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Lembert Dome

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (15)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. …Yosemite National Park
  5. Tuolumne Meadows
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“A short, uncrowded hike that leads you to majestic views of Tuolumne Meadows. ”

Isabel Jacobson
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Map Key

2.0

Miles

3.2

KM

Out and Back

9,385' 2,861 m

High

8,698' 2,651 m

Low

689' 210 m

Up

688' 210 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (7°)

33%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly While it is a fairly easy trail with little trouble, the top might be a bit dangerous for young children who don't or won't stay close to the adult they are with in order to maintain safety.

The trail is closed any time Tioga Road is closed which is usually from October until the end of May.

Overview

What makes the hike special is the view at the top of the Dome. Once you've reached the top, you can see out onto Tuolumne Meadows in three different directions. Make sure once you are at the top that you do take the time to hike around in order to fully experience the views that the Dome has to offer.

Need to Know

There are heavy winds at the top so make sure to either take off or secure your hat!

Description

The Lembert Dome Trail is located in Tuolumne Meadows. This hike to Lembert Dome starts off from the parking lot near Tuolomne Meadows Lodge. It's an easy uphill hike that is not usually crowded. You'll have to be careful, however, climbing near the very end of the trail. From the parking lot, start out on the Lembert Dome Trail which you'll follow for about a half a mile before turning left onto the Lembert Dome Spur Trail.

The top of Lembert Dome is wide and fairly flat so you wont feel crowded, and despite the heavy winds, you won't fall off. The Dome offers incredible panoramic views of Tuolumne Meadows which, considering how easy the hike up was, it almost feels like cheating. There are parts of the trail that are a bit less defined but its unlikely you could get lost. You can also choose the path to take while making your ascent up the dome based on whichever way you feel comfortable.

If you are looking for a simple hike with breathtaking views and that doesn't come with a large crowd, this is the route for you. Also make sure to climb around a bit once on the top in order to fully take in everything that Lembert Dome has to offer. Definitely wear appropriate footwear preferably with a bit of grip, aka no flip flops. Once you are done taking in the views, head back down the way you came to return to the trailhead.

The same trailhead also leads to several other trails with stunning views such as the Dog Lake Trail, so make sure and schedule those in as well when making the trek. Lembert Dome is a short hike that is definitely worthwhile. Also, a quick side note, make sure and take off your hat before you get to the top of the Dome because you'll be experiencing some pretty hefty wind action!

Flora & Fauna

Depending on circumstances, it is not uncommon to see deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and a variety of birds while on the trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Yosemite

Shared By:

Isabel Jacobson with improvements by Tilman Giese
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 15 votes

#2

in Tuolumne Meadows

#889

Overall
  4.6 from 15 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Tuolumne Meadows

#144

in California

#889

Overall
2 Views Last Month
3,080 Since Sep 24, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
54%
8%
38%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Cathedral Peak and part of the Cathedral Range from Lembert Dome.
Jan 23, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
View from the top was amazing!!
Oct 9, 2017 near Yosemit…, CA
PJ heads down from Lembert.
Jul 11, 2017 near Yosemit…, CA
The view toward Tioga Pass from Lembert Dome.
Jan 23, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
Tuolumne Meadows and clouds from the top of Lembert Dome
Jan 23, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
The early morning sun from Lembert Dome.
Feb 25, 2024 near Yosemit…, CA

1 Comment

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Check-Ins

Oct 8, 2022
Tilman Giese
Sep 22, 2022
Johnny Addison
Connected from Dog Lake. Used Tioga road to get back to starting trailhead. 4mi
Sep 3, 2022
Sai Krishna Kanada
Done
Jul 2, 2022
David Hitchcock
Hiked at the end of a Young Lakes Loop trail. it was pretty in the afternoon, very windy
Oct 5, 2021
Evan Mitchell
Hike with dad, doobie at top, little free climbin', sore knees down.
Sep 22, 2021
Andrew Lilly
Short but strenuous hike up to Lemberg Dome, which provides tremendous views of Tuolumne Meadows and Sierra Nevadas
Sep 13, 2021
Tom Herr
Steady, but not steep, hike. Climbing the dome was steep in places, but the rock had great traction. Great views of the Tuolumne Meadows and River. 2.3mi
Aug 14, 2021
Amy Kolor

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