Climb or hike to the top of a granite massif and look out across sweeping meadows and glacier-fed rivers from the rocky outcrop’s rounded peak.
Lembert Dome is a weathered granite peak that pitches steeply into the sky and is surrounded by tracts of beautiful meadows. The rounded peak soars to a height of 850 feet (260 meters) above the Tuolomne River and the wooded lowlands. Walk to the top of the smooth-faced summit or use climbing gear to make a thrilling ascent up the dome’s sheer face. Hiking trails and free-climbing routes traverse this intriguing formation.
The dome was named after Jean Baptiste Lembert, who lived in the surrounding Tuolumne Meadows in the late 1800s. Known as Soda Springs Dome by conservationist John Muir, the dome has captivated visitors for centuries. Follow the moderate hiking route up the gently inclining eastern slope of Lembert Dome. Try dozens of technical climbing routes from 5.6 to 5.11 up the dome’s alpine areas, cracks and ledges on the sheer west and northwest faces.
As you ascend, note the magnificent granite shaped by glacier movement and the dome’s intriguing bare-rock formation. Look back over the bald face of the dome and see a panorama of the tree-lined Tuolumne Meadows opening up before you. At the peak, you’ll be able to see the vast stretches of meadowland to the west and the forest-fringed Tuolomne River. Take a moment to relax atop the craggy dome and look out over the surrounding skyline ranges. Spot Unicorn Peak, Cathedral Peak and Dog Lake in the distance. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the splendor of the view, especially in the reddened light of the sunset.
Lembert Dome stands in the heart of Yosemite National Park. Learn about the walking trails and climbing routes at the Tuolomne Meadows Visitor Center, a short distance west of Lembert Dome. The main walking trail, a 2.8-mile (4.5-kilometer) round trip, will take between 1.5 and 3 hours to complete. Visit the dome between June and October, as road access is limited in the colder months. In early summer experience the rich greenery of the meadows. The trailhead has a parking lot and outhouse restroom.
