Westfall Meadow Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Westfall Meadow Trailhead sits at 7034 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A moderate-elevation gateway to subalpine meadow and forest, it offers calmer conditions than higher peaks nearby.
Wind averages 7 mph but gusts to 17 mph by afternoon, funnelling down the drainage from the northeast. Morning calm typically holds until late morning. Expect temperature swings; the 365-day range runs from 7 degrees to 62 degrees. Crowding stays light relative to Valley trailheads.
Over the last 30 days, the average NoGo Score has been 16.0, with temperature holding at 41 degrees and wind averaging 7 mph. The week ahead will show whether afternoon wind spikes above that 30-day average or holds steady. Check the chart for crowding trends; base popularity here is low, so weekends rarely choke the lot.
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About Westfall Meadow Trailhead
Westfall Meadow Trailhead is a 7034-foot launch point into the high Sierra backcountry east of Yosemite Valley. Access is via California Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road) heading east from the Valley; the trailhead lies in the Yosemite corridor, roughly 30 minutes' drive from Crane Flat. The lot is small and fills slowly even in peak season because traffic here skews toward serious backpackers and climbers rather than day-hikers. The surrounding drainage feeds into the high country; snow lingers longer here than in the Valley, and the elevation ensures cold nights year-round.
Conditions at Westfall Meadow swing sharply by season and time of day. The 30-day average temperature of 41 degrees masks the annual spread from 7 degrees to 62 degrees, meaning winter snow seals the road and late-summer afternoons can surprise unprepared visitors. Wind averages 7 mph but peaks at 17 mph, typically in the afternoon as thermals rise and air funnels down the canyon. Crowding averages 13 over the 30-day window, well below the baseline for Yosemite Valley trailheads. The NoGo Score averaged 16.0 over the last month, indicating mixed but generally navigable conditions.
Westfall Meadow Trailhead suits backpackers planning multi-day Sierra traverses, mountaineers accessing the high peaks, and experienced day-hikers comfortable with exposed terrain and fast-changing weather. The small parking lot and minimal facilities mean self-sufficiency is non-negotiable. Experienced visitors plan for afternoon wind and carry extra layers; the elevation and aspect ensure temperature drops fast once the sun clears a ridge. Snow-fed streams run cold through midsummer, and water treatment is essential. The 365-day max wind of 17 mph is modest by Sierra standards, but gusts can still gust harder in severe systems.
Nearby alternatives include Tenaya Lake Trailhead and Cathedral Lakes Trailhead, both also accessed via Highway 120. Tenaya sits lower and warmer; Cathedral Lakes sits higher and colder. Westfall Meadow occupies the middle ground: less crowded than the Valley core, less extreme than the true alpine, and a reliable entry point to the high country when conditions permit. The Yosemite corridor as a whole offers varied elevation and exposure; Westfall Meadow's modest elevation and low-baseline crowding make it a sensible choice for visitors who want serious Sierra conditions without waiting for a parking spot.