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: 8,593 ft
GPS: 37.87401, -119.35782
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 2,973,212 total · 13,736/month
Shared By: Josh Janes on Jun 15, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. DetailsDrop down

Climbing Closures Suggest change

Description Suggest change

Tuolumne Meadows is the high country climbing area of Yosemite National Park. The region is highlighted by many beautiful granite domes which offer the ultimate in knob and slab climbing. There are also classic non-dome formations like Cathedral Peak (first ascent by John Muir in the 1800's) and the Matthes Crest which are very popular with climbers. Tuolumne Meadows is a beautiful, serene place without many of the tourist popularity issues plaguing Yosemite Valley these days. The usual Tuolumne "season" for climbing runs from May through mid-Fall or so.

Some adjacent areas often grouped together with Tuolumne in guidebooks are included in the High Sierra and Lee Vining Canyon / Tioga Road areas on Mountain Project.

The main campground in the middle of the meadows is Tuolumne Meadows Campground, operated by the National Park. It's generally open from July through September. Like all campgrounds in the park and along most of Lee Vining Canyon, there's a fee to stay there. The nearest free camping is all the way across Tioga Pass, on BLM land near the town of Lee Vining where 120 crosses 395, and east of there around Mono Lake.

When Tuolumne campground is open for the summer, it also has a few climber friendly services selling grub, general outdoor goods and climbing gear at somewhat higher prices than in the big city. Gas is currently unavailable in TM.

Getting There

Suggest change
Tuolumne Meadows is accessed via highway 120, either from the west or via Tioga Pass from the east. The Tioga Pass road is generally closed (snowfall) from fall through mid to late May or so (sometimes later, depending on the snow).

​Tioga Pass Status forum.​​​

The park service offers a free shuttle bus during the high season, usually from June to September. Check their website for current information.

Tuolumne Meadows Climber's Map

949 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Tuolumne Meadows Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Tuolumne Meadows

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c
 239
North Ridge
Trad, Alpine
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 594
Northwest Buttress
Trad, Alpine 14 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 1,831
Southeast Buttress
Trad, Alpine 5 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 352
West Ridge
Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 259
Hobbit Book
Trad 4 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 714
Matthes Crest Traverse - South t…
Trad, Alpine
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 186
Tenaya, Matthes, Cathedral Traverse
Trad, Alpine
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
 475
South Crack
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 901
Regular Route
Trad 12 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 799
West Crack
Trad 5 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 350
On the Lamb
Trad 4 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 291
Crescent Arch
Trad 5 pitches
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 287
Direct Northwest Face
Trad 3 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 322
Lucky Streaks
Trad 6 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 458
Oz
Trad 5 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
North Ridge Glen Aulin Area > Mt Conness
 239
Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c Trad, Alpine
Northwest Buttress Cathedral Range > Tenaya Peak
 594
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad, Alpine 14 pitches
Southeast Buttress Cathedral Range > Cathedral Peak > Southeast Slopes
 1,831
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, Alpine 5 pitches
West Ridge Glen Aulin Area > Mt Conness
 352
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, Alpine 10 pitches
Hobbit Book Mariuolumne Dome > W Face
 259
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
Matthes Crest Traverse - So… Cathedral Range > Matthes Crest
 714
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, Alpine
Tenaya, Matthes, Cathedral… Cathedral Range > Cathedral Range Encha…
 186
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, Alpine
South Crack Stately Pleasure Dome
 475
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
Regular Route Fairview Dome > N Face
 901
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 12 pitches
West Crack DAFF Area > DAFF Dome > W Face
 799
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 5 pitches
On the Lamb Lamb Dome > W Face of the Lamb
 350
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 4 pitches
Crescent Arch DAFF Area > DAFF Dome > W Face
 291
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 5 pitches
Direct Northwest Face Lembert Dome > Northwest Face
 287
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 3 pitches
Lucky Streaks Fairview Dome > W Face
 322
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad 6 pitches
Oz Drug Dome
 458
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 5 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Tuolumne Meadows »

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