A quieter alternative to Cathedral Lakes with a bigger granite bowl, less permit competition, and a summit scramble if you want it.
A quieter alternative to Cathedral Lakes with bigger scenery. Young Lakes sit beneath Mt Conness and Ragged Peak in a granite bowl that feels more remote than its modest distance from Tioga Road suggests. The approach through wildflower meadows with Cathedral Range views is gorgeous, and the lakes themselves reward exploration, especially Upper Young Lake if you're comfortable with some scrambling.
Start: Lembert Dome / Dog Lake TH (Tioga Road)
End: Lembert Dome TH (or Soda Springs for loop)
Water: Dog Lake, Dingley Creek (seasonal), Young Lakes
From the Dog Lake trailhead, you climb steeply right from the start, gaining about 500ft in the first half mile before the trail levels off. Dog Lake arrives at mile 1.75 and is worth the short stop: views of Mt. Dana and Mt. Gibbs, shade, and a good excuse to snack before the long middle stretch. The trail climbs gradually through forest toward Dingley Creek, your first reliable water on trail. Above treeline, the full Cathedral Range opens to the south: Cathedral Peak, Unicorn, Echo Peaks, and the distant summits of Mt. Lyell and Mt. Maclure. After a final push above 10,000ft, the trail descends through quiet forested meadows and delivers you to Lower Young Lake at mile 7. Camp on the north shore for evening alpenglow on Ragged Peak, White Mountain, and Mt. Conness. Once your tent is pitched, drop your packs and work up to Middle and Upper Lake before dark.
Water: Young Lakes, Dingley Creek (seasonal), PCT stream crossings
Before breaking camp, make the easy 1mi round trip to Upper Young Lake (+300ft). It sits in a rocky cirque above the lower lake and the views of the Conness massif are the best of the basin. Back at camp, pack up and head out on the return leg of the loop, exiting from the opposite side of where you came in. The trail descends through open terrain and forest, passes Soda Springs, and joins the PCT/JMT for the final stretch back through Tuolumne Meadows to the Lembert Dome trailhead. Note: you can run this loop in reverse (clockwise, Glen Aulin side first) if you prefer a more gradual, rolling ascent on Day 1 rather than the steeper Dog Lake climb.
Upper Young Lake scramble (short but steep class 2-3 near waterfall); Roosevelt Lake day hike (north of Young Lakes, cross-country); Mt Conness (12,589ft, class 2 from Young Lakes area, experienced); Lembert Dome scramble on return (360-degree panorama of Tuolumne Meadows)
Tioga Road closes ~Oct 15 and reopens late May-Jul. Loop option via PCT/Soda Springs adds ~3mi but offers different views on return. Dog Lake is a nice warm-up stop. Backpacker campground at Tuolumne Meadows ($8/night, night before and after trip). Tuolumne Meadows Store/Grill for pre/post-trip meals. Water sources may dry up late season on main trail - carry extra. Bear canister required. Bugs can be bad in meadow sections Jul-Aug.
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