Tuolumne Meadows
This is great place to escape the craziness of Yosemite valley. It is a totally different world here cool and less crowded, it has the highest concentration of granidic domes in the world! Tuolumne Meadows is an alpine rock climbing paradise. Giant golden domes, pine trees, and lakes—Tuolumne Meadows offers some of the finest scenery of any climbing area on the planet. The climbing here is mostly trad. With some awesome crack climbing and lots of run out slabs. Be wary in the summer of hot days and lightening storms. Come well equipped!
Climbing Gear
Tuolumne granite often has awkward knobby cracks, a good selection of cams is essential. When nuts are used, they are mostly in the medium size. For many of the longer routes, a LARGE number of slings are needed—it is common for pitches to wander. You will want a pair of comfortable climbing shoes for the longer routes and a tighter fitting slipper or velcro shoe for the sport climbing. A helmet is a must for both potential loose rock and dropped gear from climbers above.
Here are a list of classic easy climbs that are worth doing:
Eichorn's Pinnacle, Tenaya Peak, Cathedral Peak, Northwest Books, Great White Book, Mt. Conness, West Ridge, Matthes Ridge, Golfers Route and West Country
For more information on these climbs check out supertopo
http://www.supertopo.com/climbingareas/tuolumne.html
Camping:
There is one campground in Tuolumne Meadows located next to the Tuolumne Store that has about 300 sites. Half of the sites can be reserved in advance (call 877-444-6777 at least 2-3 months in advance) and half of the sites are on a first come, first serve basis (arrive in the morning to ensure you get a site). You can have 2 cars and up to 6 people at a site. Be aware that mosquito's at the Tuolumne campground can be particularly fierce in June and July. RV’s up to 35 ft/Dump station nearby. Pets are permitted except in the group and horse sites.
Food
A limited selection of groceries are available at the Tuolumne Meadows store. In addition, you can purchase groceries in Lee Vining at the Mono Market. The closest big supermarket is an hour from Tuolumne Meadows at the Mammoth Lakes Vons.
The only prepared food in Tuolumne is at Tuolumne Meadows Grill which serves hamburgers, fries, etc. Eight miles east of Tuolumne Meadows, the Tioga Pass Resort offers a cozy dinning room with a great breakfast, lunch and dinner and any last minute baked snacks you need before your climb. The The Tioga Gas Mart, located 14 miles west of Tuolumne Meadows, features the Whoa Nellie Deli which serves some of the best food in the area. This isn't just any gas station as you will find a great selection of sandwiches, pizza's, ahi tuna salad, mango margaritas, fish tacos and a variety of other savory treats for breakfast, lunch and dinner It is also the local social hub and provides great live music throughout the summer. A great spot in Lee Vining for coffee is Latte Da where you will also find FREE wireless internet.
Other things to do
*Hot Springs! – Near Mammoth, Bridgeport and Bishop. Ask a local or read a book then take a look and take a dip.
*Hiking in Tuolumne Meadows– Mt Dana, Cathedral Lake Trail, Glen Aulin Trail, May Lake Trail.
*Fishing – Lee Vining Canyon and all around Tuolumne Meadows and CA395 from Reno to Bishop (about 20 minutes to 2 hours from Tuolumne Meadows)
*Sightseeing – The Tufa Formations at Mono Lake (25 minutes east of Tuolumne Meadows)
Big thanks to Chris McNamara and Super Topo for this information
For guide books and topos for the area please check out
http://www.supertopo.com/climbingareas/tuolumne.html
Info
Directions
Enter Yosemite valley via highway 120, then take Tioga Pass (also highway 120).
171 have climbed @ Tuolumne
See all people who climb @ Tuolumne Meadows
Climbing activity
=> Subscribe to activity @ Tuolumne
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Peter 17 days ago
Looking for climbers @
Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Tahoe, Tahquitz, Alabama Hills, The Leap
ReplyLots of time to climb this summer. Sierra? Whitney Portal? Yosemite? Beyond? Let me know.
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Randy Paddy 164 days ago
Looking for climbers @Yosemite, G-Rocks, Tahoe, Castle Rock State Park, Tuolumne
ReplyNew to the bay area. Relocated from SA. Looking for partners who want to climb outside over weekends. Anywhere in Northern California. I prefer top rope climbing (do not have rope or any lead climb gear yet), have all the other essentials.
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Sarah Kate Selling 175 days ago
Looking for climbers @Yosemite, Castle Rock State Park, The Leap, Pinnacles, Sierras, Tuolumne
ReplyI just moved to Palo Alto and I'm looking for experienced partners who want to climb outside, particularly in places like Yosemite, the Needles, and the Tahoe area. I like all types of climbing, but long trad routes are my favorite.
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Michael McLaughlin 177 days ago
climbing Wed 16 Sep @Tuolumne Meadows
Comment/Reply - Msg Michael McLaughlinI'm free to climb from Sept 16 (Today!) to Sat the 19th. My partner has the flu and had to bail (damn pigs). Looking for a partner for the valley/tahoe/meadows these days. I have rope/rack/ride. Coming from Menlo Park. I lead up to 5.9 trad.
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luke grecki 180 days ago
Looking for climbers @Yosemite, Bishop, Tahoe, Holcomb, Castle Rock State Park, The Leap
Replyim a grad student living in davis looking for a climbing partner psyched on climbing routes on the weekends. i can climb .11 sport, am working on climbing .12, and have followed .10 trad. i cant lead trad but would love to learn.
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Cathedral Peak anyone.? 5 pitches of 5.6 and below. Ive got gear/ropes.
- Talitha - when and would you be cool taking someone that hasn't done multi-pitch before?
- Talitha - Bummer... I'll have to pass. I work during the week and can't make those dates. Have a great time though! ~ Talitha
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Looking for partner 9/11-9/13 Fri-Sun (can leave as early as today, but need to be back Sun night) for Tuol. / Sierra climbs -- Cathedral, Conness, cragging -- open. I have most gear & car, pref. to carpool (coming from Cupertino). alexkchavez@gmail.com
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Looking to go to Yosemite this weekend; bouldering and/or cragging. Even if you don't want to climb with me but want to get some extra money for gas, I'd dig a ride. :)
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Hi,
I'm keen to get out on some Granite this weekend having arrived in San Francisco from London 2 days ago. Be good to climb with some locals who know the place. Happy with Sport / Easyish Trad.
Cheers
Jules
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Hi I'm Vincent , I'm 28 , i've been climbing about 8 years. I'd like to find a climbing partner for Saturday. Maybe Sugarloaf or Phantom Spires , or the Grotto . We can carpool , I live in Menlo Park. I'm safe , reliable , and happy . Thanks -Vl
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Chris Spurrell 193 days ago
climbing Mon 24 Aug @Tuolumne Meadows
Comment/Reply - Msg Chris Spurrell3 days in Tuolumne: Bliss - but badly, badly out of shape. Sore arms and hurting hands... need to really hit the gym :)
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My partner bailed again! Want to Leave saturday bright and early, return sunday evening. Want to climb excellant smithers Sat and Reg. route fairview sunday. Please lead 5.8. ME: 25 Male from SF/Bayarea
- bernard - i'm interested and available contact at pieceoflight@hotmail.com - bernard
- bernard - i tried to leave you a more extensive reply via the message bud link adjacent to your last post......but this bassackwards site kicked it back due to Invalid Length.
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Daniel Sullivan 202 days ago
Looking for climbers @Yosemite, Joshua Tree, NJC, Holcomb, Tahquitz, Sierras
ReplyI'm looking for partners for any of the SOCAL Climbing Areas. I'm a life time climber. Will climb with anyone male or female 18 to ?. If you enjoy climbing and are fit enough to climb, its a match! Have rack, ropes, and transportation.
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looking to partner with someone 22-23 AUG and 29-30 AUG.....i'm in the bay area for work for the next three weeks and would also consider any other destination ideas. I have no preference of grade or difficulty, open to anything
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Michael McLaughlin 205 days ago
climbing Fri 21 Aug @Tuolumne Meadows
Comment/Reply - Msg Michael McLaughlinLooking for a partner for Fri 8/21 and Sat 8/22 at Tuolumne or Lovers Leap. I'll be driving out from the Bay Area Fri morning. Lead up to 5.9 trad, will follow 5.10. Mike
- Benny Kong - Man I would be so down to go but I have plans to learn to be a safer climber this week (self rescue class). Definitely some other time FYI I have a friend that lives up at Tahoe if you ever wanna climb up there.
- Michael McLaughlin - Sefl rescue class sounds like a good idea. Well worth it. I'm looking for partners in the area, so we should get together and climb soon. Mike
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Looking for partners for endurance training on rope or bouldering
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Going to be in Tuolumne for the weekend starting tomorrow afternoon. Would love to find some people that like moderates - 5.6 - 5.8. Just to have fun. Will climb harder if you lead.
- Lisa Joosten - Hey so Im just begining Im taking a lesson tomarrow so I can learn to belay but I dont know much about climbing im just starting to get into it. So ifyou are still interested let me know!
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Ron Kauk climbs Peace and Magic Line. One of the first well known climbing movies to ever screen, when Ron Kauk was god and Chris Sharma was a pimply teenager.
- Benny Kong - Ha do you have something against Sharma =P
