Arnot Peak
Peak · 10,036 ft · Yosemite corridor
Arnot Peak is a 10,036-foot summit in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Sitting at high elevation in avalanche terrain, it demands winter awareness and calm conditions.
Wind dominates Arnot Peak's character. The 30-day average wind runs 11 mph, with gusts to 29 mph. Afternoon wind builds steadily; mornings are calmer. At 10,036 feet, temperature averages 29 degrees over the last month. Snow and rime ice persist into late spring.
Over the last 30 days, Arnot Peak averaged a NoGo Score of 33, with wind at 11 mph and temperatures around 29 degrees. The range shows the volatility: scores swing from 5 to 50, and wind has hit 29 mph. The week ahead will track similar patterns. Use the chart to spot the calmer windows and avoid the afternoon surge.
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Today's score by factor
About Arnot Peak
Arnot Peak rises in the high Sierra along the Yosemite corridor, north of Tioga Pass and Highway 120. The peak sits in avalanche terrain managed by the Sierra Avalanche Center. Access from the east comes via Lee Vining and U.S. 395, then Highway 120 west toward the Sierra crest. The nearest trailheads lie off the Tioga Road (Highway 120); approach varies by season and snow conditions. Winter and spring require careful route planning and avalanche terrain awareness. The peak's low popularity score reflects its remote exposure and technical demand.
Arnot Peak experiences extreme seasonality. Winter snowpack is heavy; spring brings instability and wind loading. Over the rolling 365-day cycle, temperatures range from 17 degrees in winter to 45 degrees in summer. The 30-day average sits at 29 degrees, reflecting current late-spring conditions. Wind is persistent; the 30-day average of 11 mph understates afternoon gusts, which regularly reach the 29 mph maximum recorded in the rolling period. Crowding averages only 3 on the scale, so solitude is the norm. Late spring and early summer see the highest use, but still remain quiet compared to valley floors.
Arnot Peak suits winter climbers, ski mountaineers, and high-alpine scrambling parties in stable conditions. Experienced Sierra users plan around avalanche exposure, wind-slab formation, and rapidly changing afternoon weather. The peak's appeal is isolation and technical challenge, not convenience. Parking is limited; most approaches start from Tioga Road pullouts or remote trailheads. Water sources depend on snowmelt and are seasonal. Bring a headlamp for early starts; morning calm is essential for safety and enjoyment. Afternoon wind makes descents harder and more dangerous.
Nearby alternatives include higher peaks along the Sierra crest accessible from the same Highway 120 corridor. Mount Dana, Mount Gibbs, and other crests offer similar elevation and alpine character with marginally better-established approach trails. The Lee Vining Canyon area to the east provides lower-elevation options for when Arnot Peak conditions are marginal. Winter climbers often pair Arnot Peak with adjacent high peaks to maximize a single access trip. The Mono Basin immediately east offers contrast; it is drier, warmer, and less snow-laden.