Bacon Hill
Peak · 629 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Bacon Hill rises 629 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of the Sierra Nevada's foothills. A low, exposed peak with avalanche terrain, it sits sheltered from the lake basin to the east.
Wind channels through the drainage consistently; afternoon gusts are the rule rather than exception. The 30-day average wind is 7 mph, but peaks reach 16 mph by mid-day. Morning hours are calmer. Winter snowpack creates avalanche loading on steeper aspects; assess slope stability before ascending.
Over the last 30 days, Bacon Hill has averaged a NoGo Score of 35, with wind ranging 7 mph on average to peaks of 16 mph. Temperatures have held around 61 degrees Fahrenheit and crowding remains minimal at 2.0. The week ahead is expected to continue this pattern of moderate morning conditions deteriorating into afternoon wind. Watch for rapid heating and the funneling effect that kicks in after 11 am.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Bacon Hill
Bacon Hill sits at the northern edge of the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor, approximately 9 miles south of Highway 180 and east of the main Sierra crest. Access is from the Grant Grove area or via Highway 180 from Fresno to the west. The peak itself occupies low-elevation Sierra foothills terrain, making it accessible year-round when other higher-elevation routes remain locked by snow. Elevation of 629 feet places it well below the winter freeze line, yet the surrounding drainage and proximity to higher terrain mean avalanche activity on adjacent slopes is a consideration during snowpack season.
The location experiences a long growing season with temperatures ranging from a 365-day minimum of 49 degrees Fahrenheit to a maximum of 81 degrees. April conditions average 61 degrees with moderate wind. Crowding is consistently low, averaging 2.0 on the rolling scale; this is not a destination that draws weekend hordes. Wind is the dominant variable, averaging 7 mph but capable of gusting to 16 mph, typically worst in the afternoon as solar heating destabilizes the lower atmosphere and pressure gradients sharpen across the foothills. Spring and early summer are the most stable seasons; late summer and fall bring erratic wind patterns driven by thermal circulation.
Bacon Hill suits hikers, scramamblers, and winter-season observers looking for accessible Sierra foothills views without committing to high-altitude terrain. The low base popularity of 0.2 means parking and trail congestion are not concerns. Experienced visitors plan around afternoon wind and schedule ascents for morning hours. Winter visitors should carry avalanche rescue gear and a shovel if traveling into adjacent terrain where slab instability is a risk. The peak's low elevation makes it a fallback destination when higher routes (Moro Rock, Panther Peak, nearby sequoia groves) are closed by snow or when afternoon conditions forecast too-heavy wind.
Nearby alternatives include the Grant Grove area and various lower-elevation trails through the Kings River drainage. Bacon Hill's primary advantage is its open, windswept character and minimal crowding; visitors seeking shelter and old-growth forest coverage should head higher into the sequoia ecosystem or west toward the main crest. The peak's exposure to afternoon wind makes it unsuitable for novice scramblers or those unfamiliar with reading slope stability; anchor your route planning to morning departures and a clear exit strategy if conditions deteriorate.