Today went as planned. We left Mammoth and ate breakfast at the Mobil on "the 120" 11 miles east of the Yosemite park entrance. We rearranged our gear so that Matt could ride in with us. Starting up "the 120" was magnificent. Jagged mountain peaks abounded. We climbed and climbed up from Mono Lake covering some 3,000 feet in elevation gain in 11 miles. A waterfall gushed far below us in the canyon who's creation I could barely fathom. It was wild and raw, but truly beautiful. Topping out at Tioga Pass was just as awesome. Lakes, meadows, and pines extending seemingly endlessly around us. It was a magnificent outdoor playground that seemed otherworldly. I could not get enough of it. We parked at the Cathedral Lakes trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows and started the approach.
Cathedral Peak.Photograph by Chuck Bolte.
Shortly up the John Muir Trail we veered left on a climber's approach trail that handle-barred Budd Creek to the base of Cathedral Peak. The approach was long and steep in places, especially as we neared to base of the climb.
Budd Lake.Photograph by Chuck Bolte.
Clever marmot.Photograph by Chuck Bolte.
When we arrived we were greeted by three or four other parties of various size. Matt did not waste any time getting to climbing and soon we were two pitches up and climbing fast and efficiently even with three people in our group. Matt would lead and Beth Ann and I would simu-climb with Beth Ann tied into the rope twenty feet ahead of me.
Matt leading anywhere.Photograph by Chuck Bolte.
Beth Ann on the final pitch.Photograph by Chuck Bolte.
The granite rock was excellent for climbing. Although brittle in some places, two quartz knobs broke off into my hands, it was varied and featured and made for really fun climbing. Topping out was great. We could see for miles in all directions. We could even see into Yosemite Valley and see Half Dome. It was inspiring, but it was windy and cold.
Slightly underdressed we picked our way down the fourth class descent and found a sheltered spot where we could warm up. The only thing better than climbing Cathedral Peak is climbing Cathedral Peak and Eichorn's Pinnacle in the same outing. So we went for it. We continued scrambling away from Cathedral Peak for about 150 yards to reach a 5.4, but exposed and airy traverse and climb to the top of the pinnacle. Matt even did us the favor of rappelling down first and snapping some photos of Beth Ann and I at the top. We were silhouetted so all we could think to do was hold our arms up in the air.
Arms raised on Eichorn Pinnacle.Photograph by Chuck Bolte.
We rappelled down and were soon on our way back down the trail to the truck. Going down the trail my body was telling me we had a good day. I felt somewhat tired, but good, like I had accomplished something. And I was starving. We made it back to the Mobil on "the 120" and whipped up the usual camp dinner of pasta and ravioli. Tomorrow we head for the Fairview Dome Regular Route also in Tuolumne Meadows.
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