Lembert Dome, Southeast Face

Lembert Dome, the 800-foot tall granite monolith rising above the eastern edge of Tuolumne Meadows, provides one of the best vistas in Tuolumne. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and there’s more than one way to gain the summit of the Lembert Dome.

While the vast majority of Lembert panorama seekers ascend the dome’s northeast shoulder, there’s a much more direct, slightly exposed Class 3 route that ascends the southeast face. The route can be seen from the parking area, requiring a quick off-trail jaunt eastward along the base of the dome for access.

The route entails scrambling up a steeper lower pitch (the crux) to gain a series of benches and ramps that lead to a prominent westward facing prow and excellent viewpoint. Tip: on the lower and middle sections, stay near the trees for the easiest ascent.

From the west-facing prow, an easygoing hop in a northeasterly direction leads to the summit and an even better view. You can either descend the Class 3 scramble up the southeast face or link up with the Lembert Dome Loop by dropping down the northeast shoulder.