Let the day happen around you

I woke up at Cathedral Lakes, crawled out of my tent, and sniffed the air. Downwind, a 400 pound black bear was doing the same. Rumbling up out of the firs surrounding Cathedral Lakes the bear ambled closer. Thinking quickly, I grabbed a pot and a spoon and starting banging. The bear got close enough to look me in the eye and said: "That's a pot and a spoon! You got nothin. Ya hear me? Nothin. Next time I'm comin back and I'm gonna eat all your granola."

And then he turned and slowly shambled back into the woods.

Cathedral Lakes is a pristine alpine lake, off the beaten track (unless you are a bear), five miles from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. A couple of hours hike in on a rolling trail takes you to a wide open grassy meadow, a lake and the towers of Cathedral Peaks. Throw your tent down and let the day happen around you. On a weekday, you will have this place all to yourself.

Continue on (if you must) to connect with the John Muir Trail. Ambitious backpackers can make a 50 mile circuit, or hike down into Yosemite Valley.

Directions:
You can get to Tuolumne Meadows via the east and west entrances of the National Park along Tioga Road (Hwy 120 - closed in winter). The visitor center is 7 miles west of Tioga Pass and 55 miles from Yosemite Valley. Pick up the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead at the side of the road. Follow the John Muir Trail to Cathedral Lakes.
--sm