Lower Cathedral Lake Trail

Lower Cathedral Lake sits in a granite bowl below the sheer spire of Cathedral Peak, reached by a steady climb from the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead on Tioga Road, about half a mile west of the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. The lake — one of two along this stretch of the John Muir Trail — draws hikers for its still water, subalpine meadows, and one of the closest trail views of Cathedral Peak in the park.

The Hike

It's 8.2 miles round trip to Lower Cathedral Lake and back, climbing about 1,000 feet from the trailhead (8,500 feet elevation) up to the lake itself (9,290 feet). The grade is steady and turns steep in stretches, and most hikers plan on 4 to 6 hours out and back. A short spur leaves the main trail for the lakeshore; the John Muir Trail itself continues on toward Cathedral Pass and Upper Cathedral Lake for those who want to add another mile or so.

Permits and Timing

• No permit is needed for a day hike — it's a straightforward out-and-back from the trailhead.
• Overnight camping at the lake requires a wilderness permit, available at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center.
• The trailhead is only reachable when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or June through October, depending on snowpack.
• Trailhead parking is limited; a larger lot sits near the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center if roadside spots are full, connected by a free summer shuttle.