Disaster Creek Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Disaster Creek Trailhead sits at 6,496 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra. A lightly-trafficked gateway to meadow and creek drainage, it offers lower crowds than roadside pullouts on Highway 120.
Wind averages 7 mph but funnels gustier by afternoon, especially in spring. Cold at elevation; expect 37 degrees on the 30-day average. Morning hours are calmer and warmer relative to dawn temperatures. Afternoon thermals push wind and clouds inland from the east.
Over the last 30 days, Disaster Creek averaged a NoGo Score of 17.0 with wind at 7 mph and temperatures around 37 degrees. The week ahead will track the seasonal transition into late spring; watch for afternoon wind spikes typical of the corridor. Crowding here averages 14.0, well below Yosemite Valley standards.
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About Disaster Creek Trailhead
Disaster Creek Trailhead sits on the eastern flank of the Yosemite corridor, accessed via Highway 120 east of Yosemite Village. The trailhead elevation of 6,496 feet places it in the transition zone between Yosemite Valley and the high Sierra crest. Highway 120 runs north-south through this corridor; the trailhead is roughly 25 miles northeast of the valley floor. This is a true backwater compared to signature Yosemite trailheads. Base popularity is low (0.4 on relative scale), meaning parking is rarely a constraint and encounter rates stay sparse even on weekends.
Conditions here are shaped by elevation and exposure. The 30-day rolling average temperature of 37 degrees reflects lingering winter cold at height. Wind averages 7 mph but peaks at 18 mph during afternoon flows driven by solar heating of lower elevations to the east. Spring through early summer see the strongest thermals. The 30-day rolling average crowding index of 14.0 is modest compared to Yosemite's core trailheads, which routinely exceed 40. This low traffic persists because the trailhead lacks iconic scenery and sits outside the main valley corridor loop. Winter snow blocks access intermittently; Highway 120 closures cascade to this location.
Head here for backcountry access into drainages that feed Disaster Creek. The trailhead works best for experienced hikers planning multi-day routes or water-source scouting. Day-use works in shoulder seasons (late September through early October and May through June) when afternoon wind is manageable and snow is cleared. Parking is typically a non-issue. Water at the trailhead is not guaranteed; plan to treat creek water or cache supply. Cold at elevation means layers are mandatory even in summer. The sparse crowd makes this an alternative for users fleeing Yosemite Valley's parking and encounter density.
Nearby High Sierra Camps offer established water and shelter; Disaster Creek's drainage is drier and more remote. Tenaya Lake, 15 miles west on Highway 120, delivers scenery and much higher traffic. For a comparable solitude experience without the high-Sierra commitment, Tioga Lake (also on Highway 120, east of here) offers car camping and day hikes at similar elevation. The corridor itself is popular for trans-Sierra backpacking; Disaster Creek Trailhead serves as a quieter staging point for those routes.