Mount DanaAbout Mount Dana
Mount Dana is a prominent peak on the eastern side of Yosemite National Park in California, located just west of Tioga Pass. It is one of the park’s highest summits and is known for its alpine character.
Hikers typically approach from the Tioga Road trailhead and cross high-elevation meadows and talus slopes to reach the summit, which offers broad views of Yosemite’s high country and the eastern Sierra. The subalpine and alpine flora are a major attraction during the short summer season.
The peak was named for the 19th-century geologist James Dwight Dana and has been part of Yosemite National Park’s mapped and recreational mountain terrain since the park’s early history. The area shows glacially sculpted landforms and alpine ecological zones.
Mount Dana rises just west of the Sierra crest at Tioga Pass on the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park, within the high-elevation zone of central California.
- Elevation and access: Elevation is 13,061 feet (3,981 meters) and the summit is commonly accessed on a day hike from the Tioga Pass/Tioga Road area in late summer when snow has melted.
- Name and setting: Named for geologist James Dwight Dana, the mountain overlooks high-elevation meadows and alpine terrain and provides views into the eastern Sierra and toward Yosemite’s high country.
What to See#
- Dana Meadows: Dana Meadows - alpine meadows on the eastern side of Tioga Pass that form the typical starting area for the standard hike to the mountain’s summit.
- Trailhead and approach: Tioga Road approach and trailhead - the trail to the summit begins near the Tioga Pass road and is commonly done as a day hike from that high-elevation starting point.
Best Time to Visit Mount Dana
The best time is July through October when Tioga Road is open and summit trails are mostly free of snow.
Weather & Climate near Mount Dana
Mount Dana's climate is classified as Subarctic (Dry Summer) - Subarctic (Dry Summer) climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -14°C to 16°C. Moderate rainfall (927 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -13° - 0° | -14° | 148 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -14° - -1° | -15° | 121 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -14° - -2° | -16° | 118 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -12° - -1° | -14° | 70 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -9° - 2° | -9° | 35 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | -5° - 8° | -3° | 25 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 0° - 15° | 4° | 28 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 2° - 16° | 6° | 32 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -1° - 13° | 3° | 36 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -5° - 9° | -3° | 52 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -9° - 3° | -9° | 126 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -12° - 1° | -13° | 136 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Mount Dana
Drive Tioga Road (California State Route 120) from Lee Vining or the Yosemite Valley when the road is open (seasonal). The typical trailhead is at Dana Meadows or the Tioga Pass parking area; Tioga Road is usually open from late spring through autumn depending on snow conditions.
Tips for Visiting Mount Dana
- Tioga Road (the approach) is seasonal - check NPS updates for opening dates (usually late May-November depending on snow).
- Start hikes from the Tioga Pass parking area early to avoid afternoon storms and to get clear summit views.
- Bring layers: summit winds can be biting even on warm valley days.