get our feet wet as we descend along the banks of the creek, crossing over every now and then. After a streamside lunch in the vicinity of the beautiful cascades of Florence Creek, we begin a steep and challenging descent to Merced Lake. Just beyond the lake we will set up camp among granite slabs and Jeffrey pines next to the mighty Merced River and enjoy dinner by a crackling campfire as the alpenglow slowly fades from the peaks.

• Hiking Mileage: 6.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1220 feet
• Elevation Loss: 1280 feet

We have a mellower day today with a moderate hike to our camp alongside Sunrise Creek. We first descend through Echo Valley after a leisurely breakfast and then make a moderate ascent up the slopes above Echo Creek. As the trail traverses high above the Merced the views are astounding. Bunnell Point, Moraine Dome and the Merced River, flowing through the granite walls of the Lost Valley, stretch out at our feet to the west. Back behind us to the east, the high, jagged peaks of the southern Cathedral Range loom above Cony Crags and Mount Florence. After a final two mile descent through a pleasant forest, we set up a basecamp for the next two days and rest up for tomorrow’s ascent of Half Dome!

• Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2200 feet
• Elevation Loss: 2200 feet

Up early, we have a quick breakfast and make an alpine start on our hike to the summit of Half Dome! As we are leaving the camp set up, we set out with only our daypacks. Our goal is to beat the crowds and the thunderstorms that tend to build in the afternoons! The hike begins with the ascent of a series of mild switchbacks two miles and 800 feet up to the base of the sub-dome. Here we begin the real climbing as the trail ascends 500 feet in half a mile on steep stair steps carved into the sheer granite slope. A short level respite provides an opportunity to rest and prepare for the crux of the hike: the final 400 foot vertical ascent along the legendary cables. At the top, after catching our breaths, we have a celebratory lunch on the top and soak in the views of Yosemite’s magnificent High Country before heading back down the mountain for a relaxing evening at Sunrise Creek.

Please Note: the ascent of Half Dome involves climbing a section called “the cables,” which is a very steep and exposed part of our hike. The National Park Service has installed a pair of cables to use as handrails, but it is still a physically and psychologically demanding climb. Some of the objective hazards also include mishaps by other hikers, such as people slipping or dropping items. This climb isn’t required to do the trip, but it is required to reach the top of Half Dome.

• Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 610 feet
• Elevation Loss: 3590 feet

We’ll enjoy our last breakfast in the Yosemite wilderness and hoist our packs to return to the hubbub of civilization. Our trail first descends along the John Muir trail into Little Yosemite Valley on the backside of Half Dome. Looking up, we’ll barely be able to see hikers as they ascend the cables, far above us, just as we had done the previous day. Beyond, our trail descends past some of the most astonishing scenery around; including the world famous Vernal and Nevada Falls. With the soaring domes of Mount Broderick and Liberty Cap, on one side, the Panorama Cliffs and Glacier Point, on the other, we finally descend to the Valley floor where we’ll end our trip with an early afternoon lunch at the trailhead and celebrate our trip into one of the most incredible places on the planet!