Stately Pleasure Dome

BETA PHOTO: Routes facing the lake

Description 

Okay, so it's on the highway and tons of tourists will gawk at you, but still, this is one of the most beautiful climbing settings anywhere. It rises about 500 feet right out of Lake Tenaya with beautiful views of the lake, Tenaya Peak, and many other Tuolumne features.

Getting There 

It's the great big dome on the north side of the highway next to Tenaya Lake. Easy parking all along the base.

To descend all routes: head up and left (west) until you can descend 3rd and 4th class slabs near a steep headwall. At one point you can rap a tree over the steepest section, though probably 50% of climbers just walk this part too. See photo.

The Classics

Featured Route For Stately Pleasure Dome

Great White Book 5.6 R  CA : Yosemite National Park : ... : Stately Pleasure Dome

A long, awkward, wide crack can surprise many 5.6 leaders. Pro is sparse and hard to place, especially if you don't have some huge pieces (5-6 inches), resulting in long runouts. But it's a beautiful long line straight up almost to the top of the dome.P1 and P2 are pretty straightforward 5.6 and easier climbing. P3 and P4 are the mental crux - try not to get sucked in too deep, keep your feet on the main wall and your back on the right wall. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Stately Pleasure Dome Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: Descent down Stately Pleasure Dome	Midway up the dome, down to Tenaya Lake	Kurt Smith on an attempt at "Top Gun", 1985. Photo...
BETA PHOTO: Stately Pleasure Dome, east side ©	Stately Pleasure Dome, Tenaya Lake. Photo by Blitz...	Moving up the finger crack
Amazing views to be had from atop Stately Pleasure...	Jonny on the friction slab descent of the SPD. 6/...	Bath under the S. P. Dome