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Elevation: 3,991 ft
GPS: 37.72048, -119.62954
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 463,266 total · 2,199/month
Shared By: Salamanizer Ski on Nov 29, 2006
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

These beautiful twin spires lie to the east of Higher Cathedral Rock. They offer exciting climbing in a spectacular location. The views of El Cap and the Valley are awesome! Other surrounding rocks usually approached from the same starting point include 6. Middle Cathedral Rock, 5. Higher Cathedral Rock, 2. Church Tower and 1. Phantom Pinnacle.

Getting There Suggest change

Park at Cathedral Rocks pullout, a turnout just before the short loop intersects with Southside Drive. This page's GPS show the pullout on the map.

Hike a trail through the woods east (left) from the south side of the road from the pullout. This hits the big trail running parallel to Cathedral Rocks, go left here then after a short hike pass a left branch, and you'll come to a junction with the fainter of the two trails heading right.

Lower Cathedral Spire is approached by going left around the spires and Upper Cathedral Spire is approached by going right and up the "Spires Gully", which is the same approach for Braille Book and Upper Cathedral Rock.

132 Total Climbs

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Location: P. Cathedral Area Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Cathedral Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 281
Braille Book
Trad 6 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 1,051
Central Pillar of Frenzy
Trad 5 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 407
Regular Route (Higher Cathedral…
Trad 4 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13
 289
Northeast Buttress
Trad 11 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b R
 14
Freewheelin'
Trad 5 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 38
Book of Job
Trad 6 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b R
 60
Stoner's Highway
Trad 10 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b A0
 862
East Buttress
Trad, Aid 11 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 95
Mac Daddy
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 36
Bircheff-Williams
Trad 5 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 24
King for a Day
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 29
The Crucifix
Trad 5 pitches
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b R
 28
Border Country
Trad 12 pitches
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 10
Empire
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c PG13
 10
Father Time
Trad 20 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Braille Book 5. Higher Cathedral Rock
 281
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 6 pitches
Central Pillar of Frenzy 6. Middle Cathedral Rock
 1,051
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 5 pitches
Regular Route (Higher Cathe… 3. Higher Cathedral S…
 407
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 4 pitches
Northeast Buttress 5. Higher Cathedral Rock
 289
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13 Trad 11 pitches
Freewheelin' 6. Middle Cathedral Rock
 14
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b R Trad 5 pitches
Book of Job 5. Higher Cathedral Rock
 38
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 6 pitches
Stoner's Highway 6. Middle Cathedral Rock
 60
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b R Trad 10 pitches
East Buttress 6. Middle Cathedral Rock
 862
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b A0 Trad, Aid 11 pitches
Mac Daddy 7. Lower Cathed… > N Buttress Base Routes
 95
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Bircheff-Williams 6. Middle Cathedral Rock
 36
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad 5 pitches
King for a Day 7. Lower Cathed… > Mecca
 24
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
The Crucifix 5. Higher Cathedral Rock
 29
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Trad 5 pitches
Border Country 6. Middle Cathedral Rock
 28
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b R Trad 12 pitches
Empire 7. Lower Cathed… > Mecca
 10
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Father Time 6. Middle Cathedral Rock
 10
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c PG13 Trad 20 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Cathedral Area »

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