If you could summit one peak in Yosemite (other than Half Dome) that is class 3-4 or less, what would it be?

I could be a subjective matter. I would say Mt. Conness. It has all manner of good climbing routes, easily accessible and has some of the best views of the Yos. high country and the hi Sierra in general.

without a doubt, Cathedral Peak

Okay, I gotta do it then. Cathedral, that is.

Matthes Crest. If you can solo a couple of pitches of 5.3 or so, then you have a mile of class 3 (in the photo) to the South Summit. Conness and Cathedral Peak are awesome, but not quite as awesome IMO.





One of the easier (class 1) hikes with spectacular views and no crowds is Clouds Rest from the Sunrise TH (near Tenaya Lake).

Also don't forget Mt. Clark, although it's a long, partly cross country hike, and to summit you have to climb a short very exposed class 4 section that feels more like class 5. Views are spectacular and chances are you won't see anybody else for a long time.

Class 1: Cloud's Rest
Class 2: Mount Conness
Class 3: Mount Lyell
Class 4: Cathedral Peak

OK, that's more than one.

Dovetailing on 1000peaks, you can hook up Tuolumne and Hoffman in a nice fun loop.

I do not know if I can pick just one. I have enjoyed all of the Yosemite peaks I've summited.

Yeah, man, so many great peaks in Yosemite. I'd hafta agree with the majority, though, that Cathedral should be your choice (if you could do just one).

Give me a holler when you arrive and I will take you up this stellar peak that will leave you with the fondest of memories and I guarantee ya that no crowds will be around on route nor the summit....

Tenaya Peak



Then again, if you are a "Social Climber", by all means, Cathedral and or Matthes Crest are indeed your choice.

Gun to head (and given the class 3-4 parameter), I'd pick Lyell. It is remote, has a glacier, unbelievably beautiful, not very crowded and has a few Class 3-4 options. Can be done CTC in a day if you start very early and keep moving.

2nd choice would be Cathedral Peak via regular route. That Class 4 downclimb will get your attention

Conness is probably my favorite mountain in the park but I can't recommend its 3rd Class route, East Ridge as a fun outing. North or West Ridges are entirely different story

North Dome. We parked at Porcupine Creek trailhead on Hwy.120 ,hiked out to North Dome for the awesome views of Half Dome & Tenaya Canyon,hiked West on the North Rim trails to Yosemite Point and the Lost Arrow Tip to the top of Yosemite Falls.We only saw about six people before we got to the Falls,descended the Falls trail to the Valley, had lunch on the patio of the Ahwahnee ,and took YARTS back to Porcupine Creek well before dinner at the Tioga Pass Resort . We have also hiked down Yosemite Creek from Hwy.120 ,climbed Eagle Peak for the great views of Yosemite Falls and El Capitan ,descended to the Valley and returned on YARTS to Hwy.120. Have a great hike!

All this talk of Yosemite's getting me excited. Fingers crossed the road opens next Friday!

Gary Schenk wrote:Lyell and Starr King are two of my favorite climbs, but I'm going to throw in a vote for Tower Peak. The long hike in is beautiful, the peak itself is a fun class 3 scramble, the views are very good.
Oh, and Whorl, too. And what about the Doodad? And Volunteer? Piute?

I forgot about Whorl! Without a doubt that has been my most enjoyable outing in Yosemite. Really liked that peak.

Was thinking of doing Tower this summer Gary, which approach are you talking about here? Leavitt Meadows?

Good list from mrchad. I think I'd have to opt for Conness as my fave, though I've only done it by the N. Ridge. Remote feeling, nice summit, superb views. The class 2 walk up would seem like a plod though.

One of my faves, though it sees a fair bit of traffic, is Mt. Dana. Beautiful wildflowers in the summer, you can hike to the edge of Dana Canyon and get a beautiful view of those glacial lakes down below. Awesome views of Mono Lake and Mt. Lyell from the summit. Just so accessible and so nice.

Cathedral is a GREAT summit but climb itself up the back side is, IMHO, just so so compared to the SE Buttress. In any case, there are so many good choices, it's hard to go wrong. Even the most random spots in Tuolumne are amazingly beautiful.