5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome

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 f

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: 2026 Dates are: 6/27-7/1 7/16-7/20 7/27-7/31 8/8-8/12 8/29-9/2 9/18-9/22

From: $0.00

Location: Yosemite National Park

What's Included

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: Is there a minimum age requirement for this hike? My daughter is 16 and loves hiking but I wanna make sure it's safe for her.

A: Yes, there's no strict minimum age, but it's recommended that participants be at least 16, especially due to the strenuous nature of the hike. Your daughter sounds like a great candidate if she's into hiking! Just make sure she's prepared for the altitude and the long days on the trail.

Q: What kind of gear should I bring for the hike, especially for camping and summiting Half Dome?

A: You'll need a good backpack, sleeping bag, and a tent for camping. For summit day, bring sturdy shoes, plenty of water, and snacks. Also, don't forget layers since it can get chilly at night or on the summit. A headlamp is useful too!

Q: What happens if the weather is bad during the trip? Can we reschedule or get a refund?

A: If weather conditions are unsafe, they'll usually offer to reschedule. Refunds might not be guaranteed, but they do their best to accommodate. Always check the cancellation policy when booking!

Discussions

Just booked the Cathedral Lakes to Half Dome trip—so excited!

I just got my spot for the 7/27-7/31 trip, and I can't wait! I've hiked the JMT before but never summited Half Dome. The views are supposed to be insane! I'm a bit nervous about the strenuous parts though. Any tips for first-timers?

Anyone else worried about the difficulty of the Half Dome summit?

I’m thinking of giving this as a gift to my partner, but I’m worried about how tough the Half Dome summit will be. He’s fit but hasn’t done anything like this before. Any thoughts?