Liberty Cap (California) Explained

Liberty Cap
Photo Size:240
Elevation Ft:7080
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence Ft:956
Range:Sierra Nevada
Parent Peak:Half Dome[2]
Location:Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, U.S.
Map:California#USA
Map Size:240
Label Position:below
Coordinates:37.7285°N -119.5326°W
Topo Map:Half Dome
Type:Granite dome
Age:Cretaceous
Easiest Route:Scramble, [3]

Liberty Cap is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, California, United States which lies at the extreme northwestern margin of Little Yosemite Valley. It lies adjacent, to the north of Nevada Fall, on the John Muir Trail. It rises 1700feet feet from the base of Nevada Fall to a peak elevation of 70800NaN0. A smaller, mesa-like dome called Mount Broderick stands immediately adjacent to Liberty Cap.

Origin of the name

California Governor Leland Stanford visited Yosemite in 1865, and he and James Hutchings visited Nevada Fall. Stanford didn't like any proposed names, and, looking at half-dollar reputably produced by Hutchings, saw a resemblance between the Liberty Cap and the coin's cap of liberty and decided the name better,.[4]

Climbing

The easiest routes starts at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley and follow either the John Muir Trail or the Mist Trail to the top of Nevada Falls. Cross the bridge over the Merced River and climb the short ridge. From the granite slabs on the ridge ascend the Northeast Gully to the summit.[3]

There are a number of technical routes on Liberty Cap ranging in difficulty from class 5.8 to 5.11.[3]

Climbing Liberty Cap requires a wilderness permit, obtainable at all Yosemite visitor centers.

Notes and References

  1. 21399. Liberty Cap, California . 31 March 2012.
  2. 58201 . Liberty Cap . 31 March 2012.
  3. 151618 . Liberty Cap. 22 January 2014.
  4. Web site: Yosemite Valley Place Names. Richard J.. Hartesveldt. 1955. May 2, 2016.