All Locations > California > Yosemite NP > Tuolumne Meadows > Cathedral Range

Cathedral Peak Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Cathedral Peak

Cathedral Wall 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2

North Buttress 12 / 1 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 15 / 15

Panic Pillar 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1

Southeast Slopes 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2

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Elevation:	10,587 ft	3,227 m
GPS:	37.84782, -119.40554 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	352,951 total · 1,489/month
Shared By:	Nick Wilder on Jun 22, 2006 · Updates
Admins:	Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. Details

Please visit nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the latest information on visiting Yosemite, including permits, regulations, and closure information.

Yosemite National Park has yearly closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection March 1- July 15. Always check the NPS website at nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the most current details and park alerts, and to learn more about the peregrine falcon, and how closures help it survive. This page also shares closures and warnings due to current fires, smoke, etc.

Description

One of the most stunning peaks in Yosemite, Cathedral is blessed with some great moderate climbing. The approach takes about an hour and is long enough from the road and hiking trails to give you a little peace (often to be shared with many climbers - start early).

The summit is a small block big enough for a couple people to squeeze on. There might be bolts on the top, but usually not. Downclimbing off the summit block can be scary, but John Muir did it in 1869, so you can too.

It's a great big lightning rod - get off ASAP if thunder comes your way. Other than descending, escaping up and right is usually possible until you get to talus.

Getting There

From the Cathedral Lakes trailhead, take the main trail for 10 minutes. Soon after a set of stone steps, look for a major climbers trail branching left (see photo). Do not get suckered into an earlier, smaller path that follows the stream. Keep on the trail until it fades away near the base Cathedral Peak. Pick the easiest path to the lowest point of the southeast buttress.

As of Sept 16, 2025 there is a single well maintained path to the start of the regular route. Trail no longer “fades away”!!

20 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Cathedral Peak

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c PG13 71 ● John Muir Route (The Mountaineer… Trad, Alpine Southeast Slopes
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a 11 ● Garden Party Trad, Alpine N Buttress
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b 2,058 ● Southeast Buttress Trad, Alpine 5 pitches Southeast Slopes
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13 7 ● Family Flake Trad, Alpine 2 pitches N Buttress
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13 10 ● Hops'n'Barley Trad, Alpine 2 pitches N Buttress
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b 6 ● Party of Two Trad, Alpine N Buttress
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 8 ● Double Down Trad, Alpine 2 pitches N Buttress
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 7 ● Metal Pecker Trad, Alpine 2 pitches N Buttress
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 8 ● Beer Gut Trad, Alpine 3 pitches N Buttress
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 5 ● STD Trad, Alpine N Buttress
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 7 ● Slab Time Trad, Alpine N Buttress
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R 10 ● Panic Pillar Trad, Alpine Panic Pillar
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 6 ● After Party Sport, Alpine 2 pitches N Buttress
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13 50 ● Grand Central Trad, Alpine 6 pitches N Buttress
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b 9 ● The Original Route Trad, Alpine 5 pitches Cathedral Wall