shout : into : the : wilderness
Cathedral Lakes
trail details
Type of Trip: Backpacking Thru
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Where: Yosemite National Park
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Permits Required: Yes
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Miles: 12.7
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Net Elevation Change: 3,050 ft
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Trailhead: Sunrise Lakes
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Cal Topo: https://caltopo.com/m/H4QF
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Description: Thru hike from Tenaya Lake, up to Sunrise Lakes, and then back to Cathedral Lake
logistics & itinerary
Wilderness Area : Yosemite National Park
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When to apply? Sixty percent of wilderness permit reservations become available by lottery 24 weeks in advance. Of these, any remaining reservations after each week's lottery become available on a first-come, first-served basis the Friday after the lottery application period closes and are available up to three days in advance. The remaining 40% of reservations become available seven days in advance (up to three days in advance).
Permit Style: Lottery then First Come First Serve
Permit Application: recreation.gov
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Real Time Permit Availability
Day
Miles
Camp
1
2
3
3.3
6.1
3.3
Sunrise Lakes #3
Lower Cathedral Lake
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When did we do this hike? June 2014
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Transportation: Parked the car in Tuolumne Meadows. You can catch the shuttle back to the Sunrise Lakes trailhead.
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Itinerary:
Water: Not much water until you get to Sunrise Lakes and then not much between Sunrise and Upper Cathedral. Water should be filtered or treated prior to drinking.
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Leave-No-Trace: Follow Leave No Trace principles. Camp on previously impacted sites at least 100 feet from any water source or trail. All human waste must be buried at least 6 inches deep at at least 100 feet from water sources, camp areas, and trails. Do all washing at least 100 feet from water. Do not put any soup in water (even biodegradable and natural soup pollutes). Carry out all trash. Do not burn or bury toilet paper or trash.
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Flora Considerations: None
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Fauna Considerations: Approved Bear canisters are required on this trail. Black bears, deer, various rodents, and birds all frequent the areas you camp and walk through.
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Trail Specific Considerations: This trail does come close to the 10,000ft elevation mark. Staying a night at the Tuolumne Meadows backpackers camp the night before would help with acclimating. Like any wilderness trip, you accept a certain amount of risk when going on your hike. You are responsible for assessing how comfortable you feel with that risk and understanding your own physical abilities.