Home Activities USA Yosemite National Park 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome

Activity Yosemite National Park, USA

5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome

5.0 (30 reviews) 5 days Free cancellation

out of 5

30 reviews

5.0

5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Kick off your Yosemite backpacking experience with one of the most iconic sections of the John Muir Trail, weaving between majestic alpine lakes to the summits of Clouds Rest and Half Dome! Camp the first night at Cathedral Lakes amid the spirit of the true high country, then hike the JMT up and over Cathedral Pass with stunning views of alpine peaks along the way. Set up camp in the Sunrise Lakes area for Night 3, and from there, tackle the Clouds Rest summit (9,926’) for one of the most spectacular views of Yosemite Valley in the park! Your adventure culminates with the summit of Half Dome (8,836’) before returning to Yosemite Valley on the Mist Trail passing two spectacular waterfalls. This trip’s strenuous itinerary is well worth it! If you’re looking for an authentic Yosemite experience, this is the adventure for you!

As the calendar is confusing:

2026 Dates are:

7/28-8/1

8/10-8/14

8/25-8/29

8/28-9/1

8/31-9/4

9/14-9/18

9/23-9/27

Hiking Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Multi-day Tours Private and Luxury Sustainable Tours Eco Tours Likely to Sell Out Small Group

At a glance

Duration: 5 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 10 people
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English
Operated by: Lasting Adventures

Ages: Adults (8–80 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lunch
Included: Dinner
Included: Breakfast

Not included

Not included: Guide Gratuities
Not included: Yosemite National Park Gate Fee (Must Be Paid On Entry By Visitor)

Itinerary

Day 1 · Day 1

Yosemite Valley

9 hours Admission not included

Meet your guide in Half Dome Village at 3:00 PM. Get acquainted with the group and with gear. If time allows before dinner, walk to some of the Valley’s iconic destinations. Eat dinner at one of the park’s numerous restaurants. (Food in the front-country is not included.) Camp in the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Camp.

Yosemite Valley Backpackers Camp

Day 2 · Day 2

Cathedral Lake Trail

one day Admission included

After grabbing breakfast in Curry Village, take the morning shuttle to the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead. Catch your first glimpse of the high country while hiking 3.2 moderate miles up to Lower Cathedral Lake (9,288′). Upon arrival, have lunch lakeside and set up camp with a stunning view, then spend the rest of the day exploring this iconic alpine lake area, with the option for another short hike up to Upper Cathedral Lake. We’ll return to camp this evening and enjoy a delicious hot meal and tea before bedding down beneath the stars. Also at this location: swimming, relaxing, and taking in an amazing sunset. Today’s mileage: 6 mi / +800-1,000′, -800-1,000′; Camp Location: Lower Cathedral Lake.

Backcountry camping at Lower Cathedral Lake

Day 3 · Day 3

Sunrise Lakes

one day Admission included

Hike the JMT up and over Cathedral Pass (9,700) for some of the trips most spectacular views, passing Matthes Crest, Tressider Peak, Echo Peaks, and Columbia Finger on the way to Sunrise Lakes. Find your reward for a full day of hiking at the top with a relaxing evening at camp beside Sunrise Lake, complete with a spectacular alpenglow sunset. Today’s mileage: 7 mi / +666′, -500′; Camp Location: Sunrise Lakes.

Backcountry Camping at Sunrise Lakes

Day 4 · Day 4

Cloud's Rest

one day Admission included

After a hearty breakfast, hike approximately 3.5 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest at 9,926′. Enjoy lunch at the top while soaking in one of Yosemite’s most renowned panoramic views. From the summit, hike down 5 miles to Sunrise Creek for the final night of camping. Today’s mileage: 7.3 mi / +800′, -2,800′; Camp Location: Sunrise Creek/John Muir Trail Junction.

Backcountry camping at Sunrise Creek

Day 5 · Day 5

Half Dome

15 hours Admission included

Wake early and hike 2.5 miles to top of Half Dome at 8,836′ (carrying only lightweight daypacks). Take in the views and descend the 2.5 miles back to camp before hiking out another 5.5 miles to Yosemite Valley via the Mist Trail. En route, experience two of the park’s most spectacular waterfalls. Our goal is typically to be finished between 2:00 and 3:00 PM if not sooner.

Optional. Many customers choose to purchase their own lunch after arriving back in the valley.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Curry Village Main Parking Lot near Shuttle Stop #14

End point

Curry Village Main Parking Lot near Shuttle Stop #14

Using your ticket

Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If this is the case a full refund of the amount paid will be returned. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for or traveling to the reserved experience. To contact Lasting Adventures prior to your trip, please email [email protected] or call 209-962-6251.

Meeting Location: https://goo.gl/maps/e9FdeM2XXCuUToMp9

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
2026 Dates: 7/28-8/1, 8/10-8/14, 8/25-8/29, 8/28-9/1, 8/31-9/4, 9/14-9/18, 9/23-9/27