Cathedral Lakes Camping

Is overnight camping allowed at the Cathedral Lakes? Have read it is at the Upper Lake but not the Lower. Will be trekking through the area in July 2010. Thanks, Mark

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mschaefer
Is overnight camping allowed at the Cathedral Lakes? Have read it is at the Upper Lake but not the Lower. Will be trekking through the area in July 2010. Thanks, Mark

You need to be away from the water and at least 4 trail miles from the trailhead.

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eeek

Quote
mschaefer
Is overnight camping allowed at the Cathedral Lakes? Have read it is at the Upper Lake but not the Lower. Will be trekking through the area in July 2010. Thanks, Mark

You need to be away from the water and at least 4 trail miles from the trailhead.

Neither of the lakes is 4 trail miles from the trailhead.

However, the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map of the area (2006 printing, which I think is the current version) shows both lakes to be excluded from the "no overnight camping" zone. Since, I believe, that the rangers use this map as their reference, you should be able to camp at either lake.

I think the lower lake is off limits due to the fragility of the environs. Bill-e-g knows for sure I believe.

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Old Dude

Yosemite National Park Complete Hikers Guide
J. Schaffer

<http://books.google.com/books?id=RP1KjfCTIt4C&pg=PA226&dq=hiking+yosemite++tuolumne+meadows+cathedral+schaffer&ei=8dfXSqyIEIm4kwSxnMGsCA#v=onepage&q=&f=false>;



see page 228-229 Hike 44 mentions Upper Cathedral Lake is 4 miles from trailhead and camping is "discouraged" (whatever that means)

I seem to recall campers there several years ago when I passed through.

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The cure for a fallacious argument is a better argument, not the suppression of ideas.
-- Carl Sagan

In July there were campers on the north side of the lower lake close to the outlet. This is O.K. except for the fact they were only 50' back from the lake instead the 100' minimum. The rangers do go by the Nat Geo Trails Illustrated Maps which say neither lake is in the no camping zone.

Jim

If you're still around the definitive answer is : Yes

You can camp at either lake. The additional rule is that there is no campfires allowed.
Just too much pressure on those lakes.

Leave no trace.