Cathedral Lakes Trail: Yosemite National Park
A hike through mountain meadows filled with flowers and ringed by granite domes

What you'll see on this hike:
While perhaps not as well known as Tuolumne Meadows -- its neighbor to the east -- the mountain meadows along this trail are just as enchanting, filled with vivid wildflowers and brilliant green grasses.

The hike begins in the forest, but frequently opens up into lush meadows and broad vistas of Cathedral Peak, Fairview Dome and glacier-covered Mount Conness. At the junction 2.8 miles in, turn right toward Lower Cathedral Lake. The trail dips down through woods, then opens up on one of the most stunning meadows in the Sierra. Here, a brimming creeks slips over granite slabs and nourishes an expanse of bright grasses, radiant purple elephant's head, red Indian paintbrush, white yarrow and pale blue shooting stars.

Heavy snowfalls and a brief growing season create flower-filled meadows like this one. But global warming is likely to reduce snow cover and make summers longer, hotter and drier -- conditions that are less conducive to wildflower growth.

But for now, the blooms here remain radiant. Enjoy them as you walk to the west side of the meadow to Lower Cathedral Lake. Bask in the sun on the granite slabs and gaze at Cathedral Park. Return through the meadow to the main trail and turn right to head to the bowl that encircles Upper Cathedral Lake and Cathedral, Echo and Tresidder peaks.

Note: Parking can be hard to find at the trailhead. Hop on the Tuolumne Meadows shuttle to Stop 7 instead and avoid the crush. Also, black bears have become accustomed to searching for food in the lake campsites, so enclose all food in tight canisters.

Trailhead: Cathedral Lakes Trailhead on the Tioga Road west of Tuolumne Meadows Visitors Center
Distance: 8 miles roundtrip to both lakes
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet