5 Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome

Overview

Kick off your Yosemite backpacking experience with one of the most iconic sections of the John Muir Trail, weaving between majestic alpine lakes to the summits of Clouds Rest and Half Dome! Camp the first night at Cathedral Lakes amid the spirit of the true high country, then hike the JMT up and over Cathedral Pass with stunning views of alpine peaks along the way. Set up camp in the Sunrise Lakes area for Night 3, and from there, tackle the Clouds Rest summit (9,926’) for one of the most spectacular views of Yosemite Valley in the park! Your adventure culminates with the summit of Half Dome (8,836’) before returning to Yosemite Valley on the Mist Trail passing two spectacular waterfalls. This trip’s strenuous itinerary is well worth it! If you’re looking for an authentic Yosemite experience, this is the adventure for you!

As the calendar is confusing, our 2025 dates are:
6/20-6/24
7/5-7/9
7/21-7/25
8/2-8/6
8/16-8/20
9/1-9/5
9/19-9/23

City: Yosemite National Park

Tue 13 May

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $2800.00

Make a reservation

Tue 13 May

Starting at $2800.00

Make a reservation

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Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
2025 Dates: 6/20-6/24, 7/5-7/9, 7/21-7/25, 8/2-8/6, 8/16-8/20, 9/1-9/5, 9/19-9/23

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (25)

shannenramey

Aug 2019

My parents and I had an incredible experience backpacking through the breathtaking Yosemite National Park, thanks to the help of Lasting Adventures. Kara and Alice were skillful guides who made our trip truly unforgettable. Kara's personality was super bubbly and outgoing, while Alice was incredibly sweet and knowledgeable. They made sure everyone in the group was having an amazing time and made sure that no one was left behind on the trail, regardless of athletic abilities. They were able to share stories about the park history and facts about the wildlife that you wouldn't get if you didn't go with this guide service. And the food was so delicious! Every meal contained fresh and wholesome ingredients that were crafted into superb dishes. We had everything from fajitas to pasta to red velvet cake. You will not be disappointed with this guide service and we highly recommend Kara and Alice as guides. We had such an outstanding trip that we cannot wait to book our next trip with Lasting Adventures!

AmityPD75

Aug 2019

5 days & 4 nights guided back packing experience in Yosemite National Park. August 8-13, 2019. When I signed up for this trip, the difficulty was rated as "Difficult". I usually look at these things and say "Eh, they are just covering their ass". I can honestly say this was the most difficult hike I have ever experienced personally. Plus, it was my first time with a backpack. The weather was beautiful. The views were unbelievable. The experience was unforgettable. Yosemite has to be seen to be believed. The trip was lead by our 2 guides, Will & Matt. Their knowledge of the trails and park was incredible. Their personalities were terrific. Just right for the mixed bag of good friends and new friends in our group. Really, just a perfect match. Matt prepared all the meals. I was expecting freeze dried MRE's but instead was treated to an actual cooked meal from a different cuisine every night. Which was amazing because all of the food was carried in our backpacks and theirs. Along with all of the pots and pans and cooking tools. By the way, all they ask is that you carry a bear can, they carried EVERYTHING else and you would never know that their pack was probably at least 10 pounds heavier than ours. Matts cooking catered to all the different eating habits in the group from vegetarian to gluten free to your typical carnivore. For breakfast one morning he made a frittata which I had never even heard of. It tasted as good as it looked which was pretty amazing. Matt, if I can offer you one bit of advice on your brownie dessert...Try adding the eggs next time 😜. Will was by his side every meal dicing vegetables, boiling water and helping with the dishes afterwards. He will forever be remembered by me for something much bigger however. I am terribly afraid of exposed heights. He actually got me to the top of Mt. Hoffman, over the top of Clouds Rest (not on the "spine" though, you have to know your limits. He got me over the top about 8' lower where there was a ridge with some rocks on one side of me.) and he got me up to the top of Half Dome where our group was fortunate enough to be the ONLY 8 PEOPLE on the summit for a beautiful sunset AND a delicious macaroni and cheese tortellini dinner with vegetables and sausage! After sunset, dinner and dessert on top of HD, Will did something even more incredible for me..he got me down in the dark!! He has the patience of a saint and guided me every step of the way up and down. I am forever grateful to him for helping me past my fear for at least these 2 occasions. My disappointment in myself would have been immeasurable if I had not listened to him and I sat out the climbs up and down any of those 3 summits. Thank you Will for making my vacation one I am forever proud of and will never forget. Thank you Matt for your tireless efforts around the "stove" even after the late night after HD and for offering me the encouragement I needed to try those summits. Thank you both for your conversations at the "back of the pack". This was a 5 day trip I will remember as long as I live thanks to Matt, Will and great group of new and old friends I shared it with. I would HIGHLY recommend this trip to anyone with a sense of adventure. And lastly, thank you Lasting Adventures for an extremely affordable and fantastic way to see one of our nations most awesome treasures. Rich Blackmore

212454476

Aug 2019

Three summits 7/26-30. The park was beautiful by it's own. But we had the most incredible guides in Trey and Kelsey. Our group was 6 random people from all over and Trey had an amazing ability to provide enough entertainment and guidance to suit everyone's different personality and skill level. Trey's meals were absolutely amazing and his knowledge of the locations on the trail and spots to see were absolutely jaw dropping. They absolutely made this trip for me, so grateful. I'm still in contact with members of our group.