Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 10,198 ft
GPS: 36.78245, -118.48013
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 85,038 total · 387/month
Shared By: Chris Owen on Mar 7, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Chris Owen, Lurk Er, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

Beautiful dome in the Sierra backcountry. Home to, as RJ Secor called it, "one of the world's finest rock climbs."

Getting There Suggest change

Two ways:

1) From Cedar Grove, east up Bubb's Creek trail then cut left (north) on faint-use trail up Charlotte Creek, 7.5 miles 4,500 ft elevation gain.

2) From Onion Valley, over Kearsarge Pass, down to Charlotte Lake, then down to Charlotte Dome: 8.5 mi to Charlotte Lake (2600ft gain in first 5mi to KP, 1400 loss next 3mi to CL), 3.5 mi from CL to the base of SF, CD. 13mi total, from OV parking lot to base of route.

8.5mi and 2100ft gain from walkoff of SF to top of KP, then 4mi downhill (2500ft descent). 12.5mi total to parking lot at Onion Valley   9.5 miles 3,500 ft elevation gain (on the way out! c2500 ft on the hike in).

You decide which way you want to go. Living in LA I favor the western approach (1); it's all downhill on the way out.

Campsites here are wonderful, in deep forest, and hopefully no one else around. Watch out for bears! Take precautions. Bear cannisters are mandatory on both approaches.

5 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Charlotte Dome Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Charlotte Dome

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 258
South Face
Trad, Alpine 12 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 5
Against the Grain
Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
South Face
 258
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Alpine 12 pitches
Against the Grain
 5
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Charlotte Dome »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading