Fresno Dome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fresno Dome |
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![]() Fresno Dome's northern face as seen from the Fresno Dome trail.
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 7,544 ft (2,299 m) NAVD 88 |
Prominence | 260 ft (79 m) |
Geography | |
Location | Sierra National Forest, Madera County, California, U.S. |
Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
Topo map | USGS White Chief Mountains |
Geology | |
Age of rock | Cretaceous |
Mountain type | Granite dome |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Trail hike (class 1) |
Fresno Dome is a huge granite dome that stands tall and alone above the forests of Soquel Meadow. You can find it in the Sierra National Forest in Madera County, California.
History and Name
This impressive dome has a special history. The native Mono Indian people called it "wah-me-yelo," which means "the greeting place."
A famous naturalist named John Muir saw Fresno Dome in the 1870s. He called it "Wamello." Muir even used the top of the dome to find a group of giant trees, which we now know as Nelder Grove.
Getting There
Fresno Dome is easy to reach. A special trail starts about three miles from the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. This byway is part of the National Scenic Byway system.
The closest town to Fresno Dome is Bass Lake, California. It's about 9.1 miles (14.6 km) to the south.
Activities and Features
At the bottom of Fresno Dome, you'll find the Fresno Dome campground. This is a quiet campground that you can only get to by special jeep trails. It's a popular spot for people who enjoy hunting deer during certain seasons.
The dome is also a great place for experienced rock climbers. It has several challenging climbs. These are called "technical free climbs." One famous climb is "Guides in a Snowbank," which is rated 5.10a.