Mount Lyell
Mountain Sierra Nevada peak and Yosemite region landmark
Yosemite’s highest summit, Mount Lyell anchors the park’s high country and the remnant Lyell Glacier; climbers and backpackers access routes from Tuolumne Meadows.
Mount Lyell is the highest peak in Yosemite National Park, California, rising to about 13,114 feet (3,997 meters). It is located in the Sierra Nevada and is a primary high point within the park.
Hikers and mountaineers approach Mount Lyell from trailheads in the Tuolumne Meadows/Lyell Canyon area, often as part of routes on the John Muir Trail or alpine climbs. The mountain sits above the Lyell Glacier, which historically was the park’s largest glacier but has diminished significantly in recent decades.
The peak was named for the geologist Sir Charles Lyell. The area has been visited by mountaineers and surveyed by geological and glaciological researchers since the late 19th century.
Mount Lyell is located on the Sierra Nevada crest within Yosemite National Park in eastern California, accessible from the park’s Tioga Road and trails around Tuolumne Meadows.
- Highest point in Yosemite: Summit elevation about 13,114 feet (3,997 meters), the highest point within Yosemite National Park.
- Glacial significance: Site of Lyell Glacier, historically the largest glacier in Yosemite, which has shrunk substantially over the 20th and early 21st centuries.
How to Get to Mount Lyell #
Approaches to Mount Lyell start from trailheads in and around Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest. Access depends on seasonal road openings and trail conditions; consult the National Park Service or Forest Service for the latest information.
Tips for Visiting Mount Lyell #
- Use the historical mining trails for approach and context - many are now marked and give access to alpine meadows.
- Summer offers the most reliable conditions; thunderstorms form quickly in the Sierra afternoons.
- Check with local forest service offices for trail closures related to wildfire risk.
Best Time to Visit Mount Lyell #
Summer months (June-September) provide the most reliable access and safer trail conditions.
Weather & Climate near Mount Lyell #
Mount Lyell's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -15°C to 16°C. Moderate rainfall (970 mm/year).
January
January is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -14°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (160 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -14°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm).
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March
March is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -15°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm).
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April
April is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm).
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May
May is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -5°C. The driest month with just 25 mm.
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July
July is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -1°C. Light rainfall.
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August
August is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm) and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -13°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and breezy conditions.
