PRINT: Rock Climbing in Cathedral Wall, Yosemite National Park

Cathedral Wall

California > Yosemite NP > Tuolumne Meadows > Cathedral Range > Cathedral Peak

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Yosemite National Park has yearly closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection March 1- July 15. Always check the NPS website at nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the most current details and park alerts, and to learn more about the peregrine falcon, and how closures help it survive. This page also shares closures and warnings due to current fires, smoke, etc.

Description

A triangular shaped alpine wall visible from many prominences in Tuolumne. Technically the northwest bowl of Cathedral Peak, this 1000' face is only about an hour from the road. Lots of potential for new routes here and in the boulder fields below. Climbers have no doubt poked around here over the years, but there is no record in guidebooks yet. A peak of this grandeur deserves some more attention.

Getting There

Head up the JMT towards Cathedral Lakes. There are 2 sets of switchbacks on the JMT before you should start heading cross country. You can see the tip of the wall after the first time the trail flattens out, but keep going until the trail crosses the creek and heads up another set of switchbacks. Now when you can see the wall, head cross country directly toward it. The off-trail travel is easy walking and does not involve any dense trees or brush.

Routes from Left to Right

5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 7 ● The Original Route Trad, Alpine 5 pitches
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 1 ● The Direct Line Trad, Alpine 5 pitches

● The Original Route

5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad, Alpine 5 pitches

● The Direct Line

5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, Alpine 5 pitches

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Cathedral Wall in Tuolumne

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Christine Spang
Oakland, CA

Just a quick note - there are 2 sets of switchbacks on the JMT before you should start heading cross country. You can see the tip of the wall after the first time the trail flattens out, but keep going until the trail crosses the creek and heads up another set of switchbacks. Now when you can see the wall, head cross country directly toward it. The off-trail travel is easy walking and does not involve any dense trees or brush. Jul 19, 2020