🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike
Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
🥾
Trail Ready
37°F, Clear Sky. Layer for elevation. Summit conditions may differ from trailhead.
💨 Wind
6 mph S
Gusts to 6 mph
💧 Humidity
67%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:30 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
7:23 pm
Off trail by this
5-Day Forecast
💧 Humidity
65% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
5% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
59% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
79% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
46% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
☁️
Wed, Sep 9
Overcast Clouds
💧 Humidity
84% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out.
Sep 4, 11:30 pm
A classic stretch of the John Muir Trail in Yosemite’s high country, climbing through pristine sub-alpine terrain to Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes beneath a soaring granite spire.
Trail Overview
Yosemite parking logistics are the hardest part of this hike. The Tuolumne Meadows lot fills by 9am on summer weekends. Check current reservation and parking requirements before you go — they change year to year. The trail itself is one of the finest in the park: well-maintained, beautiful, and moderately challenging.
This Hike Is For You If…
Intermediate hikers comfortable with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Families with fit older kids. Anyone visiting Yosemite who wants to experience the high country.
Skip This Hike If…
Skip if you have not checked current Yosemite parking and reservation requirements. Skip if you plan to arrive after 9am on a summer weekend.
What to Expect on Trail
Terrain: Well-maintained John Muir Trail. Granite slabs and packed dirt. No technical sections.
Shade: Mostly Exposed
Water: Seasonal. Creek near trailhead. Limited above. Carry two liters minimum.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Yosemite high country crowded all summer. September dramatically better.
Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.
Best Arrival: Before 8am to secure parking. Tuolumne fills fast on summer weekends.
This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.
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8.0 miRound Trip
1000 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
4-6 hoursEst. Time
9585 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
RequiredPermit
Trailhead & Logistics
Address: Tuolumne Meadows Trailhead, Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Parking: Tuolumne Meadows parking lot. Yosemite entrance fee required. Summer reservation system may apply — check nps.gov/yose before your trip.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 8am to secure parking. Tuolumne fills fast on summer weekends.
Trail Reality Check
Yosemite parking logistics are the hardest part of this hike. The Tuolumne Meadows lot fills by 9am on summer weekends. Check current reservation and parking requirements before you go — they change year to year. The trail itself is one of the finest in the park: well-maintained, beautiful, and moderately challenging.
Terrain: Well-maintained John Muir Trail. Granite slabs and packed dirt. No technical sections.
Shade: Mostly Exposed
Water: Seasonal — Creek near trailhead. Limited above. Carry two liters minimum.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Very Busy — Yosemite high country crowded all summer. September dramatically better.
Who should do this: Intermediate hikers comfortable with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Families with fit older kids. Anyone visiting Yosemite who wants to experience the high country.
Who should skip this: Skip if you have not checked current Yosemite parking and reservation requirements. Skip if you plan to arrive after 9am on a summer weekend.
