Corn Jack Peak
Peak · 2,309 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Corn Jack Peak is a 2309-foot summit in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Wind-exposed but accessible from the high-country approach.
Afternoon wind dominates; morning calm typically holds until mid-day. The 30-day average wind runs 7 mph, but gusts reach 18 mph by afternoon. Expect shelter on the lee slope. Morning departure gives you the window.
Over the last 30 days, Corn Jack Peak averaged a NoGo Score of 35, with temperatures holding at 55 degrees Fahrenheit and wind at 7 mph. The week ahead shows the trend chart; stack calm mornings early in the week if possible. Wind and crowd risk tick up as weekend approaches.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Corn Jack Peak
Corn Jack Peak sits at 2309 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor, a moderate elevation that places it above the valley floor but below the persistent snowpack zone. Access is primarily from Highway 180 via the Cedar Grove approach; drive time from the Central Valley is 4 to 5 hours. The peak lies on the boundary between wet-season avalanche terrain and drier high-Sierra exposure. Winter approach requires avalanche awareness; the ESAC (Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center) monitors the zone. Late spring and summer approaches avoid the snowpack instability that defines winter on exposed ridges.
Corn Jack Peak's weather character reflects its position in the Sierra Nevada rain shadow. The 30-day average temperature sits at 55 degrees Fahrenheit, with the annual range spanning 45 to 75 degrees. Wind is the dominant driver: the 30-day average is 7 mph, but afternoon funneling off the high country regularly pushes gusts to 18 mph. Mornings are markedly calmer than afternoons. Crowding remains light (averaging 2 on a 0-10 scale), so traffic is rarely the constraint; wind and weather are. Spring brings wet-slab avalanche risk on north-facing slopes; summer offers the most stable window.
Corn Jack Peak suits parties with experience on exposed high-Sierra ridges and avalanche terrain recognition. The peak appeals to peak-baggers targeting the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor, hikers comfortable with exposed scrambles, and climbers using it as a warm-up for higher technical objectives. Plan for morning departure to avoid afternoon wind. Bring layers; the 30-day average of 55 degrees masks rapid cooling once you gain the ridge. Water sources are sparse; cache or carry capacity. Late spring snow can linger on north aspects; verify current conditions with the ranger station at Cedar Grove before committing.
Nearby alternatives include higher-elevation peaks along the Great Western Divide and the lower-impact approach canyons that feed into the Kings River drainage. Moro Rock, a shorter and more forgiving summit 3 to 4 hours south, shares the same corridor but sits in a more sheltered zone. Visitors working the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor often chain Corn Jack with adjacent summits on a multi-day push. Check the ranger's current conditions report; early-season access can hinge on snow bridges and stream crossings.