Wilts Col

Wilts Col is a high, unmarked saddle in Yosemite's Cathedral Range, tucked between Echo Peaks and Echo Ridge near Tuolumne Meadows. There's no trailhead sign for it and no maintained tread — climbers and experienced off-trail hikers use it as a waypoint for reaching Echo Peaks, Echo Ridge, and Cathedral Peak, often while stringing together a full Cathedral Range traverse.

Getting there

Start at the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead on Tioga Road and follow the John Muir Trail for about half a mile. A climbers' use trail then splits off and climbs the Budd Creek drainage; once Echo Peaks come into view, the route leaves any semblance of a path and goes fully cross-country over talus and granite slabs to the col. Bring a topo map and route-finding experience — this is not a signed hike.

What to expect

The standard approach tops out around class 2 scrambling, and the far side drops toward Budd Lake on similarly rough, unmaintained terrain. Wilts Col itself is a pass, not a summit, so most people move through it rather than lingering — it's a link in a bigger day, not a standalone destination. This is climbing and mountaineering terrain, not a casual day hike: solid footwear, an early start ahead of Sierra afternoon thunderstorms, and off-trail navigation skills are all essential.