Mount Lyell (California)

Mount Lyell is the highest point in Yosemite National Park, reaching up to 13,114 feet (3,997 meters). It sits at the southeast end of the Cathedral Range, about 1 and a quarter miles (2 kilometers) northwest of Rodgers Peak. This majestic peak, along with nearby Lyell Canyon, was named to honor Charles Lyell, a famous geologist from the 1800s.

One of the most interesting features of Mount Lyell was one of the last glaciers in Yosemite, called the Lyell Glacier. Today, it is regarded more as a permanent ice field rather than an active glacier. Mount Lyell plays an important role in the landscape, separating the Tuolumne River watershed to the north, the Merced River to the west, and the Rush Creek drainage that flows toward Mono Lake Basin to the southeast.

Climbing

The most common way to reach Mount Lyell starts from Tuolumne Meadows along the John Muir Trail. This hike is about 25 miles long and goes up about 4,500 feet. It is easy at first but becomes a bit harder near Donohue Pass.

Most people go over or around the Lyell Glacier to reach the top. Because the glacier changes with the seasons, it’s best to check conditions before choosing a path. One route goes along the northwest Ridge, between Mount Lyell and Mount Maclure, which is usually not too hard but can become trickier if there is less snow.

The rocks near the top are loose and can be unsafe when there is less snow, so climbers need to be careful. There are other paths on the south and west sides, but they are longer and more difficult.

Climate

Mount Lyell has a special kind of weather because of its height. The temperatures there can change a lot, and it often gets snow, even when other parts of the park do not. This makes the area around Mount Lyell cool and covered in snow for much of the year.