Leaning Tower Base Routes  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,548. Good page?    Administrators:  M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Osprey on Apr 13, 2011 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 63° | 30° 66° | 28° 64° | 32° 63° | 30° 61° | 34°

Fifi Buttress To Close! MORE INFO >>> The following areas are closed to all visitor use to protect peregrine falcon aeries from March 1 until August 1 of each year or until the young falcons of the current year have fledged: Fifi Buttress Immediately west of Leaning Tower. Closure includes all routes on Fifi Buttress. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Jo Whitford on The Thief. Photo by John Bachar.

Description 

The base of Leaning Tower hosts a few different areas that offer enjoyable cragging while avoiding the crowds found in some of the more popular areas of Yosemite National Park. From left to right, the base can be divided into four distinct sections: 1) The Yellow Corner. 2) The Watchtower. 3) The Amoeba. 4) The Cracker.

Getting There 

The easiest way to access is via the Bridalveil Falls parking area. This parking lot is a crowded mess in spring and summer, so you may have to park along Hwy 41, or at the parking lot downstream from Bridalveil Falls.
From the restrooms, follow the climbers path to the Leaning Tower. At a point that will be obvious to you, break off from the path and aim toward the section of the base you wish to start climbing at. The approach is quite simple with the exception of the difficulties associated with crossing talus.

The Classics

Featured Route For Leaning Tower Base Routes

The Thief 5.10d  CA : Yosemite National Park : ... : The Watchtower

This climb has an ugly beginning and end but a stellar middle. Pitch 1 A short approach pitch the guide book lists as 4th but is harder than that. Ugly and loose.Pitch 2 A hollow sounding flake to start, then sustained good rock. Next are a couple of offwidth pods with a crack in the back. Sustained. Get one rest right before the crux. An optional intermediate belay to an ugly finish with more loose flakes....[more]   Browse More Classics in CA