Overview

The California Cathedral Mountains have a picturesque beauty, adding a special treat to your visit to Yosemite National Park. Besides the gorgeous views, this range offers accessible backcountry for those who want to get outdoors and experience Yosemite up close and personal.

Location & Information

The Cathedral Mountains lie immediately to the south of Tuolumne Meadows off of Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park.

Tioga Road closes in the winter months due to snowfall. The best times to come are when the campgrounds are open, from late June to mid-September.

Contact information: 209-372-0200

Activities

• Hiking
  In the Cathedral Mountains California you can move through the amazing terrain on a number of trails. The John Muir Trail is one of the most popular for hiking and it will even take you all the way to Yosemite Valley. Trailheads into the Cathedral Range start from the Tuolumne Meadows area. Hike to the Cathedral Lakes and Cathedral Pass. Any trail you choose will provide some of the best hiking in the park.
• Backcountry Camping
  Backpacking into the backcountry will take you to some wonderful places to camp. At one High Sierra campground, Vogelsang, you will discover a beautiful alpine setting and a comfortable tent cabin with beds, wood stove and even breakfast and dinner served.
• Wildlife Watching
  You may very well see a deer, coyote or bear as you visit the area around the Cathedral Range. It’s always a thrill to see these animals in their natural environment.

Fun Facts

Glaciers sculpted the Cathedral Mountain Range as they moved through the area millions of years ago. The peaks, however, were above the level of the glacial movement; therefore they are like spires because they escaped erosion.