Post Peak
Peak · 11,003 ft · Yosemite corridor
Post Peak rises to 11,003 feet in the high Sierra east of Yosemite Valley. A serious alpine destination with avalanche terrain and sustained wind exposure.
Wind dominates above 10,000 feet; gusts reach 30 mph on exposed ridges. Morning hours are calmer and clearer. Afternoon brings cloud buildup and stronger flow off the Sierra crest. Snowpack stability is critical in spring and early summer.
The 30-day average wind of 9 mph masks afternoon peak gusts well above that threshold. Temperatures average 26 degrees Fahrenheit over the past month; expect the coldest days on windy afternoons when wind chill drops rapidly. The week ahead will show whether spring warming is tracking normal for the Yosemite high country or delayed by lingering snow.
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About Post Peak
Post Peak sits on the Sierra crest in the Yosemite corridor, roughly 15 miles east of Yosemite Valley. The summit elevation of 11,003 feet puts it firmly in alpine terrain with permanent snowpack into early summer. Highway 120 through Tioga Pass provides the main eastern approach; from the west, Yosemite Valley serves as the primary staging point. The peak is typically accessed as part of a multi-day Sierra traverse or as a scramble from higher passes; it is not a roadside turnout.
Post Peak experiences dramatic seasonal swings. Winter brings heavy snow, sustained high wind, and avalanche hazard on steep aspects; the 30-day average temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit reflects late-spring conditions when snow is still deep. Summer (July to mid-September) offers the widest stable-weather window, with temperatures rising above 30 degrees Fahrenheit and wind patterns more predictable. By October, early storms return. Crowding remains light year-round; the location is remote enough to filter casual visitors, and most traffic occurs during the 8 to 10 week summer window.
Post Peak is a destination for experienced mountaineers, ski mountaineers, and high-elevation trekkers comfortable with avalanche terrain and rapid weather change. The 30-day maximum wind of 30 mph reflects typical afternoon gusts on exposed ridges; wind chill on windy mornings below freezing is routine. Parties should expect microwave snow conditions (wind-crusted, variable stability) in spring and softer snow in early summer. Water sources are snowmelt-dependent; cached snow or a reliable spring drainage is essential. Winter and early-spring attempts require formal avalanche education and beacon, probe, and shovel discipline.
Nearby peaks in the Cathedral Range (Echo Peak, Cathedral Peak, Matthes Crest) lie within 5 to 10 miles and offer similar exposure and alpine character. The Yosemite high country between Tenaya Lake and Mono Basin presents dozens of equivalent summits; Post Peak's modest base popularity (0.2) reflects its position as one of many remote Sierra destinations rather than a standout draw. Climbers and ski mountaineers planning the Yosemite corridor often use Post Peak as a leg of a longer traverse connecting Highway 120 passes and the Cathedral Range.