5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 29 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome worth booking?
5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome is a 120-hour experience in Yosemite National Park, United States, from $2800 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 29 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (29)
- Duration
- 120 hours
- From
- $2800 per person
Kick off your Yosemite backpacking experience with one of the most iconic sections of the John Muir Trail, weaving between majestic alpine lakes to the summits of Clouds Rest and Half Dome! Camp the first night at Cathed
What you get
About this experience
Kick off your Yosemite backpacking experience with one of the most iconic sections of the John Muir Trail, weaving between majestic alpine lakes to the summits of Clouds Rest and Half Dome! Camp the first night at Cathedral Lakes amid the spirit of the true high country, then hike the JMT up and over Cathedral Pass with stunning views of alpine peaks along the way. Set up camp in the Sunrise Lakes area for Night 3, and from there, tackle the Clouds Rest summit (9,926’) for one of the most spectacular views of Yosemite Valley in the park! Your adventure culminates with the summit of Half Dome (8,836’) before returning to Yosemite Valley on the Mist Trail passing two spectacular waterfalls. This trip’s strenuous itinerary is well worth it! If you’re looking for an authentic Yosemite experience, this is the adventure for you! As the calendar is confusing: 2026 Dates are: 7/28-8/1 8/10-8/14 8/25-8/29 8/28-9/1 8/31-9/4 9/14-9/18 9/23-9/27
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
Not included
- Guide Gratuities
- Yosemite National Park Gate Fee (Must Be Paid On Entry By Visitor)
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Yosemite National Park
Curry Village Main Parking Lot near Shuttle Stop #14
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Curry Village Main Parking Lot near Shuttle Stop #14
Before you book
- Cancellation
- If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lasting Adventures
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- 2026 Dates: 7/28-8/1, 8/10-8/14, 8/25-8/29, 8/28-9/1, 8/31-9/4, 9/14-9/18, 9/23-9/27
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 29 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
5 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
29 verified traveler reviews for 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Perfect experience!
We just returned from Lasting Adventures amazing multi-day backpacking trip from Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest. Maggie, our guide, was calm, kind, and incredibly competent—exactly the kind of person you want to follow into the backcountry. Maggie had this quiet way of encouraging us without ever making us feel pressured. And even though we were probably half the speed of most hikers on the trail, Maggie never made us feel anything but strong and capable. Maggie provided everything we needed, from biodegradable glitter to delicious meals (seriously, the food was outstanding!). Along the way, she patiently taught us how to pack our packs more efficiently and set up our tent like pros. Honestly, Maggie is such an extraordinary human being that we have joked about writing a thank-you note to her parents for raising someone so thoughtful, grounded, and skilled. If you’re considering a trip with Lasting Adventures, go! We were taken care of from start to finish.
Response from the operator: Meghan- Thanks for this very kind and glowing review of your experience with Maggie and on our 5-day backpacking trip. I am thrilled to hear how amazing it was for you, and we have already shared your kind words with Maggie. Thanks again. Scott
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Experience!
Such an amazing trip, totally worth the price. Guide was very knowledgeable and knew where all the good spots to camp were. Would totally recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review and kind words! We pride ourselves on the quality of the people we employ and love hearing when they have met and exceeded expectations. We would love to have you back again in the future. We also offer trips in Olympic, Sequoia/Kings, and Joshua Tree National Parks.
via Tripadvisor
Great trip with Lasting Adventures
Jack Curran & Eli Flaim were terrific guides who really made our 4 day backcountry hike an unforgettable experience! Their guiding expertise, explanations of the flora and fauna and understanding of the geology really added to our experience. The food they prepared in camp was amazing, including fresh donuts! Our next trip to Yosemite will definitely include Lasting Adventures!
via Tripadvisor
What a Hike to remember. Thank you Maddie and John!!
This was a hike to always remember. Maddie and John were the best guides. Our group was the perfect amount of people. This is the best way to connect with new people. Their knowledge of the park was impressive along with the great meals we had along our adventure. I have already made some things at home that we had on the trail. Real food!! They have a secret snack that you would have to join the hike to enjoy! It was Very Good. This hike was the perfect level of difficulty and through the most beautiful areas you could imagine. Clouds rest was Aw inspiring and Half Dome was very gratifying to summit. The pictures are amazing. I would recommend Lasting Adventures to anyone looking for an off grid hike in an amazing park!
via Tripadvisor
Best Hike Ever.
I had a fantastic experience on the 5 day Cathedral lakes to clouds rest and half dome trip. Alongside the kit list, lasting adventures emailed us about a change in the weather so I felt well prepared on what to pack. Our guide, Caber, was brilliant. He was knowledgeable about the area, good company, paced us well, made amazing food, and gave me the moral support I needed to get up Half Dome. Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places I have every been and I would highly recommend this hike with Lasting Adventures.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 120 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Yosemite National Park.
How much does 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome cost?
+
Prices start at $2800 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Yosemite National Park usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome take?
+
Plan for about 120 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Yosemite National Park is not rushed.
Is 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 29 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Yosemite National Park, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome?
+
No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 120-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome?
+
Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Yosemite National Park can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Yosemite National Park and add a light layer if any part of the 120-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Yosemite National Park within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Yosemite National Park?
+
Yosemite tours cover Valley loops to El Capitan and Half Dome viewpoints, Glacier Point sunsets, Mariposa Grove sequoias and waterfall hikes in spring melt. Day trips from San Francisco run long, so we weight transparency on drive time. On Outty we rank every Yosemite National Park experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour, Yosemite Valley Private Hiking Tour, Yosemite Winter Highlights Small Group Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park?
+
May to June for waterfalls, September to October for quiet trails. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Yosemite National Park?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for 5-Day Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome.
Pick your date
