Soda Cone
Peak · 7,608 ft · Yosemite corridor
Soda Cone, a 7,608-foot peak in Yosemite's high Sierra, commands views across the Mono Basin. Wind-exposed and snow-laden most of the year, it rewards calm mornings.
Wind dominates here. Afternoon gusts funnel off the eastern exposure by mid-day, often pushing sustained speeds into the teens. Morning windows (before 10 a.m.) are markedly calmer. Winter through spring, avalanche terrain on the approach requires careful snowpack assessment.
Over the last 30 days, Soda Cone has averaged a NoGo Score of 33 with winds around 10 mph, though gusts have peaked at 28 mph. Temperatures have hovered near 35 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead typically sees afternoon wind pickup; early starts are critical for reliable conditions.
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About Soda Cone
Soda Cone sits northeast of Tenaya Lake in the high-Sierra corridor between Yosemite Valley and the Tioga Pass entrance. Access via Highway 120 (Tioga Road) is the primary route; the peak lies roughly 2 hours northeast of the Valley. The mountain straddles avalanche terrain; approach routes cross snow-fed drainages that slide during rapid melt or heavy precipitation. At 7,608 feet, it sits above most valley shelter and fully exposed to Sierra winds.
Year-round, Soda Cone is cool and windy. The 30-day average wind of 10 mph masks afternoon acceleration; mornings stay calmer but often frozen until mid-spring. Temperatures oscillate between a winter floor around 17 degrees Fahrenheit and a summer high near 53 degrees Fahrenheit across the rolling 365-day record. Crowding remains light (average 3 on a scale of 10), reflecting the peak's remoteness and technical approach. Reliable access depends on Highway 120 snow clearance; Tioga Road typically opens late April.
Soda Cone suits experienced mountaineers and scramblers who plan around avalanche risk and wind exposure. Early departure is mandatory; afternoon conditions become unreliable. Winter and spring visitors must monitor snowpack stability through the Sacramento Avalanche Center and understand slab hazard on the approach. The low crowding (3 out of 10) means solitude, not ease; do not attempt during high-wind days or during active precipitation. Experienced parties pair it with Tenaya Lake visits or the Mono Basin corridor loop.
Nearby peaks in the same wind corridor include Cathedral Peak and Cockscomb, both subject to similar afternoon acceleration. Tenaya Lake, just west, offers an easier weather-assessment opportunity; if afternoon wind is picking up there, Soda Cone will be worse. The Tioga Road corridor as a whole opens later than Highway 395 routes to the east, making spring reconnaissance harder. Plan visits in stable spells between late April and early June, or September through early October when snow has cleared but fall storms remain infrequent.