Carved into the iconic West Face of Fairview Dome, Great Pumpkin offers a classic Yosemite trad experience that stretches over 700 feet and climbs through five engaging pitches. This route delivers solid, straightforward climbing with moments of mental challenge, a combination that appeals to climbers seeking a blend of adventure and thoughtful movement on granite. Starting just right of the Roseanne route, Great Pumpkin invites you onto mainly easy face climbing that quickly introduces a few run-outs and subtle routefinding challenges. The first pitch meanders up an inviting slab at 5.4 difficulty, setting a comfortable tone and giving climbers a chance to find their rhythm on the dome’s broad granite expanse.

From this initial ledge, the climbing steps up in interest. You’ll tackle a short left-facing corner, a bolt-protected bulge, then move right to a belay station at the 5.8 crux. This pitch demands careful footwork and steady balance, especially as protection gets a little sparse. The next section calls for a 5.8 lieback, a move that tests finger strength and body tension, rewarding those who hold their composure with an exposed belay.

Continuing, a left-facing corner guides you to another spacious ledge, rated around 5.7, providing a natural rest and a chance to soak in the sweeping views of Tuolumne Meadows below. The route’s character unfolds further as you climb right along the ledge’s end, diving into a series of 5.8 pitches. These feature a handful of bolts—just enough to ease the mental load but still requiring solid trad skills to place gear wisely. Passing two bolts then three bolts on successive pitches, you’ll progress steadily until the final 5.8 segment completes the climb and brings you to the walk-off.

Great Pumpkin is graced with classic Tuolumne granite—solid, featured, and receptive to protection placements. The rock demands attentiveness but rewards with confidence when approached with a full rack. Routefinding is a key element throughout; the path isn’t always blatantly obvious, so maintaining focus on the sequence and natural features is critical.

Approaching this climb mid to late season is optimal, when the weather is stable, and the granite is dry and welcoming. Mornings provide ideal temperatures before the sun fully warms the west face, which bakes in the heat by afternoon. Adequate hydration, steady pacing, and a prepared mindset make this route an excellent launchpad for climbers venturing beyond gym-scale challenges into the wilderness realm of Yosemite’s higher country.

Beyond the climbing, the area thrives with expansive alpine panoramas, ambient pine scent, and the occasional chatter of distant climbers echoing between domes. Great Pumpkin not only tests technical skills but also rewards with perspective—a reminder that adventure springs from both physical effort and mental discovery in the rock’s embrace.

In short, Great Pumpkin is an accessible yet fulfilling trad climb in one of Yosemite’s quieter corners. Its blend of approachable difficulty, interesting movement, and a touch of adventure make it a must-do for trad climbers exploring the Tuolumne meadows area seeking a genuine connection with the granite and the wild surrounding it.