Emeric Dome
Peak · 9,671 ft · Yosemite corridor
Emeric Dome is a 9671-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, sitting high and exposed on the crest between the Tuolumne and Merced watersheds. A technical scramble with avalanche terrain requiring winter caution.
Wind accelerates across the exposed ridgeline by mid-afternoon, funneling off the high Sierra crest. Mornings are calmer but temperatures remain well below freezing through spring. Snow persists on north faces into early summer; wet-slab risk peaks in afternoon warmth.
Over the last 30 days, Emeric Dome has averaged a NoGo Score of 32.0 with an average wind of 12.0 mph, typical for this high-elevation Sierra crest location. Temperatures have hovered near 24.0 degrees Fahrenheit on average, with gusts reaching 33.0 mph. The week ahead follows the same pattern: expect calm early hours before wind picks up by midday, and plan around persistent snowpack on north-facing slopes.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Emeric Dome
Emeric Dome sits at 9671 feet along the high Sierra crest in the Yosemite corridor, roughly 30 to 40 minutes northeast of Tuolumne Meadows via Highway 120. Access is typically from the Cathedral Lakes trailhead or via cross-country travel from nearby Tenaya Lake. The peak itself is a boulder scramble on exposed granite; the approach requires navigating talus and occasional snow bridges depending on season. The Merced River drainage lies to the west; the Tuolumne drainage to the east. Winter and spring routes demand familiarity with avalanche terrain assessment because north-facing gullies shed slabs during freeze-thaw cycles.
Emeric Dome sits in the cold, wind-prone band of the Sierra crest. The 30-day average temperature of 24.0 degrees Fahrenheit reflects spring conditions at this elevation; overnight lows regularly drop into single digits. Wind is the dominant hazard: the 30-day rolling average stands at 12.0 mph, but gusts exceed 30 mph regularly as air funnels off the crest. Crowding remains minimal (3.0 average on the rolling 30-day scale) because access requires off-trail navigation and high technical aptitude. Snowpack lingers through spring; wet-slab avalanche potential peaks in early afternoon when solar radiation destabilizes steep slopes. By late summer, snow recedes and afternoon thunderstorms become the primary weather threat.
Emeric Dome suits experienced peakbaggers, backcountry skiers, and scramble specialists willing to navigate loose terrain and avalanche-prone slopes. The approach is not a marked trail; route-finding requires map and compass or GPS. Summer visitors can expect mostly dry rock and talus with lingering patches of snow in shaded gullies. Winter and spring visitors should carry a probe, shovel, and avalanche transceiver; descend before 1 p.m. to avoid afternoon wind gusts and wet-slab conditions. Parking at Tuolumne Meadows fills early on weekends; arriving before sunrise is common practice. The peak is best suited for multi-day backpacking loops rather than a day trip from the valley.
Nearby Cathedral Lakes offer an easier alternative approach to the crest without climbing to Emeric Dome itself. Tenaya Lake, 10 minutes west, provides a lower-elevation wind shelter and is far less exposed. Climbers targeting the Cathedral Lakes area often include Emeric Dome as an optional scramble if weather and snow conditions permit. The Tuolumne Meadows corridor opens late, typically around the first week after Highway 120 reopens from winter closure; check CalTrans conditions before committing to a trip.