Echo Peak #2.5
Peak · 10,918 ft · Yosemite corridor
Echo Peak #2.5 is a 10,918-foot alpine summit in the Yosemite corridor of California's high Sierra. A wind-exposed peak best visited on calm mornings before afternoon gusts develop.
Wind dominates the site. The 30-day average sits at 12 mph, but afternoon thermals and slope-induced flow can push gusts to 33 mph by mid-day. Early mornings are calm and stable; plan to be off the peak by early afternoon. Snowpack remains the primary hazard through spring.
Over the past month, Echo Peak #2.5 has averaged a NoGo Score of 32.0 with temperatures around 24 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 12 mph; gusts have touched 33 mph on the worst days. The week ahead will show whether late-spring warming and wind patterns persist or break. Watch the temperature trend closely; warmer days typically bring stronger afternoon wind and faster-moving weather systems.
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About Echo Peak #2.5
Echo Peak #2.5 sits at 10,918 feet in the high Sierra above the Yosemite corridor, roughly 15 miles east of Highway 120 near Tenaya Lake. The peak is reached from the Tenaya Lake day-use area via the Tenaya Lake loop trail or backcountry routes ascending the south and east faces. Access from Yosemite Valley requires either Highway 120 over Tioga Pass or the longer approach via Highway 140 and Highway 41 north. Winter conditions shut Highway 120 typically from November through May; confirm road status before driving. Parking at Tenaya Lake is limited and fills by mid-morning on weekends.
At 10,918 feet, Echo Peak #2.5 sits in the alpine transition zone where late-spring and early-fall snow remains common. The rolling 30-day average temperature of 24 degrees Fahrenheit confirms that freezing conditions persist through April and May. Wind is relentless; the 30-day average of 12 mph represents baseline afternoon flow, not morning conditions. Crowding remains light (3.0 on the rolling average), but visibility drops sharply once clouds roll in, which happens frequently in spring as warm air interacts with lingering snowpack. Late September and early October offer the most stable weather windows, with clearer skies and lower wind variability.
Echo Peak #2.5 suits climbers and peak baggers with winter mountaineering experience and avalanche awareness. The approach crosses significant avalanche terrain on the peak's south and east exposures. Spring ascents demand current snowpack assessment and an understanding of wet-slab hazard as daytime warming softens consolidated snow. Crampons and an ice axe are standard through May. Experienced parties plan early starts to clear the summit and begin descent before afternoon wind intensifies. Solo travel is not recommended; the combination of altitude, avalanche exposure, and rapid weather change requires a partner and reliable communication.
Echo Peak #2.5 is one of many high peaks accessible from the Tenaya Lake corridor. Nearby Cathedral Range summits offer similar alpine conditions but sometimes calmer wind; Cathedral Peak itself (10,911 feet) lies roughly 8 miles northwest and receives slightly higher traffic. The relative isolation of Echo Peak #2.5 and its low base popularity (0.2) mean you will encounter far fewer parties than on the main Cathedral Range loop. For parties seeking a shorter or lower-altitude alternative on windy days, the Tenaya Lake shore itself is accessible from the day-use area and offers wind protection in its coves, though the open water surface can funnel afternoon gusts violently by 2 p.m.