Elbow Hill
Peak · 9,274 ft · Yosemite corridor
Elbow Hill is a 9,274-foot Sierra Nevada peak in the Yosemite corridor, sitting in high-elevation terrain prone to wind and avalanche exposure. Access via Highway 120 and Tioga Pass.
Elbow Hill faces consistent afternoon wind funneling off adjacent drainages; mornings are calmer. Temperature swings are extreme at this elevation, ranging from 14 degrees to 41 degrees across the year. Snowpack and avalanche risk drive winter and spring approach decisions.
Over the past 30 days, Elbow Hill averaged a NoGo Score of 31 with winds at 10 mph and temperatures around 27 degrees. The high-wind threshold was hit at 30 mph; expect similar variability in the week ahead. Plan early-morning windows and avoid the afternoon.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Elbow Hill
Elbow Hill sits at 9,274 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, accessed primarily via Highway 120 approaching Tioga Pass. The peak occupies high-elevation terrain with avalanche-prone slopes and sparse sheltered approach routes. Most traffic comes from visitors staging in or near Yosemite Valley or the Eastern Sierra gateway towns. The peak's remoteness and avalanche terrain keep base popularity low; solitude is the norm even during busy weekends.
Winter and early spring bring persistent snowpack and avalanche hazard; the Shasta Avalanche Center covers this zone. Temperature ranges from 14 degrees in the deepest winter to 41 degrees in late summer, making the 30-day average of 27 degrees a mid-spring to early-fall snapshot. Wind is the dominant seasonal signature; the 30-day average of 10 mph masks afternoon gusts that spike to 30 mph on unstable air-mass days. Crowding averages 3 out of 10, rarely climbing higher except immediately after Highway 120 opens.
Elbow Hill suits experienced mountaineers and winter climbers comfortable with avalanche terrain and exposed ridges. Approach planning hinges on snowpack stability and wind direction; north-facing slopes hold snow longer and steeper. Solo travel is common but raises self-rescue complexity in bad conditions. Parking is minimal and informal; arrive early on clear-weather weekends or plan for a multi-day backcountry push. The peak is not a popular day-hike destination; most visitors are ski-touring or climbing parties staging from the Tioga Road corridor.
Nearby peaks in the Yosemite corridor include Mono Pass and the Cathedral Range; each sits on different snowmelt schedules and wind exposures. The Eastern Sierra side of the crest is windier and drier than the western Yosemite side. Elbow Hill's position on the ridgeline makes it a natural waypoint for traverses rather than a standalone objective. Check the Shasta Avalanche Center bulletin before any winter or spring approach; instability at this elevation is sudden and deadly.