Lembert Dome Hike

The view from this end of the dome does not show its highest part, but from the campground view of the south side you can see that it rises in three increasingly higher levels.

A trail starts at the parking lot below the dome, along the side road from Highway 120 to the stables. It climbs steeply to a spacious backside ridge that has great views for anyone acrophobic. (Photo below from Tiffany Fast).

Continuing on towards the top, we become grateful that the dome is made completely of Cathedral Peak Granodiorite, which has enough texture to walk on without slipping, and many crystals sticking out slightly from the rock to help with hand holds, finger holds and boot placement. (Photo below from Tiffany Fast).

You can perch yourself on a glacial erratic on the very top.

There are great views in all directions. At one end of the meadow you'll spot Pothole Dome, and above it Tuolumne Peak, then looking towards the left from there, Fairview Dome, Mount Hoffman, Cathedral Peak, Tresidder, Echo Peaks, Echo Ridge, Unicorn, Johnson Ridge, Johnson Peak, Mount Lyell, Lyell Canyon, Kuna Crest (the highest point here is Kuna Peak) Mount Gibbs, Granite Divide, Mount Dana, Gaylor peak, 12002', Dingley Dome and Ragged Peak.

Here, a telephoto view down to the meadow and river:

Here, a telephoto view of the glacier on Mount Lyell:

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Global warming! Check out these August 14, 1903 and August 14, 2003 photos of the Lyell Glacier melt:

The second photo was taken by Hassan Jules Basagic IV for his masters thesis (used with his permission).

Read his masters thesis on glacier change in the Sierras: http://web.pdx.edu/~basagic/snglac.html

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The De Anza College Outdoor Club does this hike almost yearly as a part of our Tuolumne trip.

Enhance your hike by reading:

Day hike gear

GORP and hiking snacks

Thunderstorm and lightning safety

At altitude

Hiking Advice has hot weather hiking advice, hiking logistics and the answer to the question: When is the best time of day to cross a mountain stream?

Enhance your drive to the park: Road trip advice and etiquette