Bobcat Point
Peak · 6,689 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Bobcat Point is a 6689-foot peak in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, sitting above glacial terrain with avalanche exposure on its approach.
Wind averages 5 mph but gusts to 18 mph in afternoon thermals. Cold settles here: the 30-day mean is 42 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping to 23 degrees in winter. Approach is steep and north-facing; snowpack stability and rime ice are persistent concerns from November through May.
Over the last 30 days, Bobcat Point averaged a NoGo Score of 36 with wind running 5 mph on average and peaks of 18 mph. Crowding remains light at 2.0 on the index. The week ahead will track typical spring conditions for this elevation: watch for afternoon wind acceleration and lingering snow patches on the approach.
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About Bobcat Point
Bobcat Point rises at 6689 feet in the high Sierra, roughly 40 to 50 miles east of Highway 180 near Hume Lake and Sequoia's western gate. The peak sits within avalanche terrain characteristic of the Kings Canyon drainage; access from the west involves climbing through steep, snow-prone gullies and exposed ridgeline. Winter and spring approach routes cross active snow-slab terrain. The base popularity score of 0.2 reflects its isolation: few casual day-hikers summit Bobcat Point compared to the Giant Sequoia or High Sierra camps closer to the valley floor.
Bobcat Point's weather is driven by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average temperature of 42 degrees Fahrenheit and rolling-year minimum of 23 degrees mean snow persists well into late spring and returns by October. Wind averages 5 mph but gusty afternoons are common; the 30-day max gust of 18 mph can accelerate to 25 mph on exposed ridgelines. Crowding stays thin year-round, peaking in late September and early October when the high country dries out. Spring turnout is brief and weather-dependent; summer is brief and warm by high-Sierra standards. Autumn brings stable conditions but afternoon wind.
Bobcat Point suits experienced mountaineers comfortable with avalanche terrain and self-rescue on steep snow. Parties typically aim for early morning starts to avoid afternoon wind and to cross slope hazards while snow is firm. Winter and spring ascents require current avalanche education and beacon, probe, and shovel; check the ESAC avalanche center for daily forecasts. Parking is limited and accessed from Highway 180; allow full daylight for approach and descent. Many climbers pair a Bobcat Point summit with camps or passes in the Kettle Dome or Tenaya Lake area to the north.
Nearby peaks like Mount Woodworth and the Kettle Dome offer similar elevation and snowpack dynamics but slightly better trailed access from the valley side. The contrast is stark: Bobcat Point is steeper, more remote, and more avalanche-prone than the High Sierra Camps loop to the west. Visitors comfortable with sustained snow and rockfall risk but seeking solitude over crowding will find Bobcat Point rewards the effort.