While the hike to Cathedral Lakes isn’t especially difficult compared to some of the hikes in Yosemite, it’s mostly the elevation that will get you. The park is a wilderness area without supplies of any kind. At Lower Cathedral Lake work your way through the trees around the right side where you will pass through a number of good campsites. Pick your way down the drainage to the lake. The shuttle is for guests of the lodge, but campers can book a spot for $100. Coming from sea level as we did for a day-hike, the trail to Cathedral Lakes begins at 8,500 feet. The lakes in the park look like turquoise jewels in a granite setting and each have their own unique charm. Utilize Google satellite imagery to see a layout of the campground and/or surrounding area. This park ran in a narrow North-South corridor along Lakeview Creek from the Ashnola River in the North to the international boundary. Plan a side trip to Budd Lake. Sunrise and sunset with the reflection of Cathedral Peak on the glassy water is the best way to end and begin your day on the trail. The lower fork will take you to Lower Cathedral Lake. Cathedral Lakes Lodge Ltd. operates a lodge and cabins on Quiniscoe Lake and provides transportation by four-wheel-drive from Ashnola River to Quiniscoe Lake (for a fee). on the shore of Flagstaff Lake - 1,150' above sea level. The Park’s Core Area is only accessible by hiking routes from the Ashnola River corridor or, by a private jeep service, operated by Cathedral Lakes Resort. Cathedral Park offers hiking, fishing, camping, wilderness camping, and mountaineering. Why you should go: A two-day trek that delivers a highlight reel of the best … Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park is an amazing cirque feature, encompassing alpine ridges, granite spires and tarn lakes, while blessed with Okanagan sunshine and favorable weather conditions. Deer are seen occasionally in the area. Cathedral Lakes Lodge is perched on the banks of shimmering Quiniscoe Lake, and at 6,800 feet it is Canada’s highest full-service hiking and fishing wilderness lodge. Cathedral Lakes Lodge, at 6,800 feet on Quiniscoe Lake, is 'the Great White North's highest full service lodge. About 2 hours into the trail, I took a break near a fork off the … marketing. This campsite is located at mile 17.1 of the John Muir Trail. Mid June  – Sept 27 weather-permitting(subject to change without notice). I’ve hiked the Cathedral Lakes Trail several times already and do highly recommend it. bold media group inc. | web . Cathedral Lakes Backpack Trip Overview - High Sierra Trails Master backpacking skills and hone your decision-making to competently travel in a backcountry setting safely. Hiking Distance: lower lake 3.5 miles, upper lake 3.7 miles The lower lake is larger and probably more frequently visited on … 2021 Reservation Information...click here for further details. Location: Yosemite National Park Upper Cathedral Lake elevation: 9,685 feet Cathedral Provincial Park — Off the Beaten Path. View Camping Page Stay up to date on all the travel and camping news Take your camera, but leave your fishing pole behind. For the latest information about fishing and hunting regulations that may affect this area, consult, California Freshwater Sportfishing and Hunting Regulations. September and October are much quieter times, especially mid-week. For this trip, I just wanted to camp at Lower Cathedral Lake and do Upper Cathedral Lake another day. Cathedral Lakes are nestled at the foot of Cathedral Peak. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Anyone considering an overnight or longer hike should inform a responsible person or agency of their intentions. The area is popular with rock climbers. This glorious Provincial Park is chock-full of stunning 360-degree vistas, sapphire glacier lakes, rugged mountain peaks, and untamed wildlife & ecology. I fished for about an hour and caught a … Cathedral Lakes Trail is a 8.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. 16km, 6-7 hours, 1357m vertical climb. Follow the Smith Lake Trail east for a couple of miles. There is roughly around a 1,000 ft. of elevation gain if you were to go all the way to Upper Cathedral Lake. Make reservations early. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Yosemite bears used to snag backpacker's food with regularity around Cathedral Lakes, but with the introduction of bear canisters they have learned that campsites are no longer a source of food. Mosquitoes are at their worst through mid-summer. Hikers should be in possession of suitable maps. Yosemite National Park's website offers great information about birding in the park. Wilderness Permits are required for backpacking in Yosemite, and can be obtained as early as 24 weeks in advance during the quota season, May through October. Twin Butes is the last camping area before Pyramid Lake. Muster point – Base Camp Cathedral Lakes Lodge Here at the Base Camp you’ll be greeted by Lodge staff and be guided across another gated bridge to a parking area where you’ll leave your car. Cathedral isn’t your conventional camping trip, this is both a challenging and rewarding experience! Cathedral Park is southwest of Keremeos and accessible via Hwy 3. One particularly nice spot is on the small peninsula near the western end of the lake. It is a popular area for mountaineering and rock climbing. Welcome to Cathedral Lakes Lodge. Cathedral Lakes Lodge provides jeep transportation service (fee for service) from the base area to the Lodge next to Quiniscoe Lake in the park’s core area, 16 km away. Get more info. There are other options for camping scattered between the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake, and around Amphitheater Mountain. Suitable clothing, including good waterproof/windproof raingear and insulating layers like fleece and down, is a must even if temperatures are warm in the Okanagan Valley. Cathedral Lakes Lodge is Canada’s highest full service hiking and fishing wilderness lodge. design . Cathedral Core Area: $10.00 per Adult / night (age 16 and older); $5.00 per child / night Ashnola FSR: No charge as serviced only weekly. To reserve transportation, phone 1 (888) 255-4453. You can camp overnight here with a special permit. Both lakes have breathtaking views of 10,911-foot Cathedral Peak. Cathedral Lakes Hike. LAKEVIEW TRAILHEAD to Quiniscoe Lake. Beautiful from June-October, prepare for marshy conditions. You’ll likely see backpackers set up on one side of this lake. It’s less busy than any hikes in the Yosemite Valley.. Once you get down by the lake, follow the shoreline to the east and cross the outlet between Cathedral and Middle lakes. Wilderness Permits are in high demand for any locations along the John Muir Trail. Cathedral Pines Campground is located in a beautiful, mature Red Pine forest. For those seeking a little more solitude, camp among the trees on the west shore of the lower lake. Trailhead: Tuolumne Meadows, elevation 8,565 feet The lower lake's mile-long shoreline offers an abundance of spacious campsites among the trees along its northern and western shores. Camping Under a Cathedral: This spot is easy to get to from Toulumne Meadows, and worth a day hike. Cathedral Park is southwest of Keremeos and accessible via Hwy 3. Always confirm information with the service provider and check for any recent changes that may have been made. Lower Cathedral Lake is also along the way, about a half mile off of the main trail. Hiking in to the Core Area will require at least 1 full day. Elevation Gain: lower lake 1,000 feet, upper lake 1,120 feet We are located near Quiniscoe Lake, 2000 metres (6800 ft.) above sea level in the heart of Cathedral Provincial Park and Protected Area. You’ll pass a junction with the High Meadow Trail. This information should include estimated departure and return times. More isolated sites are found along the western side. Gla cier Point Loop. The hour-long unimog ride isn’t cheap, but it eliminates an 8 hour hike up the mountain, covering 16 km and 1300 meters of elevation. Horses are also able to use this trail. Contact Us. You can reach the Cathedral Lake trailhead from various places in Tuolumne Meadow by using their free shuttle in the summer. Camping Under a Cathedral. From our lodge, you have access to more than 60 km of well-maintained alpine hiking trails. Cathedral Core Area: Mid June – Sept 27 - weather-permitting Ashnola FSR: May 15 – Thanksgiving, weather-permitting, Cathedral Core Area: Approx. Switchback up to the left towards Upper Cathedral Lake and stunning Cathedral Pass. Once you reach Cathedral Lake you will not be disappointed. Cathedral Park offers hiking, fishing, camping, wilderness camping, and mountaineering. Transportation, whether you’re camping or staying in the Lodge must be … (bookings required) For the more adventurous, hike to The Farmyard to stay overnight with only lyrebirds for company. With so many heavy feet tramping along the John Muir Trail, rattlesnakes are rare. National Topographic Series Maps Sheet 092H/01 (Ashnola) at a scale of 1:50,000 covers the Cathedral Lakes area. EWART CREEK TRAILHEAD to Twin Butes. Cathedral Lakes is only accessible for hiking from ~June-October, depending on snow melt. All visitors must be prepared for outdoor living and be aware that freezing temperatures and snow may occur during any month. To reach Upper Cathedral Lake, head back the way you came to the junction on the John Muir Trail (JMT). Jagged peaks surround the lake. The park included the Cathedral Lakes area. Make the .75 miles detour off of the John Muir Trail to reach this spot and you won't regret it. The Park’s Core Area is only accessible by hiking routes from the Ashnola River corridor or, by a private jeep service, operated by Cathedral Lakes Resort. There are a ton of campsites and places to layout and relax for the day. Only 3½ miles from Tuolumne Meadows, the lakes are a wonderful weekend destination and also a favorite stopping place for John Muir Trail Hikers coming up from Yosemite Valley. Expect to find others at these popular lakes. The extraordinary Cathedral Provincial Park owes its name to sensational mountain peaks that reach over 2600m/8,500 ft around a bowl in the Cascade Mountains just north of the U.S.A. border. Cathedral Provincial Park Though that’s been years ago and now it’s like a very busy trail. Upper Cathedral Lake has a handful of good tent sites, and Lower Cathedral Lake, about a mile away following the trail, also has a few more sites. No-trace camping allowed at Haystack Lakes. Please be aware of these camping ethics. Cathedral Lakes are among the most impressive of Yosemite's granite wrapped High Sierra Lakes. A mile-long auto road leads to the top of 700-foot Cathedral Ledge where views across the Saco River Valley to the White Mountains can be enjoyed. Link to a map of the area to plan your route. Plan your trip for fall when fewer people are on the trail and mosquitoes are gone. Located between the dense, wet forests of the Cascade Mountains and the desert-like Okanagan Valley, this mountainous park offers a rich variety of terrain, flora and fauna. Budd Lake has been cleared of fish to provide habitat for the endangered yellow-legged frog. 20km, 6-7 hours, 1433m vertical climb. Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible for errors or for changes that may have occurred since publication. Camping & accommodation Only two hours north-east of Melbourne, camp at the foot of the spectacular Cathedral Range and choose between the peaceful ruins of Cooks Mill or the woodland clearing at Neds Gully. The upper lake adds additional camping possibilities. In slightly deeper water they dive to the bottom. The majority of people visit the park by either camping or booking a room at the Cathedral Lakes Provincial Lodge. Climb the highest peaks, make friendly with the resident mountain goats, and take a dip in a glacier lake all in a … The trail through this area is the famous John Muir Trail, which sees high traffic all season. Walk-up permits are available at the permit office in Tuolumne Meadows, but at peak times people begin lining up in the middle of the night. The scenic beauty of Cathedral Lakes draws both day hikers and backpackers to their shores. Check with rangers about the suitability of conditions before setting out on any hike or other forest activity. Lower Cathedral Lake elevation: 9,288 feet Steep Climb, most direct route to Core Area, carry drinking water. Cathedral Lakes Lodge offers a unimog shuttle service from their base camp to the heart of Cathedral Provincial Park. Where can I camp? Hikers will enjoy views of Cathedral Peak and Echo Peak and access to Long Meadow, Sunrise High Sierra Camp, and Sunrise Lakes. Tents and sleeping bags must be able to withstand periods of inclement weather. First Come First Serve, Overflow Camping, as well as registering on a Waitlist, may be available. Cathedral Lake via Bighorn Crags Campground is a 8.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Cobalt, Idaho that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Ducks have chosen Cathedral Lakes as a favorite place to dive for food. On the northern side of Middle Lake, you’ll join the Smith Lake Trail. Taking the left (upper) fork will keep you on the John Muir Trail and lead you to Upper Cathedral Lake, as well as the Sunrise High Sierra Camp and Yosemite Valley if you're sufficiently diligent. The original area of Cathedral Provincial Park was established on May 2, 1968, with an area of 18,000 hectares (44,000 acres). Once on the top, a new accessible hiking trail leads to a view of the valley. From Randle, drive west on U.S. Highway 12 for about 11 miles, and turn left onto Kosmos Road. Hiking Both Cathedral and nearby White Horse ledges are popular rock and ice climbing walls. Sometimes they offer the familiar tails up as they nibble off the shallow lakebed near shore. Highest point on the trail to the lower lake: 9,565 feet A true wilderness experience, Cathedral Park comprises an expanse of jagged mountain peaks, fascinating rock formations, azure lakes and flower-dappled alpine meadows that is definitely for the adventurous. The information provided on this website is done so without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Length 8.6 miElevation gain 1551 ftRoute type Out & Back Pass the campground and cross the bridge, then make a right onto Forest Road 2600. At the intersection 1000 feet later, turn left and follow this road 4 miles, past Riffe Lake toward Taidnapam Park and campground. 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