Routes in Yosemite National Park for selected grade

A great place to take first-time climbers for several variations of slab climbing in the 5.6-5.8 range. To access the large platform at the top, walk around left or climb Bobcat Crack to the right. Sling the tree and back it up with gear.

Pro to 4.5".

Optional second pitch for Grant's Crack, Oak Tree Flake, or Swan Slab Chimney. Climb past blocks to the bay tree then continue up the fingers-to-hands crack. One old bolt marks the belay. Pro to 2.5".

For the descent, walk left and down some 5.easy terrain to a gully, then either downclimb the 5.5 gully, rappel from a tree, or walk off left to the top of Penthouse Cracks and rappel from the 2-bolt top anchor there.

Obvious chimney above the top anchor for Grant's Crack.

Located in the leftmost dihedral of the five open books area, this route begins with a 4th class scramble up to a bush. Then it's two or three pitches of varied climbing with corners, cracks, friction slab, and a bulge. Be careful of loose rock at the top, and consider belaying from the trees to the right instead of the left. Walk off left to descend with an optional single rope rappel.

Lovely crack-in-a-corner. Bolted anchor.

Pro to 3.5". To descend, walk right and rap 90' from bolts.

Three pitches of scrambly crack climbing up a slightly positive (20 to 30 degree) slab. Just before reaching the top-out at the end of the third pitch, the crack seam disappears and the climber must make two or three intimidating traverse moves to better holds.

The route finishes on a very large ledge with bolts. There are now 5 rappel anchors (including the final belay station) that let you rap in a direct line to the bottom.

1. 5.6, 110+ft. Climb a left-facing 3rd then 4th-class corner up towards a downward-pointing dagger of rock. Pass this on the right side, pulling a small roof (5.6) then up and right to a small stance for the belay.

2. 5.6, 100ft. Climb the right-curving hand-crack up the slab until there is a stance for belay at a widening in the crack.

3. 5.6, 150ft. Continue up the right-leaning crack until it tapers out, then a few thin (for 5.6) slab moves up to a large ledge to finish.

Right facing corner.

Climb the prow from a high start.

Start on a jug and climb straight up.

Climb straight up from the right side of the juggy shelf.

Climb the slabby scoop.

Climb straight up from slopey jugs.

Climb the left angling ramp.

Go up edges on the back face. A good downclimb.

Climb the face in a variety of spots.

Mantle into the scoop and climb up.

Climb the rail just right of the tree from a high start.

Pro to 7".

A good introductory route for Tuolumne. Anchors are hard to spot. Trend right after 2nd horizontal break.

Pro to 4", 2 draws.

Seemingly intimidating from afar, the Southeast Buttress of Cathedral Peak is a beautiful 5 pitch route filled with lovely moderate climbing.

A must do when in Tuolumne, Cathedral Peak can become quite crowded, fortunately the climbing offers many ways to navigate around other parties, at least down low (up high the face narrows, and parties tend to get bottlenecked).

Approach: gear-up at the car park and walk under Lembert Dome. To access the first pitch, follow the first ramp you come to, leading up & right above where you've hiked. Set-up a natural belay next to a tree.

1. Up some mantles with the hardest protected by a bolt. Up to the roof and follow the corner out up and left. Well protected corner with cams/wires in crack. Belay at ledge where crack steepens to vertical.

2. Straight up the crack.corner is 5.9, instead, climb out to the right on easy terrain and back above the crack. Continue up wide off-width crack to top. Belay under the final ledge (no gear).

Descent: walk-off right down 3rd and 4th class slabs.

The long ridge separating the large, slabby west face of Mt Conness from the steep south face. There are numerous ways to climb here, but generally the best exposure and climbing is to stay as close to the south face as possible. Can be accessed from the Young Lakes (great camping), or as an exceptionally long day trip from Saddlebag Lake, by hiking in over the south side of the mountain.

The long, low angled ridge extending away to the north of the peak. Usually accessed from Saddlebag Lake.