Bourland Meadow
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Bourland Meadow sits at 7,221 feet in the Yosemite corridor, a high-Sierra trailhead marked by moderate wind exposure and reliable shoulder-season access. Lower crowds than Yosemite Valley proper, similar elevation and weather.
Wind averages 8 mph here but gusts to 22 mph in afternoon hours when thermal flows accelerate off surrounding ridges. Morning calm persists roughly until late morning; afternoon wind is the rule. Temperatures range from 23 degrees in winter to 47 degrees in summer, with spring and fall offering the tightest window between freeze and afternoon heating.
Over the past 30 days, Bourland Meadow has averaged an 8 mph wind and 33 degree temperatures, with a NoGo Score of 18.0; low scores favour early morning visits. The week ahead continues this spring pattern of variable afternoon wind and cool mornings. Check the rolling 30-day trend below to plan around wind peaks and crowding swings as the season opens.
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About Bourland Meadow
Bourland Meadow lies on the eastern flank of the Yosemite corridor at 7,221 feet elevation, roughly 30 minutes northeast of Groveland via Highway 120. Access is straightforward from the west; the trailhead sits on a dirt road branching from the main highway corridor. Parking is modest but rarely full except the first two weekends after Highway 120 opens in spring. The meadow itself is a wet-season runoff zone draining into the Tuolumne drainage. Nearby Groveland serves as the nearest fuel and supply stop; Yosemite Valley lies 45 minutes south by Highway 120.
Spring brings consistent freeze-thaw cycles; mornings average 33 degrees over the past 30 days and often dip below freezing until late morning. Afternoon winds routinely exceed 12 mph by 2 PM, making early departure critical for any activity sensitive to wind. Summer temperatures climb to the 47-degree maximum annually; the upper-elevation exposure means Bourland Meadow stays 8 to 10 degrees cooler than valley floors. Crowding averages 13 on the NoGo scale, well below major Yosemite trailheads. Late September and early October offer the steadiest window: afternoon winds moderate, crowding drops after Labor Day, and temperatures stabilize in the 40-45 degree range.
Bourland Meadow suits hikers, packstock outfitters, and photographers seeking high-Sierra meadow character without the Yosemite Valley permit bottleneck. Experienced visitors plan around the afternoon wind window; backcountry users often depart by noon to avoid exposed ridge travel in peak afternoon gusts. Snowpack lingers into late May at this elevation, so spring trips require microspikes or crampons even if the meadow floor itself is clear. Parking here fills only during opening weekends; mid-week visits in May and June are reliably quiet.
Nearby alternatives include Glen Aulin High Camp (similar elevation, higher crowds), Tenaya Lake (lower elevation, windier in afternoon), and the Highway 120 corridor trailheads around Tioga Pass. Bourland Meadow occupies a middle ground: less traffic than Yosemite Valley, lower snowpack delays than high passes, and more consistent wind than sheltered lake coves. Day trips from Groveland or Sonora are common; backpackers use it as a jumping-off point for the Tuolumne Meadows network.