Cathedral Lake
Yosemite NP
CATHEDRAL PEAK
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF CATHEDRAL PEAK
It has been said, “If it were easy, anyone could do it”. This is what came to mind when arriving at Upper Cathedral Lake and was able to experience this magnificent location.
In the backcountry of Yosemite National Park (off the Tioga Pass) you can find some of the best places to hike and photograph the wonders of Yosemite. But, like many great places - getting to this spot can be challenging. At the end of a tough 4-mail hike (with 1,000 elevation gain), you will come to this wonderful high country lake that provides breath-taking views of Cathedral Peak. And as the sunset approaches, the granite peaks light up with a glow that you will never forget.
Photo and assistance with location summary by Mark Brodkin
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DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH CATHEDRAL PEAK SUMMARY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as 3 - 4 (with 5 being most difficult) depending on your ability to hike in high elevation environments with considerable elevation gain. This challenging, but beautiful hike to Upper Cathedral Lake is 4.1 miles each way with an elevation gain of over 1,000 ft and takes about 3 - 4 hrs each way.
Carrying 20 - 45 lbs of photography and potentially camping equipment for this distance/elevation gain is a tough hike for most folks. So I would strongly urge caution before starting this adventure.
Once you have hiked the long trail to the Upper Cathedral Lake, you can choose your composition and prepare for the late afternoon. To photograph the lake and peak is fairly straightforward. However, in order to get the Cathedral Peak in the center of the reflection, you will need to scramble up quite a bit of rock and establish a relatively high shooting position. TO GET TO THIS POSITION, THE HIKE IS PRETTY SKETCHY, TO SAY THE LEAST. Obviously, use extreme caution as you are a very long way from medical attention if you fall.
Be prepared to shoot an hour or so before sunset as the rays of the setting sun will move fast and you will only get one chance to catch the glow on the peak. Again, you may need/want to keep your tripod/camera in the same position until sunset to catch the setting sun in the sky and composite them together.
Below are 2 images of the same location - rendered and cropped differently. Both are great representations.
The hike to Upper Cathedral Lake is not easy and you will want to carry as little equipment as possible. Depending on your composition, you can shoot this location with either a standard or wide-angle lens. However, to get the entire scene (lake, Cathedral Peak, reflection, and surrounding areas) you will want to take your wide-angle lens. If you have a 16-35mm zoom, this would be the lens you want to bring.
9,606 Ft. Elevation
Other Resources Available with Membership
KMZ Trail File
Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Permits Required
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Overnight Lodging/Camping
Nearby Restaurants
Area Guides and Workshops
Other Resources
LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
