Timber Knob
Peak · 9,911 ft · Yosemite corridor
Timber Knob is a 9911-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high-elevation summit with significant avalanche terrain and exposure to afternoon wind funneling off the high country.
Wind dominates here. Morning calm gives way to afternoon gusts that funnel down drainage and across the exposed ridge. Temperatures average 26 degrees Fahrenheit over the rolling 30 days and swing between 13 and 40 degrees across the year. Head early if you're climbing or skiing; expect afternoon deterioration.
Over the last 30 days, Timber Knob has averaged a NoGo Score of 32 with wind at 9 mph, though peak gusts have reached 30 mph. The week ahead will follow the same pattern: calm mornings, stronger afternoon flow, variable crowding tied to highway access and snowpack stability. Winter and early spring demand avalanche awareness; snowpack instability and wind-slab formation are recurring concerns.
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About Timber Knob
Timber Knob sits at 9911 feet in the high Sierra above the Yosemite corridor, accessed via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east. The peak lies in avalanche terrain tracked by the SAC (Sierra Avalanche Center). Primary approach is from the Tioga Road corridor; drive times vary sharply with seasonal snow closure on Highway 120. Low baseline popularity (0.2 rating) means crowds are light even on weekends, but access windows are narrow and weather windows tighter.
Conditions here are shaped by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average wind is 9 mph, but afternoon gusts regularly reach 30 mph as air flows over the high-elevation pass. Temperature averages 26 degrees Fahrenheit in the rolling 30-day window and ranges from a low of 13 degrees to a high of 40 degrees year-round. Spring and early summer see rapid snowpack change and avalanche risk; late summer and fall offer the most stable windows. Crowding averages 3 out of 10, low across all seasons.
Timber Knob suits experienced alpinists, ski mountaineers, and winter climbers with avalanche training. Plan around three constraints: road closure (Highway 120 shuts in winter and early spring), afternoon wind (skip after mid-morning on exposed terrain), and snowpack instability (consult SAC bulletins before any winter ascent). Parking is informal and rarely full. Bring layers; temperature swings of 27 degrees from low to high across the year mean conditions can shift fast.
Nearby alternatives in the Yosemite corridor include lower peaks with less avalanche exposure and peaks to the north and south along Highway 395. Timber Knob's isolation and minimal development make it a destination for solitude and technical mountaineering rather than casual hiking. Late summer and early fall offer the most forgiving weather and highest access reliability; winter ascents require solid avalanche assessment and crampons or skis.