Mount Dana
Peak · 13,044 ft · Yosemite corridor
Mount Dana is California's easternmost Sierra peak at 13,044 feet, rising above the Mono Basin rim in the Yosemite corridor. Typically windier and colder than Yosemite Valley proper.
Wind accelerates off the Mono Basin in afternoon hours; morning calm is rare. Average wind runs 15 mph with gusts to 39 mph. Cold dominates year-round, with 30-day average near 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Afternoon heating amplifies exposure.
Over the last 30 days, Mount Dana averaged a NoGo Score of 32 with temperatures near 25 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind of 15 mph; gusts topped 39 mph. The week ahead will likely follow the same pattern of morning windows and afternoon wind ramp. Plan for hard, sustained exposure regardless of season.
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About Mount Dana
Mount Dana sits at 13,044 feet on the eastern rim of the Sierra Nevada, directly above Tioga Lake and the Mono Basin. Access is via Highway 120 from the west (Yosemite Valley, Lee Vining). The trailhead lies at Tioga Lake, roughly 30 miles east of Yosemite's valley floor. In winter and early spring, Highway 120 is frequently closed; confirm CalTrans road status before any trip. The peak marks the corridor's easternmost and most wind-exposed high elevation terrain.
Conditions at Mount Dana are harsh and consistent year-round. The 30-day average temperature sits at 25 degrees Fahrenheit with wind averaging 15 mph and maximum gusts reaching 39 mph. Snowpack persists from October through June; avalanche terrain is active on north and east-facing slopes during rapid melt or heavy precipitation. Summer (July through September) brings warmer days but afternoon wind remains dominant. Crowding is minimal, averaging 3 on the rolling 30-day metric, making this a low-traffic alpine objective. Afternoon wind and cold are the defining constraints; morning starts are mandatory for any safe approach.
Mount Dana suits climbers and hikers with high-altitude Sierra experience and winter mountaineering skills. The ascent involves snow travel, scrambling, and exposure to sustained wind; this is not a casual day hike. Parking at Tioga Lake is limited; arrive very early or expect to wait. Water is snow-fed and unreliable; carry everything. Avalanche awareness is essential in spring and after heavy snow. Experienced parties typically target early morning departures to clear wind exposure by midday. Route-finding becomes difficult in white-out or whiteout conditions; cloud ceiling often drops rapidly in afternoon.
Nearby Mount Gibbs (12,773 feet) lies immediately south and offers similar exposure with slightly lower elevation. Mono Pass (10,599 feet) to the southeast provides a lower-altitude alternative with comparable wind but less avalanche terrain. Yosemite's Cathedral Range peaks to the west (Cathedral Peak, Matthes Crest) are lower, more forested, and typically calmer. Topographic shelter is minimal on Mount Dana itself; the Mono Basin exposure is the defining feature.