Dore Pass
Peak · 11,289 ft · Yosemite corridor
Dore Pass is an 11,289-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, straddling the crest between Tenaya Lake and Mono Basin. Wind-exposed terrain with avalanche hazard in winter.
Wind averages 15 mph across the rolling 30-day window, with gusts to 30 mph in afternoon hours. Exposure is relentless; the peak funnels Sierra crosswinds and offers minimal shelter. Temperature hovers around 25 degrees Fahrenheit in the current 30-day span. Conditions worsen after midday.
Over the past 30 days, Dore Pass has averaged a NoGo Score of 31.0 with wind holding at 15 mph and temperature near 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The 30-day range spans from a low score of 6.0 to a high of 50.0, marking high volatility. Watch the next seven days for wind spikes and temperature swings typical of high-altitude Sierra passes in spring; calm dawns are your window to move fast.
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About Dore Pass
Dore Pass sits at 11,289 feet on the Sierra crest between the Tenaya Lake drainage to the west and Mono Basin to the east. Access is via Highway 120 through Yosemite National Park; the pass lies roughly 30 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley. The primary approach is from the Tenaya Lake trailhead. This is a high Sierra pass, not a casual summit, and winter closure is typical. The location sits within the jurisdiction of the Sierra Avalanche Center and carries avalanche terrain; snowpack assessment is mandatory before any winter or spring approach.
Conditions at Dore Pass are hostile year-round for exposed travel. The 30-day average wind of 15 mph understates the typical afternoon wind surge; gusts to 30 mph are documented in the rolling 365-day maximum. Temperature averages 25 degrees Fahrenheit across the recent 30-day window, with the 365-day range spanning 10 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit. This elevation guarantees subzero nights in winter and brief summer windows. Crowding remains light, with a 30-day average of 3.0, reflecting the pass's remoteness and technical access. Snow closes the Sierra crest for much of the year; late September through early October marks the primary window after summer melt and before early-season storms.
Dore Pass suits experienced high-altitude hikers and cross-country skiers comfortable with map-and-compass navigation and untracked terrain. Spring ascents require avalanche awareness; late-season corn snow turns to sastrugi by afternoon. Summer ascents are wind-exposed and exposed to sudden weather. Parking at Tenaya Lake trailhead fills quickly on weekends; arrive before first light. Pack for extreme cold and wind; the peak is above treeline for the entire approach. Afternoon wind is predictable; plan to summit and descend before midday if conditions permit.
Nearby alternatives within the Yosemite corridor include Cathedral Peak (10,911 feet) to the southwest, which offers slightly lower elevation and slightly better afternoon shelter in its cirque. Mammoth Peak and other Mono Basin summits to the northeast are similarly exposed. For a less technical Sierra crossing, Highway 395 near Lee Vining provides lower-altitude routes with similar views of the crest but less avalanche hazard. Dore Pass remains the most direct crest crossing for Yosemite-to-Mono travel and attracts experienced backcountry users planning high-altitude traverses.