Lower Cathedral Lake

Lower Cathedral Lake sits in a granite bowl below Cathedral Peak, reached by a climb up the John Muir Trail from Tioga Road near the west end of Tuolumne Meadows. The trailhead sits at 8,500 feet, and the lake sits at 9,290 feet — about 790 feet of gain along the way. Trailhead parking has shifted in recent years away from the old roadside pull-outs, so total round-trip mileage now runs roughly 7 to 8 miles depending on where you park.

On the Trail

The route follows the John Muir Trail through lodgepole forest and open meadow. At about the 3-mile mark, a signed fork breaks off the main trail and drops via a short spur — roughly half a mile — down to Lower Cathedral Lake, while the John Muir Trail itself continues on toward Upper Cathedral Lake. Expect stream crossings and marshy stretches where snowmelt is still draining through the meadows earlier in the season.

At the Lake

The lake sits below Cathedral Peak to the east, with Echo and Tresidder Peaks rising along the southern shore — granite summits over 10,000 feet ringing the water. It's a natural turnaround point for day hikers and a good place to rest before the walk back down.

Before You Go

• Carry a filter or purification tablets — the trail crosses live streams, but all water should be treated before drinking.
• The approach sits above 8,500 feet the entire way; give yourself time to acclimate if you're coming up from the Valley floor.
• Tioga Road, which serves the trailhead, closes each winter and reopens once snow allows — check current conditions before planning a trip outside summer.