Schofield Peak
Peak · 9,924 ft · Yosemite corridor
Schofield Peak stands at 9,924 feet in the Yosemite corridor of the Sierra Nevada, a high-elevation destination on the eastern spine of the range. Wind-exposed and snow-dependent, it demands autumn or early summer visits.
Schofield Peak sits fully exposed on the crest; wind accelerates over open terrain and peaks mid-afternoon. Morning calm is rare and brief. Temperature swings 25+ degrees between sun and shade. Snow lingers into early summer and returns by October; timing is everything.
Over the last 30 days, Schofield Peak averaged a NoGo Score of 33 with wind running 10 mph and temperatures at 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Maximum wind gusts touched 28 mph. Plan around afternoon wind acceleration and snow stability; the trend chart below shows daily scores, wind, temperature, and crowding for the past month and seven days ahead.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Schofield Peak
Schofield Peak occupies a high-elevation perch in the Yosemite corridor, roughly 35 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley via Highway 120. Access requires either a multi-day backpack from the Tioga Pass entrance or a vehicle approach via Highway 395 to the eastern Sierra. The peak sits above 9,900 feet and commands views of the Cathedral Range to the west and the White Mountains to the east. Approach via established backcountry routes; no maintained trail leads directly to the summit. The nearest supply point is Lee Vining, California, 45 minutes south via Highway 395.
Winter through mid-spring, Schofield Peak sits buried under 10 to 15 feet of snow and requires avalanche training and partner awareness; the SAC avalanche center covers this zone and publishes forecasts critical to safe travel. Spring melt transforms drainage gullies and steepens wet-slab hazard. By late June, snowpack stabilizes and the peak becomes accessible to hikers comfortable with alpine scrambling and loose talus. Average temperatures through the 365-day window range from 15 degrees Fahrenheit to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, a swing that reflects the altitude and seasonal extremes. Crowding stays minimal year-round; base popularity sits at 0.2, meaning this peak sees fewer than 50 visitors monthly even in summer.
Schofield Peak suits hikers and alpinists seeking solitude and willing to navigate exposed terrain without marked trails. The exposed ridge demands respect for sudden afternoon wind; the 30-day average wind of 10 mph masks gusts to 28 mph that can arrive by 2 p.m. Scrambling difficulty increases on descent when legs tire and footing becomes critical. Plan for early starts; most ascending parties summit and break descent by early afternoon to avoid wind and fading light. Carry a headlamp and water; no reliable sources exist above 9,000 feet. The minimal crowding means you will rarely encounter other visitors, a trade-off that rewards self-sufficiency and careful route-finding.
Nearby high peaks in the Yosemite corridor include Cathedral Peak (10,911 feet, more crowded and better established) to the northwest and Mono Basin peaks to the south. Climbers comparing Schofield Peak to Cathedral Peak note that Schofield offers better views of the eastern escarpment and fewer summer hikers, but Cathedral provides more defined scrambling routes and water sources. The Cathedral Range as a whole sees peak activity in August and September when snowmelt stabilizes and high-country passes open. Visitors pursuing a remote experience choose Schofield; those seeking established scrambling and trail infrastructure prefer Cathedral or peaks around Tioga Pass.