Texas Hill
Peak · 3,248 ft · Yosemite corridor
Texas Hill is a 3,248-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Sits above the Highway 120 approach corridor with moderate avalanche terrain and low baseline foot traffic.
Wind averages 7 mph but accelerates mid-day as thermals off the valley floor climb the eastern slope. Morning hours are calmer. Temperature swings 40 to 72 degrees across the year; spring snowpack lingers into late April. Crowding stays minimal year-round, typical for this back-corridor approach.
The 30-day average wind of 7 mph reflects spring transition conditions; gusts peak at 19 mph during afternoon hours. Temperature averages 52 degrees with night freezing still common. The week ahead brings typical late-April patterns: stable mornings, increasing wind by afternoon, and residual wet-slab risk on steep north-facing terrain. Check SAC avalanche forecasts before any winter or early-spring approach.
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About Texas Hill
Texas Hill sits at 3,248 feet along the Highway 120 corridor that links the Central Valley to Tuolumne Meadows and the high Sierra. The peak is accessed via the eastern Yosemite approach, roughly 90 minutes from Groveland or two hours from Modesto via Highway 120. Low base popularity (0.2) means solitude is nearly guaranteed. The location sits in the avalanche zone tracked by the Sacramento Avalanche Center; winter and early-spring visitors must confirm snowpack stability before climbing any steep section.
Spring and early summer bring the most variable conditions. The 30-day average temperature of 52 degrees masks morning freezing and afternoon warmth typical of April and May at this elevation. Wind averages 7 mph but funnels upslope and exceeds 19 mph by mid-afternoon when thermals peak. Crowding stays minimal through the year; the rolling 30-day average of 3.0 reflects the remote location and low-popularity corridor. Late September and early October offer the most stable conditions: cooler nights, lighter winds, and clear sight lines once early-season snow has consolidated or melted.
Texas Hill suits backcountry travelers with avalanche training who time approaches for morning stability windows. The peak's low traffic and avalanche-prone terrain demand self-sufficiency; expect no maintained shelter or rescue staging. Experienced visitors plan around morning departures to avoid afternoon wind and thermal overturning. Winter and spring require beacon, probe, and shovel; check SAC forecasts for wet-slab risk on north-facing slopes. Parking near the Highway 120 approach corridor is informal and tight during the brief summer season.
Nearby peaks along the same corridor offer similar isolation and avalanche exposure. Tuolumne Meadows and the Cathedral Range lie further east and higher, drawing more traffic but offering more established routes. Highway 120 becomes unreliable in winter; plan visits for late spring through early fall when the pass is consistently open. The Yosemite Valley, 45 minutes south, sees vastly higher crowding but better services and maintained shelter. Texas Hill is for winter-skilled visitors seeking backcountry terrain with minimal competition for space.