Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, CA

Tuolunme Meadows is one of the most beautiful parts of Yosemite National Park and located in the eastern section of the park. To get there you will need to follow the Tioga Road for about 55 miles from Yosemite Village. In Toulumne Meadows you will find unbelievably gorgeous nature and spend great time. For tourist comfort there are: Visitor Center, campgrounds, convenience store and free shuttle to get to the hiking trail heads, in other words - it has everything for getting unforgettable experience.  

This time we decided to go there as one of my friend's sister came from Ukraine and we wanted to show her something that she didn't know about California, that there is more to California than Hollywood, palm trees, ocean, etc...

I took this picture while waiting for the shuttle at the campground.  

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Just wanted to say a few words about our ride. This is my friend's 2012 VW Tiguan. I am a big fan of VW Group, i owned a few Audi and now own 2012 VW Passat. Tiguan was born for the road trips like this. It's pretty comfortable to drive, good gas mileage and there is pretty much enough space in it. In the car were 4 of us and in the trunk we could fit: midsize cooler, 2 big tеnts (4 people each), 4 sleeping bags, 2 queen size inflated mattresses, 3 bagpacks, lots of personal items and food. Not bad for a small crossover. 

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Before we went there i did my homework and found Cathedral Lakes would be  the most interesting place to see for our group. Cathedral Lakes trail is 7 miles round trip and considered as moderate. The beginning of the Cathedral Lakes trail is about a mile west of the Tuolumne Meadows Campground.      

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The trail goes steadily to Upper Cathedral Lake. Near the top of the climb, it passes a spur trail to Lower Cathedral Lake. To return back from this hike you have to follow the same route. This is one of the busiest and scenic trails in the Tuolumne Meadows area.

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Once you make it to the Cathedral  Lake you will get in to a fairytale and will see views that you have seen in travel magazine covers only.

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There is still snow on top of the mountains in June and it gives a unique touch in panoramic view. 

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All of these landscapes fascinated me.

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After we spent some time at the lake as sad as it was but we had to go back. I don't really like to hike back the same way. So when i was at the Toulumne Village i spoke with a local and he said that there is an alternative way to hike back. There is no official trail there and it's not even on the map.  All we had to do was go around the lake, find waterfall and follow the stream down the rocks. Then we had to wade through the wood, get to the highway and then catch the shuttle and get to the campground.  

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But it just sounds that easy. That was really a challenge to climb down these rocks. But that's what we came there for. I liked this part the most. 

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Due to high humidity, you often can see moss clinging to rocks.

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X-man left their sign :)

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Water arises after the snow melts. It floods the grass and makes creeks and mere.

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Cathedral Peak.

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We saw a huge tree on our way, i put my backpack next to it for scale. 

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In the end i wanted to point how good the park's management takes care of recycling and environment. I saw these trash cans everywhere at public places: stores, bus stations etc.  Good job!

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Now it's time for a few suggestions if you decide to go there:

1. As the campground is located  at elevation 8619 feet (2627 m), the temperature goes to 44F at night and you need to bring warm clothing, sleeping bag for 30-40F and inflated sleeping pad or mattress, this way you will sleep comfortably. 

2. Due to high humidity and moss around, there are lots of mosquitoes there, don't forget to bring untimosquito spray and take it with you on every hike you are going.  

3. Everything else is just the same as usual hiking or camping.

4. And don't forget to be careful when you hike as your safety is your own responsibility.  

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