McCauley Hill
Peak · 3,458 ft · Yosemite corridor
McCauley Hill is a 3,458-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of the Sierra Nevada, sitting above the eastern flank of the High Country. A moderately exposed summit with avalanche terrain on approach.
Wind funnels upslope by late morning, typically 7 mph average but capable of sustained 19 mph gusts by afternoon. Temperature swings with elevation; expect 52 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Morning calm is the reliable window before wind accelerates.
The 30-day average wind of 7 mph masks afternoon acceleration to near 19 mph; the average NoGo Score sits at 32, with lows of 5 indicating occasional excellent windows. Crowding runs low at 3.0 on the NoGo scale. Watch the 7-day forecast for wind spikes and any warming trend that destabilizes remaining snowpack on avalanche-exposed slopes.
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About McCauley Hill
McCauley Hill sits at the northwestern shoulder of the Yosemite corridor, accessed via Highway 120 east from the valley or Highway 395 from the Mammoth Lakes side. The peak lies above the eastern lakes region, roughly 60 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley. Approach typically starts from the Highway 120 corridor or adjacent trailheads; parking fills on weekends but remains sparse compared to valley destinations. The summit itself is a technical scramble in summer conditions; winter access requires avalanche awareness and full sierra winter kit.
Conditions at 3,458 feet follow classic high-Sierra patterns: snow lingers into early summer, temperatures average 52 degrees Fahrenheit across a 30-day window, and wind averages 7 mph but regularly spikes to 19 mph by afternoon. The 30-day NoGo Score averages 32, with minimums near 5 indicating occasional exceptional days. Crowding remains minimal year-round at 3.0, making it far quieter than Yosemite Valley peaks. Spring and early summer see the most volatile weather; late September offers stable wind and clearer visibility. Winter access is dangerous; the peak sits on avalanche-prone terrain managed by the Sierra Avalanche Center.
McCauley Hill suits experienced scramblers and high-country trekkers seeking isolation and technical challenge without the Yosemite Valley mob. Plan around afternoon wind acceleration; head out by dawn to maximize calm conditions. The peak's low base popularity (0.2) means parking stress is absent, but also that trail conditions are rarely maintained. Winter and early spring approaches demand avalanche assessment and beacon, probe, and shovel. The low crowding score of 3.0 persists year-round, so timing is driven entirely by weather, snowpack, and your own skill level rather than traffic.
Nearby alternatives in the Yosemite corridor include the lower, more accessible peaks of the Highway 120 corridor and the less technical summits of the eastern High Country. Peaks west toward Yosemite Valley face greater crowds and arrive warmer. The McCauley Hill approach is best paired with other 3,000 to 3,500-foot traverses in the same drainage; solo visitors should cache water and plan turnaround times conservatively given the remote exposure.