Elevation: 4,984 ft
GPS: 37.7147, -119.63078
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Shared By: Blitzo on Nov 29, 2006
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Access Issue: Latest updates on Covid and falcon closures. Details

Description

As viewed from the north (or valley side), this spire is on the left.

It was first ascended in August 1934, by Richard Leonard, Jules Eichorn and Bestor Robinson, by the Regular Route.

Descend by rappel.

Getting There

The P. Cathedral Area page has the parking and initial hiking information.

Lower Cathedral Spire is approached by going left around the spires.

The Cathedral Spires trail starts at the west tip of the traffic island at the intersection. As soon as you cross the main trail, go LEFT (east) about 15 feet and take the Spires Trail up. After about 200-300 feet GO LEFT (east) towards the Cathedral Boulders, which appear shortly. Walk through nearly all of the boulders trending east till you find a trail with a large cairn. Follow it south as you slowly trend EAST of Lower Cathedral Spire. There are some large fallen trees that you will need to re-find the trail through, but nothing dramatic as there are lots of cairns on this trail. Go all the way up the talus field (east of the spire) and then veer right (west) towards the notch between the two spires.

On the descent (or if you were thinking about a spire linkup), forget about climbing to the notch, as the west side is a >300' vertical drop!

6 Total Climbs

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Location: 4. Lower Cathedral Spire Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Lower Cathedral Spire

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 6
Northeast Face
Trad 6 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 32
Regular Route
Trad 5 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 111
South by Southwest
Trad 5 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13
 3
Long Live The Chief (free var. H…
Trad 10 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Northeast Face
 6
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 6 pitches
Regular Route
 32
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 5 pitches
South by Southwest
 111
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 5 pitches
Long Live The Chief (free v…
 3
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13 Trad 10 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Lower Cathedral Spire »

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