McCreary Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
McCreary Trailhead sits at 6,801 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra. A lightly-used access point to alpine meadows and ridgelines, it runs calmer than major valley trailheads.
Morning calm gives way to afternoon wind funneling through the drainage. Temperatures swing sharply between sun and shade. Crowding stays low; parking fills only during holiday weekends. Wind peaks in early afternoon and subsides by dusk.
The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks afternoon spikes to 19 mph. The 30-day average temperature of 36 degrees F means frozen trails persist into spring. Expect the next week to track the same pattern: calm dawn, building afternoon gusts, and light crowds. Check the chart for daily swings.
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About McCreary Trailhead
McCreary Trailhead lies on the east side of the high Sierra crest, roughly 45 minutes north of Yosemite Valley via Highway 120. The trailhead accesses alpine meadows and routes toward Cathedral Range peaks. A small parking area sits just off the main highway; arrival by mid-morning secures reliable parking. The nearest fuel and supply is Lee Vining, 90 minutes east over Tioga Pass. Access closes seasonally when Highway 120 is snow-blocked; open mid-May through mid-November in typical years.
Spring and early summer see the trailhead emerge from snowpack, with south-facing slopes clearing first. The 365-day max temperature of 53 degrees F peaks in late summer; winter minima drop to 21 degrees F. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph reflects calm mornings and afternoon gusts driven by the lake-to-ridge circulation. Crowding averages 13 over the rolling 30 days and spikes only when Highway 120 first opens or during consecutive sunny weekends. Elevation-driven cold means frost persists on exposed terrain through June.
McCreary suits ridge walkers, peak baggers, and backcountry skiers in early season. Day hikers favor the place because of low crowds and straightforward alpine routes. Experienced visitors time arrival for dawn light to dodge afternoon wind, which makes exposed ridges unfriendly by 2 p.m. Parking is reliable; no permit system gates access. Bring layers; the 30-day average of 36 degrees F and rapid cooling after sunset demand insulation even on mild days. Snowpack lingers above 7,500 feet into June.
Cathedral Peak and surrounding ridges lie within an hour of the trailhead. Tioga Lake and nearby alpine lakes offer alternative access to the same drainage. Lee Vining Creek canyon provides lower-elevation descents for skiers. The trailhead sits 15 minutes north of the Tenaya Lake corridor and 30 minutes south of Highway 120's highest pass. Tioga Road conditions and seasonal closure dates drive all spring planning.