Mount Olsen
Peak · 11,049 ft · Yosemite corridor
Mount Olsen is an 11,049-foot Sierra Nevada peak in the Yosemite corridor, positioned above the transition zone where afternoon wind intensifies. Sit higher and calmer than valley floors, colder than low passes.
Wind funnel increases from morning calm to afternoon gusts; the 30-day average holds at 15 mph, with peaks near 39 mph. Expect it to arrive between noon and 2 p.m. on clear days. Temperatures at 11,000 feet remain below freezing most of the year; snow persists into late spring on north-facing slopes.
The 30-day average wind of 15 mph and average temperature of 25 degrees Fahrenheit anchor conditions here; the 30-day minimum score of 6 shows that calm windows arrive, but they are brief. The week ahead reflects the seasonal tightening of weather windows. Head early if you plan to summit; the afternoon shift trades solitude and light wind for reliable descent daylight.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Mount Olsen
Mount Olsen sits in the high Sierra east of Yosemite Valley, in a terrain of granite ridges and glacial lakes drained by creeks feeding the Tuolumne and Merced systems. Access from Tuolumne Meadows via Highway 120 is the primary route; drive time from Merced is approximately three hours. The peak stands in avalanche terrain; check the Sierra Avalanche Center advisory before winter and spring approaches. Early-season ascents intersect steep snow faces and corniced ridges; boot-pack or crampons are standard from late fall through early summer. The location is a secondary peak rather than a destination highway landmark, with base popularity around 0.2, meaning fewer parties and parking pressure than major Yosemite trailheads.
Conditions at 11,049 feet place Mount Olsen above the morning thermal wind layer that dominates lower valleys. The 30-day rolling average of 15 mph wind is significantly higher than adjacent meadows; sustained gusts reaching 39 mph are typical in the rolling 30 and 365-day windows, especially on ridges and exposed traverse. Temperature averages 25 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 30 days, with extremes ranging from 8 degrees in winter to 40 degrees in summer across the full year. Snowpack typically lingers into late spring; north-facing slopes hold névé through early summer. Crowding registers low at 3.0 on the 30-day average, reflecting the peak's position off the main Tuolumne corridor. Mornings offer the quietest, calmest window; afternoon wind and thermal updraft make the peak less pleasant by 2 p.m.
Mount Olsen suits experienced Sierra hikers, climbers comfortable with exposed ridge traversal, and winter mountaineers with avalanche knowledge. Spring ascents demand snow discipline; the SAC advisory is mandatory reading. Parking is rarely contested. Water is reliable from snowmelt and high-country streams, but filter or treat all sources. The exposed summit ridge and high wind exposure mean weather windows close rapidly; marginal mornings become impossible by early afternoon. Bring layers and windproof shell regardless of forecast. Experienced parties plan for an early start and aim to descend before 4 p.m. to avoid afternoon downdrafts and thermal turbulence.
Nearby Mount Dana (13,057 feet) and Mount Gibbs (12,622 feet) lie on the same crest and share similar wind and snow behavior; they offer higher elevation and more established traffic if you seek a longer Sierra day. Tuolumne Meadows proper lies to the west and is significantly warmer and less exposed. The Mono Basin side of the crest experiences higher wind exposure and steeper avalanche pitches; Mount Olsen's west-facing slopes are more forgiving for descent. Highway 120 closure in winter eliminates access for approximately four months; confirm seasonal opening status before committing.