Echo Peak #9

About

Echo Peak #9 is the highest and hardest of the nine granite summits that make up the Echo Peaks, a cluster of peaklets in Yosemite's Cathedral Range near Tuolumne Meadows. At 10,886 feet, it's rated class 5.7 — technical rock climbing, not a walk-up — which is why serious climbers usually save it for last after tagging the group's easier summits.

Getting There

There's no maintained trail to the top. Climbers start at the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows, follow the John Muir Trail about a half mile, then branch onto the unmarked climbers' path that also serves nearby Cathedral Peak. That route climbs the Budd Creek drainage until the Echo Peaks come into view, after which it's cross-country travel and scrambling to reach the base.

What to Expect

The standard line up Echo Peak #9 is the Southwest Face — exposed climbing over rock that turns loose in spots, so test holds before committing weight. A summit register placed by the Sierra Club sits at the top, with open views across to Cathedral Peak and Matthes Crest. This is a destination for roped climbers or highly competent scramblers, not a general day hike.

Camping is not permitted in the Budd Creek drainage on the Echo Peaks' north side — treat this as a day trip, or base out of Cathedral Lakes or Echo Lake instead.
Parties often link several of the nine Echo Peaks in one outing, typically budgeting 3-5 hours for the group plus approach time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Echo Peak #9 a hike or a climb?

It's a technical rock climb, not a hike. The standard route up the Southwest Face is rated class 5.7, and there's no maintained trail — climbers scramble in cross-country from the Cathedral Peak approach route.

Where does the approach for Echo Peak #9 start?

Most parties start at the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows, follow the John Muir Trail roughly a half mile, then take the unmarked climbers' path up the Budd Creek drainage toward Cathedral Peak and the Echo Peaks group.

Can you camp near Echo Peaks?

Not in the Budd Creek drainage on the peaks' north side — camping is prohibited there. Most climbers treat Echo Peak #9 as a day trip, or camp nearby at Cathedral Lakes or Echo Lake instead.