I parked at the inlet side and started late in the afternoon. I arrived at Lower Cathedral Lake by moonlight and a headlamp.
Dusk over Tenaya Lake while climbing. Car lights are visible on Tioga Road:
Going up. Moonlight reflects off the smooth granite surface. Tenaya Peak on the right.
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I saw some headlamps on Cathedral Peak. Later, two guys passed by and we chatted. They had made “a massive loop”: Tenaya Peak, Matthes Crest, Cathedral Peak.
In the morning, I met three girls sitting at the lakeshore, bundled in sleeping bags, enjoying the dawn.
I chatted with a guy from Colorado who had camped nearby. He lives at 9000 feet.
Another group was amazed by the views.
I had a late start.
While circling Lower Cathedral Lake, I met a couple and I mentioned to them the view of Tenaya Lake.
I had a break at Upper Cathedral Lake. A day-hiking family was resting on the opposite shore.
Cathedral Peak over Upper Cathedral Lake:
I met a backpacker from Japan with a large camera. He lives in Southern California. A salesperson for a ramen company. We talked about nearby mountains, the Thousand Island Lake area, and hikes in the southern Sierra.
At Echo Lake, I met an almost 70-year-old guy. His father (it must have been Ernest Braun) took photos for the “Living Water” book, mostly in this area. He pointed out to me the nearby pass where his father’s ashes were scattered. He has been hiking since the ‘60s.
He told me about some people doing extreme kayaking on Tenaya Creek. Later, a ranger gave them tickets. We talked more about hiking in the Sierra.
He told me that most creeks had no water. He suggested that, instead of going around south of the hill west of Matthes Lake (a continuation of Matthes Crest), it would be better to go over the saddle west of Mathes Lake. I followed his advice, and it worked well.
At Matthes Lake, I didn’t see anyone.
Matthes Lake and Matthes Crest:
At Nelson Lake there was a loud group with amplified music. I camped away from them.
Nelson Lake:
