We got a late start leaving Tuolumne Meadows for Sunrise, but with good reason. We needed to organize our belongings, fill up our water bottles, take the car to the right parking lot and catch the shuttle to the Cathedral Peak Trailhead. We chose this trail because although it was longer than the Sunrise Trail, it didn't have any switchbacks. The 7.8 mile trail climbs steadily up while affording great mountain views and eventually flattening out a bit. We stopped for lunch at Cathedral Lake, a half mile off trail before hiking to Sunrise Camp. While walking through a green meadow, the boulders start to appear, as well as Sunrise tents. After a short walk up some stone stairs, cool lemonade greeted us and our tent to lay our now heavy backpacks.

The views from Sunrise are incredible, and relaxing on large boulders watching the critters below scamper about in the meadow was amazing after the long hike. The dinner was excellent (it was chicken night) and with a ranger in camp, we had a sunset to watch and a campfire to enjoy. This was my favorite of the camps we visited, although most people would say otherwise. It was quaint, peaceful and beautiful.

 
views from sunrise high sierra camp

sunrise high sierra camp

our tent at sunrise