Hogan Mountain
Peak · 6,584 ft · Yosemite corridor
Hogan Mountain is a 6,584-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of the Sierra Nevada. It sits in avalanche terrain and sees light traffic year-round.
Wind averages 6 mph but can gust to 17 mph in afternoon hours. Exposure increases markedly above treeline. Morning calm is typical; by mid-afternoon, gusts accelerate off the higher ridges. Snow lingers into early summer on north slopes.
The 30-day average wind of 6 mph and NoGo score of 32 reflect spring conditions with variable avalanche hazard and rising afternoon instability. The week ahead is forecast to track near the 30-day mean temperature of 47 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind gusts reaching the rolling average maximum of 17 mph. Watch for rapid warming cycles that affect snowpack stability and crowding spikes on weekends when Highway 120 access improves.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Hogan Mountain
Hogan Mountain stands at 6,584 feet in the high Sierra east of Yosemite Valley, accessible via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 corridor from the east. The peak sits in terrain prone to wet slab and wind-slab avalanche hazard; access typically requires snowshoe or ski in winter and spring. The approach crosses avalanche paths and exposed ridgelines. Nearest gateway towns are Lee Vining to the east and Groveland to the west, each roughly 45 to 60 minutes away depending on snow and road conditions. Early-season parties should check the Sierra Avalanche Center forecast before heading uphill.
Hogan Mountain receives light baseline traffic due to its elevation and exposure. The 30-day average temperature of 47 degrees Fahrenheit and rolling 30-day wind average of 6 mph mask extreme seasonal range. Winter and early spring bring sustained snowpack; the 365-day minimum temperature of 34 degrees is typical for dawn alpinglow hours. The 365-day maximum temperature of 63 degrees peaks in late summer. Afternoons routinely see 15 to 17 mph winds. Crowding averages 3 out of 10 on the rolling 30-day scale, with spikes immediately after road openings. Smoke from lower-elevation fires occasionally blankets the peak in late summer and fall.
Hogan Mountain suits experienced mountaineers and ski mountaineers comfortable in avalanche terrain and exposed ridges. Parties approach on foot in dry season, or on skis and snowshoes from late October through early June. Plan for whiteout conditions and corniced ridges in winter. Afternoon wind and temperature swings demand early starts and descent by 2 p.m. Parking is minimal and informal; arrive before dawn on weekends or visit midweek. Snow conditions dominate the experience; corn snow cycles, wind-loaded slopes, and wet slab scenarios all occur within a single season. Carry beacon, probe, and shovel in winter and spring.
Nearby alternatives include peaks along the Tioga Pass corridor and the Cathedral Range west of Highway 120. Hogan Mountain differs from the more crowded Mono Basin climbs by offering greater solitude and slightly lower elevation. Compare wind exposure to sheltered coves on the east shore of Lake Tahoe, 80 miles north; Hogan Mountain is consistently windier and colder due to its ridgeline position and high-Sierra latitude. The 30-day maximum wind gust of 17 mph reflects typical spring afternoon behavior; parties seeking calmer conditions should plan for dawn summits or choose lower, forested alternatives in the corridor.