The Incredible Hulk
Peak · 11,299 ft · Yosemite corridor
The Incredible Hulk is an 11,299-foot peak in Yosemite's Sierra Nevada corridor. Its high-alpine position and sustained wind exposure define the experience; plan around afternoon gusts and avalanche terrain.
Wind dominates here. Mornings are calmer; by midday, gusts funnel up from the east and accelerate over the ridge. Cold is constant at this elevation, even in spring. Snow lingers longer than lower peaks in the Yosemite corridor. Afternoon is reliably windier than morning.
Over the last 30 days, the average wind has run 15 mph with gusts to 42 mph, and temperatures have hovered near 21 degrees Fahrenheit. Crowding remains low (3.0 out of 10), typical for a high, exposed peak. The week ahead should follow the same pattern: light mornings, heavy afternoon wind, and lingering snow at the summit approach.
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About The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk sits at 11,299 feet in the high Sierra above the Yosemite corridor, reachable via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east. Access depends on Highway 120's opening, typically late spring. The peak rises well above the treeline and offers views across the Cathedral Range. The standard approach crosses high-alpine terrain and lingering snowfields; navigation in fog or whiteout is treacherous. Winter closure of Highway 120 makes this a summer and early-fall destination for most visitors. Spring ascents encounter unstable snow and icefall risk.
The peak's elevation (11,299 feet) places it in relentless wind exposure. The 30-day average wind speed of 15 mph understates the afternoon reality; gusts to 42 mph are common, particularly between noon and sunset. Temperature averages 21 degrees Fahrenheit across the recent 30-day window, with the annual range between 7 and 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow persists into early summer. Crowding is light (3.0 out of 10) year-round, partly because the exposed, technical approach deters casual day-hikers. Solitude is the default; weekends and fair-weather windows bring modest uptick.
This peak suits mountaineers and backcountry skiers with avalanche training and navigation skills. The technical approach, sustained exposure, and avalanche terrain demand experience. Solo travel is risky; parties of two or more are standard. Afternoon wind makes morning departures non-negotiable; summit attempts begun after 9 a.m. risk being pinned by wind and cold. Snowpack stability is the critical check-in spring and early summer; consult the Shasta-Trinity Avalanche Center (SAC) forecast before any approach involving snow. Parking at the trailhead is rarely an issue due to low base popularity (0.2), but Highway 120 closures and weather events can strand vehicles.
The Incredible Hulk sits in a cluster of high peaks along the Cathedral Range. Mount Dana (13,057 feet, southeast) and Mount Gibbs (12,773 feet, south) are higher and slightly more accessible but share the same wind, cold, and avalanche exposure. Climbers often pair The Incredible Hulk with a traverse of nearby peaks in a multi-day push. The Tioga Pass gateway offers the shortest drive from the east; Yosemite Valley offers the longest but most reliable access from the west. Late September and early October offer the most stable weather windows and lowest avalanche risk, though afternoon wind remains relentless.