Lembert Dome Trail Hiker Reviews

In 1978, a friend and I were touring Yosemite before I moved back to Pennsylvania. We saw the dome as we drove along Tioga Road. It was early in the day and we had time to hike that dome. So...we did! We didn't even know its name at that time, but no matter...we felt the urge...saw the challenge and met it. We scrambled up the highway side of the dome and were thrilled to reach the top. I can't remember how long it took us, but we climbed with no gear...just had our impulses and energy and youth. We took only 2 photos but I treasure them. It was the last time I touched Lembert Dome. I returned 2 weeks later by myself and hiked the back country...starting at Tioga Road. I had the most fantastic experience...including a face-to-snout experience with a black bear as I lay in my sleeping bag at 5 am. I aged from 28 to 100 in 5 minutes. Eventually, I hiked back toward the valley and up the cable "trail" to the top of Half Dome and was in heaven for those many hours. I was 28 then. I'm 63 now and the thrill has not left me...only my stamina and hair. I wish I could hike Lembert Dome again with my old friend...I wish I could hike up Half Dome again and feel Yosemite flow through me like the Merced. I may never get my aging bones back to my beloved Yosemite but I will always be there in spirit.

We took the more direct route to Lembert Dome, beginning at the Dog Lake parking lot. The first segment of this trail is a moderately strenuous climb; once on the spur to Lembert Dome, it isn’t quite as bad. Panoramic views of the nearby meadows and distant, snow-capped mountains from atop Lembert Dome are impressive. (How many of those peaks can you name?)

You might be tempted to think that the views from Lembert Dome and nearby Pothole dome are too similar to justify climbing both, but both hikes are worthwhile – and ascending each dome is unique. Do ‘em both, but probably not on the same day.

The hike is short but steep, but the view is almost like Half Dome which is a much tougher hike. Navigating the dome is a little tricky and tie your hat on if you want to keep it. Watch the loose rocks, stay on the granite and be sure to wear good tennis shoes or hiking boots, this is not a sandal friendly footing. It is a good preview of what Half Dome is like without the 16 mile hike from the valley floor so if you have uneasiness about being on top of Lembert, I would reconsider ever doing Half Dome.

Starting from Dog Lake (7/23/12) the trail climbs steadily around the Dome before you start the real climb. The rock is very rough and I don't think the laws of physics and the coefficient of friction would allow you to slip as long as your shoes have rubber soles! But you do have to be careful; I think the best route is to bear around to the left once you get to the steepest part.

In my opinion the views aren't as good as from the much smaller Pothole Dome, because the latter gives a closer view of the meadow instead of the postage-stamp size it appears from Lembert; there are more big mountains closer to Pothole, and viewing Lembert from Pothole is more impressive than viewing Pothole from Lembert! So if you don't fancy the climb, there are valid reasons to choose the flatter dome. On the other hand, if you enjoy a brisk challenge, the panorama from Lembert Dome certainly isn't chopped liver.

This is a fantastic hike, I was surprised there weren't more people doing it! I started at the Dog Lake Trail head to shorten the hike a bit. It's quite a climb up from there but totally worth it. Once you've reached the top keep going, there is a small pinnacle that takes a small scramble to get there but very worth the effort. A 360 degree view of Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding mountains!

This was one of the best hikes I have done in the park! Rewarding views at the top of the dome. You feel like you're on top of the world! Solitude until the very end where everyone piles up, but still lots of space. Well worth the effort.

Lembert Dome was beautiful, serene and a perfect view. No others on foot or horseback on the third week of Sept. Surprised at how much grip there was on the surface of the dome. For a flatlander (we live at 724 ft.) we loved it. Watching the sunset clouds roll in was awesome. Well worth our time. Wish we could have spent more time in the park than the 3 days we had!