Casa Diablo
Peak · 3,031 ft · Yosemite corridor
Casa Diablo is a 3031-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, sitting between Mono Basin and the Sierra crest. It commands exposure to afternoon wind funneling off the eastern escarpment.
Wind accelerates here by mid-afternoon as thermal circulation pulls air up the eastern slope. Morning calm windows are narrow and brief. Afternoon gusts funnel straight up the drainage; the peak sits fully exposed to Lake Crowley's wind shadow breaking mid-day. Expect sustained ridge effects after 11 a.m.
Over the last 30 days, Casa Diablo has averaged 7 mph wind with gusts to 17 mph and an average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The rolling 30-day NoGo score averages 31, with swings from 5 to 50. The week ahead will track seasonal warming and variable afternoon gusts; plan morning access windows and watch afternoon wind closely.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Casa Diablo
Casa Diablo sits at 3031 feet in the eastern Sierra, part of the Yosemite corridor's high country overlooking the Mono Basin. Access is via Highway 395 from the south (Bishop gateway) or north (Lee Vining gateway). The peak occupies the ridge between Mono Lake and the Sierra crest; the approach scrambles through sage and exposed granite. Drive time from Bishop is roughly 1.5 hours; from Lee Vining, 40 minutes. Parking is roadside along Highway 395 or the Old Highway 395 loop; weekday mornings see minimal congestion, but the first warm weekends of the season draw traffic.
Casa Diablo's conditions cycle with thermal wind patterns and elevation. The 30-day average wind is 7 mph, but afternoon gusts routinely spike to 17 mph as eastern slope heating triggers upslope flow. Average temperature over the last month was 55 degrees Fahrenheit, with a year-round range from 43 to 75 degrees. Spring and early summer bring afternoon wind; late September through October offer calmer mornings and colder nights. Crowds remain low through most of the year (average crowding 3 out of 10), spiking only the first warm weekends after Highway 395 fully opens from winter closure. Winter snowpack can linger into April; avalanche terrain exists on the north-facing slopes above 3200 feet.
Casa Diablo suits parties seeking high-Sierra peak views and scramblers comfortable with talus and exposure. The peak draws day hikers, photographers, and climbers managing altitude and afternoon wind. Experienced visitors arrive by dawn and descend before 11 a.m., when thermal wind accelerates. Parking fills slowly until mid-morning on weekdays; weekend mornings fill by 8 a.m. Bring sun protection, wind layers, and water; the approach offers no reliable shade or water sources. In winter and spring, assess avalanche hazard on the north-facing slopes and confirm Highway 395 is fully open before committing.
Casa Diablo anchors a cluster of accessible high-Sierra peaks in the Yosemite corridor. Nearby alternatives include Mount Warren (11 miles north, higher views and longer approach), White Mountain (due east, desert-like aridity), and peaks above Mono Lake village. The site pairs well with Mono Lake's eastern shore or the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest as a multi-day Mono Basin trip. For a sheltered alternative in the corridor, Tuolumne Meadows offers lower wind and better water access, but trades Casa Diablo's solitude and eastern views.