Bullion Knob
Peak · 4,255 ft · Yosemite corridor
Bullion Knob is a 4,255-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, sitting above the transition zone between the Central Valley and alpine meadows. Typically windier than valley floors but calmer than fully exposed ridgelines.
Wind averages 7 mph but climbs sharply in afternoon thermals, often reaching 20 mph by mid-day. Exposure is real: the peak catches valley breeze funneling upslope. Morning windows are narrow; aim for first light if you're hiking or climbing.
Over the last 30 days, the rolling average wind at Bullion Knob has been 7 mph, with temperatures averaging 53 degrees Fahrenheit and a NoGo Score of 31. The week ahead will show typical late-spring patterns: calm mornings, rising afternoon thermals, and variable crowding as access roads clear. Expect high variability; the 30-day max wind reached 20 mph.
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About Bullion Knob
Bullion Knob sits on the eastern flank of the Sierra crest in the Yosemite corridor, roughly 40 miles northeast of Modesto via Highway 120. The peak anchors a modest ridge system overlooking Tenaya drainage and the lower Yosemite high country. Access is primarily via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road); the trailhead approaches vary by season and recent conditions. At 4,255 feet, Bullion Knob occupies the transition between foothill chaparral and subalpine forest, making it accessible earlier in spring than higher peaks but subject to rapid afternoon wind swings typical of the Sierra front.
Conditions here follow a pronounced diurnal cycle driven by valley heating. Mornings are typically calm, with average wind of 7 mph and temperatures around 53 degrees Fahrenheit (rolling 30-day average). By mid-afternoon, thermal updrafts push wind gusts to 20 mph or higher, especially on clear days. The 30-day NoGo Score averages 31, reflecting moderate variability; lows of 5 and highs of 50 show this peak swings from excellent to challenging conditions within short time windows. Winter and early spring bring avalanche terrain concerns; the SAC avalanche center monitors this area. Crowding is light to moderate, averaging a score of 3 across the rolling 30 days, partly due to the low base popularity (0.2) and its position outside Yosemite Valley proper.
Bullion Knob appeals to climbers, scramblers, and ridge walkers seeking high-Sierra granite without the Valley crowds. Experienced visitors plan around the morning-to-afternoon wind transition and avoid the peak during or immediately after major snowfall or rapid snowmelt when avalanche risk spikes. Parking can be constrained near trailheads when Highway 120 first opens in spring; weekday mornings offer better access than weekends. The peak's low popularity means solitude is common, but isolation also means limited rescue infrastructure; self-sufficiency is assumed. Water sources are seasonal and elevation-dependent; summer is drier than spring.
Nearby alternatives include higher peaks along the Sierra crest (Cathedral Peak, Tenaya Peak) and lower ridge walks in the foothills. Bullion Knob sits between the exposed crest and gentler valley approaches, making it a natural waypoint for high-Sierra traverses. Compared to Cathedral Peak, Bullion Knob sees a fraction of the traffic and offers a similar wind-and-granite character at slightly lower elevation. Those seeking solitude and willing to tolerate afternoon wind will find Bullion Knob preferable to more famous Yosemite corridor destinations.