Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Climb to Lembert Dome, Yosemite

 

P1040727

We know we’ll never climb Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome, but after seeing people on top of Lembert Dome in Tuolumne Meadows on our first visit to the park last week, we knew we had to try this one. A relatively short but steep hike, just a little over a mile through the forest, takes you to this granite dome, at 9,450’. The views from the top are truly awe inspiring.

P1040729

As we emerged from the trees onto the rock, we spoke with a man who was coming back down. He said he had a slight case of acrophobia, and didn’t go all the way to the top. Well, that’s not what I wanted to hear. I was psyched to climb up, and then he got me thinking, which led to the feeling that there was no way I could make it up that steep rock.

P1040732

Actually  the getting up isn’t such a problem for me, but it’s that coming back down that sets off a panic attack.

Contemplating.

P1040734

Jim was encouraging me from above.

P1040737

The rock was very grippy, and there were only a few places that required some scrambling. It was only Jim and two young women on the dome when I finally got there, and they took our picture. Don’t we look like a couple of goofy tourists!

DSCN0323

We sat for a long time just looking out at the views of Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding mountains.

P1040739

The women told us their boyfriends were climbing up the side of Lembert Dome, and they were going over to watch them. They moved like mountain goats over the rock as we watched them. Wished I felt that confident.

We did see another smooth rock with people on it, and we were getting cold from the strong breeze, so we decided to see if we could get to it, also. It was much easier getting back down Lembert Dome than I thought  it would be.

DSCN0320

We then found our way up to Dog Dome, a much gentler slope. We could even see the climbers from there.

A nice view of Lembert Dome.

P1040754

And the climbers.

P1040752

P1040750

This was our favorite hike in Yosemite so far. We may just have to go back and do this one again.

DSCN0322

8 comments:

  1. Cool that you took charge of your fear and showed who was boss :)). I got a little freaked out on Half Dome...It's such a long hike to just get there and I was exhausted.
    Nice country...keep enjoying yourselves.
    Box Canyon Mark

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gorgeous!!! Yep, I would do it again if I were in your hiking boots.

    We did not do this trail but did do Enchanted Rock in TX. I don't think it is as high, but it was straight up. Like you said Gayle, the up was fine; the down not so much. Nothing to hold on to or break my fall...if I fell. Thank goodness I didn't. It was a long way down.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aye yi yi!! Just looking at those last couple of photos with the climbers on the edge of the rock made my heart drop into my stomach. Beautiful views but I think I'll be happy seeing them through others' eyes. Good for you Gayle for making the hike.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good for you Gayle. To go on up when you were afraid and then declare it a favorite hike. Fabulous! The views are spectacular and you both look great up there. You don't look like tourists, you look like hikers! Thanks so much for all these Yosemite pictures. It is THE national park I have not been to that is at the top of my list if I can ever figure out how to get out there at the right time which appears to be now. When does the snow start moving back in???

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a cool hike and it didn't look like there were mobs of people on it with you.

    Metamorphosis Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  6. You sure are seeing some beautiful sights. Glad the dome hike went well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for going on the higher altitude hikes I cannot go on and reporting with lots of pictures. I appreciate it tremendously.

    ReplyDelete