Mount Dana

Mount Dana

🏔️ Overview

Mount Dana is one of the highest and most recognizable mountains in Yosemite National Park, rising along the eastern edge of the park near Tioga Pass. The summit stands on the boundary between Tuolumne and Mono counties and overlooks the dramatic transition from Yosemite’s high country to the Mono Basin.

Modern LiDAR-based measurements used by Peakbagger place Mount Dana at approximately 13,059.7 feet (3,980.6 meters). The mountain is commonly listed at the rounded elevation of 13,061 feet (3,981 meters). It is the second-highest mountain in Yosemite National Park, exceeded only by nearby Mount Lyell.

Mount Dana is particularly notable because its reddish-brown metamorphic rock contrasts sharply with the pale granite that dominates much of Yosemite. The mountain is also unusual among major Sierra Nevada summits because its standard western approach begins very high at Tioga Pass, making it relatively short in mileage despite requiring more than 3,000 feet of climbing.

The mountain was named for James Dwight Dana, one of the leading American geologists of the 19th century.

⚡ Fast Facts

Fact	Details
Continent	North America
Country	United States
State/Province	California
County/Region	Mono and Tuolumne counties
Mountain Range	Sierra Nevada
Parent Peak	Mount Lyell
Elevation	13,059.7 ft / 3,980.6 m (LiDAR-refined); commonly listed as 13,061 ft / 3,981 m
Prominence	2,458 ft / 749 m
Isolation	11.42 mi / 18.38 km
Nearest Higher Neighbor (NHN)	Mount Lyell, south-southwest
Coordinates	37.899891° N, 119.221088° W
Protected Areas	Yosemite National Park / Ansel Adams Wilderness boundary
First Recorded Ascent	June 28, 1863

📍 Location

Mount Dana rises immediately south of Tioga Pass on the eastern side of Yosemite National Park. Its summit lies on the boundary between Tuolumne County to the west and Mono County to the east.

This position also places the mountain at an important geographical divide. Yosemite National Park extends westward from the crest, while the Ansel Adams Wilderness occupies terrain to the east and southeast.

The mountain towers above Dana Meadows and lies only a short distance from Tioga Road. To the east, the land descends dramatically toward Mono Lake and the Mono Basin.

Mount Dana is part of California’s Sierra Nevada, a mountain system extending for hundreds of miles along the eastern side of the state.

Its western slopes also have hydrological importance. The Dana Fork drains Mount Dana and joins the Lyell Fork to form the upper Tuolumne River system.

📏 Elevation & Prominence

Mount Dana’s exact elevation varies slightly among published sources because different surveying methods and vertical datums have been used.

Peakbagger’s current LiDAR-refined summit measurement is:

13,059.7 feet (3,980.6 meters)

The widely published traditional figure is:

13,061 feet (3,981 meters)

For practical purposes, both figures describe the same summit, but the LiDAR-derived figure provides greater precision.

Peakbagger calculates Mount Dana’s topographic prominence at approximately 2,458 feet (749 meters) and its isolation at 11.42 miles (18.38 kilometers).

Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Lyell, located south-southwest of Mount Dana. Mount Lyell is also Mount Dana’s parent peak.

Mount Dana’s substantial prominence helps explain why it appears so dominant when viewed from Tioga Pass, Dana Meadows, and the eastern Sierra.

🪨 Geology

One of Mount Dana’s most interesting characteristics is that it is not primarily made of the light-colored granite associated with much of Yosemite.

Instead, its upper slopes consist largely of dark and reddish metamorphosed volcanic rocks.

USGS research has dated metavolcanic rocks near Mount Dana’s summit to approximately 118 million years ago, placing them in the Early Cretaceous.

These rocks existed before or during the emplacement of the enormous bodies of magma that eventually formed much of the Sierra Nevada Batholith. Heat and pressure associated with regional igneous activity altered the older volcanic material into the metamorphic rocks visible today.

Remnants of these older rocks survive along Yosemite’s eastern margin as what geologists commonly describe as roof pendants—pieces of older rock that remained above or within the younger intrusive granitic rocks.

Nearby Mount Gibbs shares a similar reddish appearance.

Glaciers later reshaped the region during repeated Ice Age advances. A small, greatly reduced ice body known as Dana Glacier occupies a cirque east of the summit. Historical photographs show that the glacier has retreated substantially since the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

🌿 Flora & Fauna

Mount Dana crosses both subalpine and alpine environments.

The lower portion of the standard route begins near Dana Meadows and Tioga Pass, where forests, meadows, and subalpine vegetation occupy relatively sheltered terrain.

Whitebark pine and other high-elevation conifers grow near the upper limits of tree growth, while meadows support a variety of wildflowers during the short Sierra summer.

Conditions become much harsher above treeline. Plants must survive:

Strong winds
Intense ultraviolet radiation
Thin and rocky soils
Long periods of snow cover
Large temperature swings
A very short growing season

One particularly notable alpine flower found around Mount Dana is sky pilot (Polemonium eximium), a purple-flowered plant adapted to rocky environments at very high elevations.

Talus fields and rocky slopes also provide habitat for American pikas and yellow-bellied marmots.

The surrounding Sierra crest contains suitable habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. NPS conservation documents specifically identify the Mount Dana–Mount Gibbs region as part of the larger high-elevation landscape important to bighorn conservation.

Wildlife sightings should never be assumed, and visitors should give all animals plenty of space.

🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes

Mount Dana is unusual among Sierra Nevada peaks exceeding 13,000 feet because its standard route begins near Tioga Pass at roughly 9,945 feet.

The most common ascent follows the mountain’s western side.

Standard West-Slope Route

Typical figures are approximately:

Distance: About 6 miles round trip
Elevation gain: Roughly 3,100 feet
Starting elevation: About 9,945 feet
Summit elevation: About 13,060 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Terrain: Trail/use path, talus, scree and rocky slopes

The route begins near the Tioga Pass entrance area and initially follows a recognizable path through high-elevation vegetation.

It is important to understand that the Mount Dana route is not an officially maintained Yosemite trail.

Above treeline, the route becomes less distinct. Multiple use paths and cairns cross increasingly rocky terrain, and hikers must choose their route carefully.

The final climb involves steep talus, scree, and boulders. Under normal dry, late-summer conditions, the standard route is generally considered a hike or easy scramble rather than a technical climb, although portions can reach Class 2 terrain depending on the exact line followed.

Snow significantly changes the difficulty. Snowfields may linger well into summer, and early-season conditions can require mountaineering judgment and equipment rather than ordinary hiking skills.

High Altitude

The comparatively short distance can make Mount Dana appear easier than it is.

Hikers begin at nearly 10,000 feet and rapidly climb above 12,000 feet before reaching the 13,000-foot summit. People arriving directly from low elevations may experience headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, or other symptoms associated with altitude.

Acclimatization can make a major difference.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Do not judge Mount Dana by mileage alone. More than 3,000 feet of climbing at very high elevation, combined with loose rock and an indistinct upper route, makes this a serious mountain hike. Carry navigation, extra clothing, food, water, and the Ten Essentials, and turn around if altitude, weather, snow, or route conditions become unsafe.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

For hikers attempting the standard route without snow-climbing equipment, mid- to late summer and early fall generally provide the most favorable conditions.

A typical hiking season is approximately:

July through September

However, Sierra Nevada snowpack varies enormously from year to year. Deep snow can persist into summer following heavy winters, while early autumn storms can quickly return winter conditions to the summit.

Access also depends on Tioga Road, which closes seasonally because of snow.

Summer hikers should be prepared for rapid weather changes. The upper mountain is completely exposed, and thunderstorms can create dangerous lightning conditions.

Cold temperatures and strong winds are possible even when conditions near Mono Lake or Yosemite’s lower elevations are warm.

Checking current National Park Service road, weather, and trail information before attempting the mountain is essential.

🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions

Mount Dana occupies an exceptionally scenic part of the central Sierra Nevada.

Mount Gibbs

Mount Gibbs rises approximately 2.5 miles south of Mount Dana and shares the same distinctive reddish metamorphic geology.

Together, Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs form a striking backdrop when viewed from Tuolumne Meadows.

Mount Lyell

Mount Lyell is Yosemite National Park’s highest mountain and Mount Dana’s nearest higher neighbor.

It lies farther south along the Sierra Nevada and is considerably more remote from a road-accessible trailhead.

Mount Conness

Mount Conness rises north-northwest of Mount Dana. At approximately 12,590 feet, it is another major summit along Yosemite’s northeastern boundary.

Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne Meadows lies west of Mount Dana along Tioga Road. The broad subalpine meadow is one of Yosemite’s most famous high-country landscapes.

Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs are prominent on the eastern skyline from portions of the meadow.

Mono Lake

To the east lies Mono Lake, an ancient saline lake occupying the Mono Basin.

The enormous elevation difference between Mount Dana’s summit and the desert basin below creates one of the most dramatic summit views in the region.

Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass provides the principal road crossing through this section of the Sierra Nevada and makes Mount Dana unusually accessible compared with many other 13,000-foot California summits.

Farther south, Mount Ritter dominates another rugged part of the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

💡 Fun Facts

Mount Dana is the second-highest mountain in Yosemite National Park, after Mount Lyell.
Peakbagger measures its summit at 13,059.7 feet, although 13,061 feet remains the commonly published elevation.
It has approximately 2,458 feet of topographic prominence.
Mount Dana is often described as the northernmost Sierra Nevada summit exceeding 13,000 feet.
Its reddish metamorphic rocks make it look noticeably different from Yosemite’s famous pale granite domes.
The mountain was named for prominent American geologist James Dwight Dana.
Members of the California Geological Survey recorded an ascent on June 28, 1863, and returned to the summit the following day.
From the summit, hikers can look thousands of feet down toward Mono Lake and the Mono Basin.
The west side of Mount Dana contributes water to the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River.
Despite its relatively short standard route, Mount Dana requires more than 3,000 feet of climbing at high altitude.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Mount Dana?

Modern LiDAR data used by Peakbagger places Mount Dana at 13,059.7 feet (3,980.6 meters). It is commonly rounded or traditionally listed as 13,061 feet.

Is Mount Dana the highest mountain in Yosemite?

No. Mount Dana is the second-highest mountain in Yosemite National Park. Mount Lyell is higher.

Where is Mount Dana?

Mount Dana is in California’s Sierra Nevada near Tioga Pass, on the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park and the Mono–Tuolumne county line.

How difficult is the Mount Dana hike?

The standard route is strenuous rather than technically difficult under favorable dry conditions. Hikers generally cover about 6 miles round trip while gaining approximately 3,100 feet.

High altitude, loose talus, route-finding and sudden weather make it significantly harder than the mileage suggests.

Is there an official trail to Mount Dana?

No. The commonly used western route is an unofficial use trail, not a maintained Yosemite National Park hiking trail. The route becomes less distinct above treeline.

Does Mount Dana require rock climbing?

The usual west-side route normally does not require technical rock climbing in dry summer conditions. Some route variations involve Class 2 scrambling and travel over loose boulders and scree.

Snow and ice can make the mountain substantially more technical.

Can beginners climb Mount Dana?

It is not an ideal first mountain hike. Although the standard route is relatively short, the rapid elevation gain, altitude, loose terrain, exposure to weather, and lack of a maintained upper trail make it better suited to hikers who already have experience with strenuous mountain terrain.

Who was Mount Dana named after?

The mountain was named for James Dwight Dana (1813–1895), an influential American geologist, mineralogist, and professor at Yale.

Who first climbed Mount Dana?

A California Geological Survey summit record states that Josiah D. Whitney, William H. Brewer, and Charles F. Hoffmann ascended the mountain on June 28, 1863, and again on June 29.

What can you see from the summit?

On clear days the summit provides extensive views across the Sierra Nevada and east over the Mono Basin. Notable features include Mono Lake, Dana Meadows, Tioga Pass, nearby Mount Gibbs, and numerous high Sierra peaks.

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