Molybdenite Creek Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Molybdenite Creek Trailhead sits at 7,844 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Wind funnels down the drainage most afternoons; mornings offer the calmest access to the high country.
Wind averages 14 mph and peaks in afternoon hours as thermals rise off lower elevations. Mornings are noticeably calmer. Temperature swings sharply between sun and shadow at this elevation. Crowding remains light year-round, so parking and trail congestion are not typical constraints.
The last 30 days averaged 16 in NoGo Score with winds at 14 mph and temperatures at 34 degrees Fahrenheit; wind has gusted to 37 mph. The week ahead will track typical spring patterns for this elevation: expect morning calm and afternoon wind pickup. Plan your outing for early light if you're sensitive to wind or exposed terrain.
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About Molybdenite Creek Trailhead
Molybdenite Creek Trailhead lies on the eastern margin of the Yosemite corridor at 7,844 feet elevation, accessed via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east. The trailhead sits near the crest drainage of Molybdenite Creek in the high Sierra. Gateway towns include Lee Vining to the south and Groveland to the west; Highway 120 is the primary corridor access. The location sits roughly 10 road miles northeast of Tenaya Lake and sits below the Sierra crest, making it a launch point for traverses into the high country or creek-drainage exploration.
Spring and early summer bring rapid snowpack transition; at 7,844 feet, Molybdenite Creek Trailhead remains snow-covered into late spring in most years. Winter temperatures drop to 15 degrees Fahrenheit on average lows; summer highs reach 50 degrees. Wind is the defining weather constraint: the 30-day average wind is 14 mph with maximum gusts to 37 mph, and afternoon acceleration is consistent as thermal flow funnels down the drainage. Crowding averages 13 on the 30-day rolling window, making this a quiet destination even during peak season. Summer sees lower wind and higher temperatures; winter closure risk depends on Highway 120 conditions.
Molybdenite Creek Trailhead suits backcountry hikers and peak baggers who tolerate exposed, windy terrain and have high-country navigation skills. Most visitors are experienced Sierra travelers who plan around afternoon wind by starting early and descending or sheltering by mid-day. Parking is minimal and rarely fills. Water is available from Molybdenite Creek itself; the trailhead is unimproved and offers no facilities. Afternoon wind makes this location less appealing for photographers or leisurely walkers; head here on calm mornings if you're sensitive to gusts.
Nearby Cathedral Lakes Trailhead lies west on Highway 120 and sits lower in elevation with less consistent wind. Tenaya Lake, 10 miles west, is warmer and more crowded. Visitors combining ridge traverses or peak attempts often start at Molybdenite Creek and exit via Cathedral Lakes or Tuolumne Meadows, treating it as the quieter entry point to the Yosemite high country. Wind conditions at this elevation are more stable than lakeside locations but more aggressive than protected valley floors, making Molybdenite Creek Trailhead ideal for those seeking solitude and willing to time their effort for dawn light.