Medlicott Dome
Peak · 9,878 ft · Yosemite corridor
Medlicott Dome is a 9,878-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Moderate elevation and avalanche terrain make it a spring and early-summer objective for experienced alpinists.
Wind averages 8 mph but gusts to 30 mph in afternoon funnels off the lake basin to the east. Temperatures hover around 30 degrees Fahrenheit on the rolling 30-day average. Mornings stay calm; expect wind pickup by mid-afternoon. Snowpack persists through late spring.
The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks afternoon accelerations typical for the high Sierra east of the crest. Temperatures average 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight lows well below freezing. The week ahead will show whether crowding picks up as Highway 120 opens fully and snowpack retreats at lower elevations. Watch the wind and temperature trend closely; both drive avalanche behavior and route safety.
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About Medlicott Dome
Medlicott Dome sits at 9,878 feet in the Yosemite corridor, on the eastern rim of the Sierra Nevada. Access is via Highway 120 from Lee Vining or Yosemite Valley; the approach typically starts from the Highway 120 corridor near Tioga Lake or June Lake. This is true high-Sierra terrain. Base popularity is low (0.2), so trails are lightly tracked. Avalanche terrain is significant; consult the Sierrac Avalanche Center before a spring or early-summer ascent. The dome sits above glacially-carved lakes and drainages that funnel wind and concentrate snowmelt runoff.
Spring and early summer are the primary seasons here. Temperatures on the 30-day average sit at 30 degrees Fahrenheit; overnight lows dip well below freezing, and the 365-day record high reaches only 45 degrees. Crowding averages 3 on the rolling 30-day metric, reflecting the low base popularity and technical nature of the approach. Wind is the dominant variable: the 30-day average is 8 mph, but gusts spike to 30 mph, often in afternoon surges. Late September and early October see lower wind, thinner crowds, and better snow stability as the season closes. Mid-summer brings wind and exposure; avoid high-wind forecasts.
Medlicott Dome suits experienced mountaineers and ski mountaineers with solid avalanche literacy and glacier travel skills. Summer ascents target stable snow and moderate-wind windows. Spring and early-summer visitors must account for unstable slabs, wind-slab formation, and rapid snowmelt that can expose hidden runoff hazards. Parking near the Highway 120 corridor fills quickly on weekends after the pass opens. Afternoon wind rules out casual ascents; plan for an early start and descent by early afternoon. Crowding is rarely an issue, but weather and snow conditions are the real constraints.
June Lake and Tioga Lake sit immediately west and south; both offer alpine lake views and lower-elevation alternatives if Medlicott Dome's wind or avalanche hazard is too high on the day. The Yosemite corridor's other high peaks (such as those above Tuolumne Meadows) are more heavily tracked but share similar wind and avalanche patterns. If Medlicott Dome conditions are marginal, scout the lower-elevation drainages around Tioga Lake or defer to the fall, when wind and crowding both drop and snow stability improves.