Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park

Lembert Dome

Located North of Yosemite Valley along Tioga Road (Rte 120) lies the incomparably beautiful Tuolumne Meadows. Through the meadow runs the Tuolumne River which flows down to the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. On either side of the river are dozens of beautiful and soaring domes offering incredible face and crack climbing. The ethic which dictated the placing of bolts on lead (often hand drilling from marginal stances) has rendered nearly every climb run-out and as such, not suitable for most beginning leaders. There are a number of really enjoyable options for top-roping and also some shorter trad leads that offer good protection on moderately rated climbs, as well as great mountaineering adventures such as the Matthes Ridge Crest. There is also world class hiking including the ever-popular trek up to the top of prominent Lembert Dome.

Tuolumne Meadows is located at approximately 8,600’ of elevation and as such receives a tremendous amount of snow, leaving the road closed and the Meadows inaccessible for all but a few months of the year (unless you have a strong heart, healthy lungs, and a good pair of cross-country skis!) The pass is typically open from June through late September, although the opening and closing dates for Tioga Road vary dramatically depending on the amount of snow fall during the winter.

Camping: The Tuolumne Meadows Campground contains 304 sites that each include a fire ring, picnic table, and bear box. There is a bathroom with potable water, but there are no showers. The cost is $20/night for single campsites (up to 6 people maximum) or $40/night for group campsites (13-30 people). Half of the campground is based on the reservation system. To make reservations call 877.444.6777 or visit the national parks website. The other half of the campsite is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other amenities: Tuolumne Meadows Ledge also has 69 tent cabins much like those found in Curry Village in the Valley. One difference however is that each cabin has its own wood burning stove which can add to the fun of sleeping at elevation. There is a restaurant at the Lodge that serves a delicious assortment of pasta and proteins. It is always a pleasure to dine here as the restaurant – making use of their limited space – seats guests together with other visitors at the same table. This has led to many fascinating and unique conversations with visitors from all over the world. For reservations, visit the park’s website or call 877.444.6777.

Favorite Adventures:



Lembert Dome: Most reasonably fit visitors to Tuolumne Meadows aspire to hike to the top of Lembert Dome which sits high over the Meadows at 9,450 feet. If just arriving from the Bay Area, many visitors will feel the altitude immediately upon beginning this hike. It is necessary to drink a lot of water to offset the effects of the altitude caused dehydration. Additionally, take your time and possibly save this for the second day of your visit (if staying overnight in Tuolumne) to allow yourself time to acclimate. The hike is approximately 2.8 miles round trip and gains approximately 800 feet. Approach this hike by parking at the base of Lembert Dome in a large designated parking area. From here, follow signs and trails as the path wraps around the backside of Lembert bringing you up to the low angle shoulder. From here it is a short hike to the base of a summit block that requires a bit of scrambling and is somewhat unnecessary for those just seeking the excellent views from the crest out over the Meadows. That said, this is a climbing website, and we advise hikers to carefully make their way to the very top! As an alternative, try ascending the 3rd Class South Face (facing the parking lot). It requires a bit of tricky route-finding to navigate up the dome in the safest and easiest fashion, but it is done frequently and is an interesting and unique challenge!

Pothole Dome

Pothole Dome: Pothole Dome is located just off Hwy 120 with an obvious pullout on the left hand side of the road only a mile or two past Tenaya Lake. Park here and ascend the steep flanks using friction and a few hand holds to scramble to the top of the Dome. This provides a reasonably safe, but very fun and different adventure. The scramble from the car to the top takes but 20 minutes or so and therefore is something that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Tuolumne! On the back left side of the dome if facing it from the parking area are two bolted anchors (shiny new ¾’’ Metolius Bolts with rap rings) to set up top ropes on the steeper slab face on this side. Pay special attention to the remarkable geological record left on Pothole Dome. Here one can see many glacial erratics (free standing boulders on the top of a dome) left behind by the glaciers that covered these domes. Also left behind are the potholes from which the dome takes its name (obviously!) The potholes are formed by rocks that were ground into the rock in depressions caused by water and then torqued around by the pressure of the moving glacier.

Puppy Dome: Located just west of the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, Puppy Dome offers a few nice trad lines (most of which can be top roped via an easy walk-up) and some of the best bouldering in Tuolumne. Skirt around the base of the Dome to the West where you will see a great thin splitter crack (5.8ish) that goes for about 50 feet and can be top-roped from above off of trees or led on trad gear (a really good if not slightly stiff beginner’s trad lead.) Continue past this line to located the obvious boulder problems that sit adjacent to the river. Above and on the dome’s south face are a number of classic climbs including Do or Fly (5.11c). On Puppy Dome’s North Face is an excellent long and pumpy boulder traverse that goes at perhaps V1 and is an excellent climb.


Unnamed Splitter Crack

Tenaya Lake: Rest along the banks of Tenaya Lake in the Summer, take out a canoe or kayak on its crystal clear waters, go for a swim if you don’t mind the frigid temperatures, or if you’re lucky and visit at the end of the season while the pass is still open, go ice-skating!


Tenaya Lake with Ice - Jan 2012