Lower Cathedral Spire

Lower Cathedral Spire isn't a trail you walk to the top of — it's a freestanding granite tower above Yosemite Valley that requires roped climbing to summit. The name turns up on hiking lists sometimes, but the reality is a steep, loose approach followed by multi-pitch 5.9+ climbing. If you're not climbing, the reward here is admiring the spire from the Valley floor, not standing on top of it.

The Approach

The climber's trail starts near the Cathedral Rocks pullout on Southside Drive and gains roughly 1,900 feet over about 2.3 miles, including a brutal stretch of 1,200 feet in under a mile through loose talus and scree. Cairns mark the way through the gully between the Cathedral Rocks and the spires, but this is rough, unmaintained terrain — sturdy boots and trekking poles help.

Getting to the Top

Two classic lines start from the same ledge system on the spire's southeast corner: the Regular Route (5.9), first climbed in 1934, and the harder South by Southwest (5.11a). Both share their first two pitches before splitting. From the summit, expect clear views of El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks, Yosemite Falls, and Sentinel Rock.

Before You Go

• This is a climbing objective, not a hike — reaching the top requires a rope, rack, and multi-pitch experience.
• Yosemite closes select cliffs each nesting season for peregrine falcon protection; check the park's current climbing closures before committing to a route.
• Standard Yosemite entrance fees apply, and spring through fall is the typical climbing window.