YOSEMITE VILLAGE HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Cathedral Lakes to Half Dome: A Five-Day Yosemite Traverse from Alpine Lakes to Valley Floor
A guided, 5-day backpacking route that links Cathedral Lakes, Clouds Rest and Half Dome, then descends past Nevada and Vernal Falls into Yosemite Valley—this guide distills the route, logistics and essential highlights.
Cathedral Lakes to Half Dome: A Five-Day Yosemite Traverse from Alpine Lakes to Valley Floor.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime, guided 5-day backpacking traverse through Yosemite’s high country and down into the Valley. Beginning at the clear, reflective shores of Cathedral Lakes beneath Cathedral Peak, the route carries you over alpine ridgelines and Clouds Rest, up the iconic Half Dome cables, and finally down the thunder of Nevada and Vernal Falls into the shadow of El Capitan—an itinerary that condenses Yosemite’s signature landscapes into a single epic journey.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Alpine lakes to the cables of Half Dome
The traverse links Cathedral Lakes with Clouds Rest and the famous Half Dome cables, offering alpine lakes, high ridgelines and the exhilaration of summiting Half Dome via its cables route (permits secured by the operator).
360-degree panoramas from Clouds Rest
Cresting Clouds Rest reveals sweeping, often-cited views—frequently called one of Yosemite’s best viewpoints—where the scale of the park’s granite domes and valleys becomes unmistakable.
A waterfall finish into Yosemite Valley
The final descent threads the Mist Trail/John Muir Trail corridor past Nevada and Vernal Falls, delivering the thunder of the cascades before you emerge into Yosemite Valley beneath Half Dome and El Capitan.
What the day feels like
What the five-day traverse feels like
Expect a compact, continuous wilderness experience: nights under the stars at Little Yosemite Valley and high-country camps, long day walks that rack up 27–30 miles across the route and roughly 8,000 feet of total elevation gain and loss, and the steadily building drama from alpine lakes to the cables and down past Yosemite’s great waterfalls.
THE ROUTE
Alpine lakes to the cables of Half Dome
The traverse links Cathedral Lakes with Clouds Rest and the famous Half Dome cables, offering alpine lakes, high ridgelines and the exhilaration of summiting Half Dome via its cables route (permits secured by the operator).
THE VIEW
360-degree panoramas from Clouds Rest
Cresting Clouds Rest reveals sweeping, often-cited views—frequently called one of Yosemite’s best viewpoints—where the scale of the park’s granite domes and valleys becomes unmistakable.
THE FINALE
A waterfall finish into Yosemite Valley
The final descent threads the Mist Trail/John Muir Trail corridor past Nevada and Vernal Falls, delivering the thunder of the cascades before you emerge into Yosemite Valley beneath Half Dome and El Capitan.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trek suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Permits for key sections, meals and backcountry bear canisters are provided by the operator.
This is a 5-day guided backpacking itinerary covering the full traverse.
The trip runs as a small-group experience with guide support and logistical inclusions.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The itinerary is a 5-day guided backpacking traverse.
Where do participants meet?
The meeting location is Yosemite National Park.
Are permits for Half Dome included?
Permits for the Half Dome cables section are secured by the operator and included.
What is the group size?
The trip is a small-group experience with a maximum of 8 guests.
How much distance and elevation does the route cover?
The route covers roughly 27–30 miles of trails with about 8,000 feet of total elevation gain and loss over the itinerary.
Where are backcountry camps located?
Nights are spent at Little Yosemite Valley and high-country backcountry camps along the traverse.