Crocker Point
Peak · 7,103 ft · Yosemite corridor
Crocker Point is a 7,103-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Winter and spring approach via avalanche terrain; summer and fall offer alpine views with moderate wind exposure.
Wind funnels across the ridgeline in afternoon hours; mornings are significantly calmer. Temperatures range from 19 degrees in winter to 53 degrees in summer. Avalanche terrain dominates the approach in winter and early spring when snowpack is present. Wind gusts peak around 20 mph on exposed days.
Over the last 30 days, Crocker Point averaged a NoGo Score of 32 with an average wind of 8 mph and temperature of 36 degrees. The week ahead shows typical spring conditions: watch for afternoon wind acceleration and crowding spikes on weekends following Highway 120 access improvements. Avalanche hazard remains the primary seasonal constraint through late spring.
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About Crocker Point
Crocker Point sits at 7,103 feet on a high-Sierra ridgeline within the Yosemite corridor, roughly 15 road miles east of Yosemite Valley. Access is via Highway 120 from the west (Yosemite Village approach) or Highway 395 from the east (Mono Basin approach); Highway 120 remains the primary corridor. The peak sits on avalanche terrain; winter and spring ascents require careful snowpack assessment and awareness of wet-slab risk as temperatures rise above freezing.
Conditions at Crocker Point follow a strong seasonal rhythm tied to snowpack and diurnal wind patterns. Winter temperatures average 19 to 36 degrees with significant avalanche exposure above 7,000 feet. Spring brings thaw and increased wet-slab danger through late May. Summer and fall (late June through October) feature temperatures ranging 36 to 53 degrees, lighter overnight winds, and afternoon wind acceleration to 8 to 20 mph. Crowding remains low year-round (average 3.0 on a 10-point scale) relative to valley destinations, but weekend traffic increases after Highway 120 opens.
Crocker Point suits experienced mountaineers and climbers comfortable with exposed ridges and avalanche assessment. Day hikers and casual visitors should plan for steep, talus-heavy terrain and sudden afternoon wind. Summer and early fall are safest for foot traffic; spring ascents demand avalanche education and a focused approach. Parking near the trailhead can fill on clear weekends; arrive early morning or plan a weekday visit. Bring windproof layers; afternoon conditions deteriorate rapidly.
Nearby alternatives include peaks and passes across the Yosemite-to-Mono corridor. Cathedral Range peaks offer similar elevation and alpine exposure with comparable wind and avalanche terrain. Tioga Pass (Highway 120) provides access to higher desert plateaus east of the Sierra crest, typically calmer but more exposed. For lower-elevation alternatives with less avalanche risk, consider the ridge approach from Tenaya Lake or traverses along the Cathedral Lakes trail system, which trade elevation for snowpack stability.