Distance: 4.5 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 9450' (Lembert), 9400' (Dog)
Elevation Gain: 1045'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.8
Round trip time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Recommended water: 32 oz.
Parking/Fees: $30 National Parks Fee (one car for one week)
Difficulty: Easy
Lembert Dome is a short, popular hike near Tuolome Meadows in Yosemite. Dog Dome juts out from side of Lembert and can be easily accessed from the same trail. I was on my way to pick up Leisa from her backpacking trip and had a couple of hours to kill. I parked at the Dog Lake trailhead just off Tioga Pass Road and found a parking spot in the nearly full lot. I found out later a shorter trail to Lembert existed at an earlier lot that went around the east side. Instead, I took off around the west side with many other hikers.
It took a few minutes to weave around the crowd so I could move at a more natual pace. I still got stuck behind several packs not courteous enough to let me by. I was pushing myself a little to make sure I was not late for the pickup. I soon reached the Lembert Dome trail and the northeast base. It started as a series of pancake slabs, then dropped 50' to access the upper section of the Dome. The direct route required a scramble that got easier the further north you went. I found an easy ascent path and made the summit in a few minutes where ten or more people were milling around. Lembert had no marks that I could find and was too popular for a register. It did sport wonderful views. I only stayed on top a minute or two, then descended back to the trail with a group led by a ranger.
From the base of Lembert, you can start walking up Dog. I went a couple of hundred feet down the trail but should have veered off sooner. Dog Dome was simple class 1 walk up, but was nearly as high as Lembert. I was alone on Dog Dome. A few more photos and I returned to my truck to find overflow parking was starting to fill up. I got to Ten Lakes Trailhead ahead of schedule and picked up my wife who was tired but in great spirits. On the drive out, she shared her stories of the previous three days adventures.
So, let's see, I'm back at school this week, and you're out hiking in Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra. Yeah, I see what's going on here. LOL Looks like you're having fun, Keith. Good on you, mate.
ReplyDeleteMike,
DeleteToo bad you started so early. My wife and I are doing more trips this summer to make up for last year. It's hard not to have fun in the Sierra.
That last pic is awesome!
ReplyDeleteHow was Leisa's backpacking adventure?
Madison,
DeleteShe had a good trip. They were supposed to go north from Ten Lakes, but went south instead because of smoke. They went to upper Yosemite falls and swam in the pools there. Also Eagle Peak and a few other side trips. Jury is still out on whether backpacking will become a regular thing.