Elevation: 8,593 ft
GPS: 37.87401, -119.35782
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Josh Janes on Jun 15, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. Details

Climbing Closures

Description

Tuolumne Meadows is the high country climbing area of Yosemite National Park. The region is highlighted by many beautiful granite domes which offer the ultimate in knob and slab climbing. There are also classic non-dome formations like Cathedral Peak (first ascent by John Muir in the 1800's) and the Matthes Crest which are very popular with climbers. Tuolumne Meadows is a beautiful, serene place without many of the tourist popularity issues plaguing Yosemite Valley these days. The usual Tuolumne "season" for climbing runs from May through mid-Fall or so.

Some adjacent areas often grouped together with Tuolumne in guidebooks are included in the High Sierra and Lee Vining Canyon / Tioga Road areas on Mountain Project.

The main campground in the middle of the meadows is Tuolumne Meadows Campground, operated by the National Park. It's generally open from July through September. Like all campgrounds in the park and along most of Lee Vining Canyon, there's a fee to stay there. The nearest free camping is all the way across Tioga Pass, on BLM land near the town of Lee Vining where 120 crosses 395, and east of there around Mono Lake.

When Tuolumne campground is open for the summer, it also has a few climber friendly services selling grub, general outdoor goods and climbing gear at somewhat higher prices than in the big city. Gas is currently unavailable in TM.

Getting There

Tuolumne Meadows is accessed via highway 120, either from the west or via Tioga Pass from the east. The Tioga Pass road is generally closed (snowfall) from fall through mid to late May or so (sometimes later, depending on the snow).

​Tioga Pass Status forum.​​​

The park service offers a free shuttle bus during the high season, usually from June to September. Check their website for current information.

Tuolumne Meadows Climber's Map

931 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Tuolumne Meadows

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 589
Northwest Buttress
Trad, Alpine 14 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 1,800
Southeast Buttress
Trad, Alpine 5 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 420
Northwest Books
Trad 2 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 351
West Ridge
Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 391
West Country
Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 256
Hobbit Book
Trad 4 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 697
Matthes Crest Traverse - South t…
Trad, Alpine
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
 472
South Crack
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 894
Regular Route
Trad 12 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 792
West Crack
Trad 5 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 347
On the Lamb
Trad 4 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 290
Crescent Arch
Trad 5 pitches
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 286
Direct Northwest Face
Trad 3 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 320
Lucky Streaks
Trad 6 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 451
Oz
Trad 5 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Northwest Buttress Cathedral Range > Tenaya Peak
 589
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad, Alpine 14 pitches
Southeast Buttress Cathedral Range > Cathedral Peak > Southeast Slopes
 1,800
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, Alpine 5 pitches
Northwest Books Lembert Dome > Northwest Face
 420
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 2 pitches
West Ridge Glen Aulin Area > Mt Conness
 351
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
West Country Stately Pleasure Dome
 391
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, Alpine 4 pitches
Hobbit Book Mariuolumne Dome > W Face
 256
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
Matthes Crest Traverse - So… Cathedral Range > Matthes Crest
 697
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, Alpine
South Crack Stately Pleasure Dome
 472
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
Regular Route Fairview Dome > N Face
 894
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 12 pitches
West Crack Daff Area > Daff Dome > W Face
 792
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 5 pitches
On the Lamb Lamb Dome > W Face of the Lamb
 347
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 4 pitches
Crescent Arch Daff Area > Daff Dome > W Face
 290
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 5 pitches
Direct Northwest Face Lembert Dome > Northwest Face
 286
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 3 pitches
Lucky Streaks Fairview Dome > W Face
 320
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 6 pitches
Oz Drug Dome
 451
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 5 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Tuolumne Meadows »

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