Polly Dome

Overview

Polly Dome is a large complex dome on the northwest side of Tenaya Lake in the Yosemite high country. The glaciated and exfoliated southeast portion of the dome, known as Stately Pleasure Dome is a prominent sight next to motorists on Hwy. 120 as they drive around the northwest shore of the lake. The dome is over 2 miles long and has forested north and west slopes. Stately Pleasure Dome has 10 class 5 climbing routes featured in the previous link. The rest of the larger dome has a few class 2 routes to the top and at least 4 class 5 climbing routes. The summit has unobstructed views north over Tuolumne Meadows to the Sierra crest, northwest over the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and east to the Cathedral Range.

Getting There

 FROM THE WEST: POLLY DOME LAKES TRAIL, Class 2, 1,750' el. gain: On Hwy. 120 from Yosemite National Park entrance drive 5 miles and turn left at the junction of 120 to Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass. Go 32 miles to Tenaya Lake and take the Polly Dome Lakes Trail which goes north across from the lake at the foot of the south end of the dome.
Take the trail north about 1 mile where it comes to open granite and rocks and break off to the right (east) up slabs (more forested on the left) to the crest of the dome. Traverse northeast across slabs to the summit at the northeast end.

FROM THE EAST: OFF HIGHWAY 120, Class 2, 1,350' el. gain: From Tioga Pass go 12.5 miles west on HWY. 120 to the Mariposa/Tuolumne county line (2 miles northeast of Tenaya Lake).
Hike southwest up through forest for .8 miles, continue up open slabs another half mile staying to the left and turn right to the summit.

CLIMBING ROUTES: These first 3 routes are on the southeast face of Polly Dome between the north end of Tenaya Lake and Pywiack Dome.
1-THE BLOCK- 5.8
2- THE COOLER- 5.9
3- DEIMOS- 5.8
4- THE STAIRS OF CIRITH UNGOL- 5.7 This route is hidden from the road on the northwest side.
Descriptions of these routes can be found in THE CLIMBERS GUIDE TO THE HIGH SIERRA by Steve Roper, Sierra Club Books

Red Tape

 There is a 30 dollar entrance fee per vehicle good for 7 days into Yosemite National Park.
This is a day hike.
For camping permits in Yosemite National Park contact: Call Yosemite National Park 209 372-0200.

Camping

 TENAYA LAKE: 8,160', At the southwest end of the Lake, next to Hwy. 120, 31 miles from the Hwy. 120 junction to Tioga Pass from the west.
PORCUPINE FLAT: 8,100', Next to Hwy. 120, 23.3 miles from the junction to Tioga Pass from the west.
WHITE WOLF: 7,875, 14 miles from the junction to Tioga Pass from the west on Hwy. 120, then turn left (north) 1 mile to the campground.
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS: 8,700', 7.5 miles west on Hwy. 120 from Tioga Pass from the east on the south side of the road.

Etymology

 POLLY DOME; POLLY DOME LAKES Tuolumne Meadows 15'
Named by R.B. Marshall, USGS, for Mrs. Polly McCabe, a daughter of Col. W. W. Forsyth and the wife of Lt. McCabe. (Farquhar: Forsyth. See McCabe Lakes.) The name was applied to the lakes because it was in common use. (USGS.) (YNP) - Place Names of the Sierra Nevada by Peter Browning, Wilderness Press.

Images

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