Middle Cathedral Rock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Middle Cathedral Rock |
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Middle Cathedral from El Capitan
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,648 ft (2,026 m) NAVD 88 |
| Geography | |
| Location | Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS El Capitan |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous |
| Mountain type | granite cliff |
The Middle Cathedral Rock is a huge rock face found in Yosemite Valley, California. It stands tall on the south side of the valley. Just north of Middle Cathedral Rock, you can see the famous El Capitan. Middle Cathedral Rock is well-known for its climbing routes. One of its most famous paths, the East Buttress Route, is even mentioned in a very important climbing book called Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.
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Discovering Middle Cathedral Rock
Middle Cathedral Rock is a striking part of the amazing landscape in Yosemite Valley. It is one of several large rock formations that make Yosemite famous. People from all over the world come to see these giant cliffs.
Where is Middle Cathedral Rock Located?
This impressive rock is located in Yosemite National Park. This park is in Mariposa County, California, in the United States. Yosemite is known for its beautiful valleys, waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees. Middle Cathedral Rock is a key landmark within this stunning park. It is part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
How Tall is Middle Cathedral Rock?
Middle Cathedral Rock reaches an elevation of 6,648 feet (about 2,026 meters) above sea level. This makes it a very tall and noticeable feature in the valley. Its height offers incredible views for those who climb it. It also looks very grand from the valley floor.
Climbing Adventures on Middle Cathedral Rock
Middle Cathedral Rock is a popular spot for rock climbers. Its steep sides and challenging routes attract experienced climbers. The rock offers many different paths to the top. Each path has its own level of difficulty.
The Famous East Buttress Route
One of the most well-known climbing routes on Middle Cathedral Rock is the East Buttress Route. This route is considered a classic climb. It is even featured in the book Fifty Classic Climbs of North America. This book lists some of the most important and exciting climbs on the continent. Being included in this book shows how special and challenging the East Buttress Route is. Climbers often spend many hours, or even days, on these long routes.
What is Middle Cathedral Rock Made Of?
Middle Cathedral Rock is made mostly of granite. Granite is a very hard and strong type of rock. It forms deep underground from molten rock that cools slowly. Over millions of years, the land lifted, and softer rocks wore away. This left the tough granite exposed.
How Old is the Rock?
The granite that forms Middle Cathedral Rock is very old. It was formed during the Cretaceous period. This period was about 145 to 66 million years ago. During this time, dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The rock has been shaped by weather and ice over millions of years. This long process created the amazing cliffs we see today.
