High Sierra Topix

Greetings High Sierra Veterans!

I managed to get permits for Tuolumne to Cathedral Lakes 2 weeks from now and was planning on going through to Sunrise Lakes and Cloud’s Rest then turning around. It’s a solo trip and I wanted to avoid the long shuttle ride.

Would you recommend the above route or a trip to Hamilton Lakes via Bearpaw Meadow in SEKI if I haven’t been to either of these places? The permit for Cathedral was a cinch to get.

Im a bit worried about reports of crowds, mosquitos and campsites in Cathedral / Sunrise Lakes being overrun and damaged.

Thank you!

You won't have any mosquitoes in September. And if you got a permit, you probably won't find too many people--Cathedral does get a lot of traffic from the JMT, but by then that will have calmed down.

Campsites? You have lots to choose from. Don't be afraid to explore around all sides of all the lakes.

Thank you very much @balzaccom ! Im excited to give this a shot.

I was at Lower Cathedral Lake two weeks ago on a weekday. There were no mosquitoes. There were about three other groups camping at the lake and maybe a dozen day hikers during the day. It’s a large lake and didn’t feel too busy.

Note that Tuolumne Meadows campground closes Sept 20 so you can’t use the backpackers campground there.

moonlite.tango wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 3:14 am Im a bit worried about reports of crowds, mosquitos and campsites in Cathedral / Sunrise Lakes being overrun and damaged.

It's a busy area, but on the daytrips I've done through there, I don't remember it being overly impacted. It's not the Trinity Alps where there are 10 tent pads around every lake.

@GBDGBD thanks for the reminder and trail notes. Was planning on camping around Cathedral on night 1.