Rocky Hills
Peak · 1,299 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Rocky Hills is a low-elevation peak in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of the Sierra Nevada, sitting at 1299 feet with moderate avalanche exposure and relatively stable conditions year-round.
Wind averages 8 mph across the rolling 30 days but can spike to 24 mph on exposed ridges. Afternoon thermal heating drives afternoon wind; mornings are calmer. Temperature swings from 47 to 79 degrees annually. Low crowding (2.0 average) makes this a quieter alternative to nearby high-country draws.
Over the last 30 days, Rocky Hills averaged a NoGo Score of 35 with temperatures around 59 degrees and average wind of 8 mph. The week ahead will show whether those conditions hold or shift; use the chart below to track wind spikes and crowding surges. Late April typically brings warming and afternoon wind intensification in this corridor.
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Today's score by factor
About Rocky Hills
Rocky Hills sits at 1299 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor, on the lower western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Access is via Highway 180 from Fresno (gateway to Cedar Grove) or Highway 198 from Visalia (gateway to General Sherman). The peak sits in backcountry terrain with moderate avalanche hazard; approach routes cross drainage channels that can be unstable during heavy snowmelt. Nearest trailhead parking fills slowly compared to Moro Rock or Big Trees; a Tuesday morning approach avoids weekend congestion.
Conditions at Rocky Hills are driven by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average NoGo Score of 35 reflects mixed go/no-go days; wind can hit 24 mph on exposed terrain but calms to near 8 mph in sheltered drainage bowls. Morning hours are reliably calmer than afternoons, when thermal wind funnels up from the foothills. Temperature swings from a 365-day low of 47 degrees (winter/early spring) to 79 degrees (summer peak). Spring snowmelt (late April through June) raises avalanche risk; winter approaches demand snowpack assessment via ESAC bulletins.
Rocky Hills suits hikers, scrambled runners, and peak-baggers seeking solitude without the crowds at Moro Rock or Big Trees. The low base popularity (0.2) means parking is rarely a concern and trail encounters are sparse. Plan for morning starts before thermal wind builds; expect wind and possible snow patches into late May. Avalanche-prone terrain demands awareness of current snowpack stability; check ESAC forecasts before any winter or spring approach. Summer climbing (late June through August) sees the most stable conditions and rare wind peaks.
Nearby alternatives include Moro Rock (higher elevation, more exposed, consistently windier) and Big Trees Trail (lower elevation, more tourist traffic, better-marked infrastructure). Rocky Hills offers a middle ground: quieter than both, moderately exposed, and accessible year-round to prepared visitors. The Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor contains dozens of such under-visited peaks; Rocky Hills is a logical entry point for those seeking to escape corridor flagship crowds while maintaining reasonable access.