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Ax. Pulpit Rock

California > Yosemite NP > Yosemite Valley > Lower Merced River Ca…
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Description

This is the interesting looking spire, seen across the river near the Hwy 140/120 junction.

Getting There

Park at the lot at the 140/120 junction, and cross the river. This can only be done during times of very low water.

For the best crossing, park on the river side of the road just down the river past Pulpit rock.

Walk up stream little, and cross the river little west from formation. On most fall days there, you can just step from boulder to boulder. Walk by river east until you cross old wash going up on east side of of Pulpit rock. This is easiest way.

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[Hide Comment] After crossing the Merced, head up hill trending toward the east side of the pinnacle (keeping an eye on the poison oak). This will take you directly to the Tree Route and the Pulpit Pooper. This is also the side you will walk down after rappelling off the south side of the pinnacle. If you want to climb the Sermon or Gorilla Cookies there is a trail from here that wraps around the north to the west side. Jan 27, 2010
Alexey Zelditch
San Jose
[Hide Comment] For best crossing - park on the river side of the road just down the river of Pulpit rock.
Walk up stream little, and cross the river little west from formation. This october there you just step from bolder To bolder. Walk by river east until you cross old wash going up on east side of of Pulpit rock. This is easiest way compare I did several years ago. Oct 29, 2012
Eben Freeman
Sierra eastside
[Hide Comment] Here is the best current approach option we could discern. Cross the river at a snag of huge logs, 150 yards downstream of the 120/140 junction. Duck under a big fallen tree trunk and march directly up the hill toward the formation (no trail). Watch out for wasps and poison oak. A cool crag that would benefit from a bit of traffic and a slightly more defined approach. Oct 3, 2022
[Hide Comment] Best approach, however you get across the river, is to come from the west, following cairns and linking patches of talus. Very little poison oak this way. Jul 31, 2023