that like both the John Muir trail (JMT) and some of your own trail-blazing. The trail-head is
on HWY 120 (Tioga Pass Road) one mile west of Tuolumne Meadows. You will see many
vehicles parked along-side the road and the parking can be crowded in mid-summer.
About 1/8 mile from the trail-head you will see the 'climbers' trail spur on the left side
of the John Muir Trail. It is easily identified with a log blocking the spur, but the trail is
well used and will soon meanders adjacent to Budd Creek. Cathedral Peak will be on
your right as you are making your way to Budd Lake. If Cathedral Peak is on your left
then you are on the well-traveled John Muir Trail and on your way to Cathedral Lakes.
On the trail you will see both pine and fir trees and as you climb in elevation you will
see hemlocks that are mostly shrubs. The elevation at the trail-head is 8,600' and the
Budd Lake route will take you slightly over 10,000' at destination.
In the late spring and early summer you will see numerous creeklets along the trail
along with lush green meadows and wild flowers. Cathedral Peak will begin to take
up most of the left-side horizon the closer you get to Cathedral and then you will see
the spur to Lower Cathedral Lake which is 1/2 mile away on a well used trail. As you
return from Lower Cathedral Lake make a right turn to stay on the JMT until you
arrive at Upper Cathedral Lake (3/4 mile).
At Upper Cathedral Lake you will see Cathedral Peak to your left and a very intimidating
granite wall directly in front of you. Continue walking directly to the face of the wall
and then make a 90 degree left turn and follow the contour steadily walking up to the
saddle where Cathedral Peak takes in most of the field of view.
When the contours are mostly level then you have reached the top and Cathedral Peak is
directly ahead of you and Budd Lake is 90 degrees to your right about .75 miles. The hike
is now at the highest elevation and everything now is down-hill to Budd Lake.
The trail from Budd Lake, back to the HWY 120 trail-head takes you adjacent to Budd Creek
on your right. You will again pass through a forest of pine and fir trees and meadows with
wild flowers. Give yourself 6 hours to complete the loop with a rest-stop at Budd Lake.
