Arc Pass
Peak · 12,926 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Arc Pass sits at 12926 feet in the Eastern Sierra, a high alpine crossing between the Inyo and Mono drainages. Wind and snow dominate its character; it rewards early starts and calm mornings.
Arc Pass funnels wind off the high Sierra divide; the 30-day average wind is 12 mph, with gusts reaching 43 mph. Morning calm lasts until mid-morning; afternoon wind is the rule. Expect cold, thin air and rapid weather shifts.
Over the last 30 days, Arc Pass averaged 16 degrees and 12 mph wind with a NoGo Score of 37.0. The week ahead will likely hold similar patterns: cold, windy afternoons, and best conditions in early morning hours. Snowpack and avalanche terrain remain relevant through early summer.
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About Arc Pass
Arc Pass is a 12926-foot alpine saddle in the Eastern Sierra, straddling the divide between the Inyo and Mono watersheds. Access is via Highway 395 north of Lone Pine, then Forest Service roads into the Inyo National Forest backcountry. The pass sits in high-avalanche terrain; winter and spring approaches carry slab risk. Drive times from Lone Pine are 1.5 to 2 hours depending on road conditions and snow. The pass is a climbing and trekking objective, not a roadside stop; few casual visitors reach it.
Arc Pass sits in the heart of the Eastern Sierra's alpine zone, where temperatures average 16 degrees over the last 30 days and drop to minus 2 degrees in deepest winter. The 30-day average wind is 12 mph, but gusts spike to 43 mph, driven by west-to-east flow across the crest. Spring and early summer bring the most snow and avalanche hazard. Summer sees brief windows of stable weather and lower crowding. Fall offers longer calm periods but shortening daylight. Winter is raw and often inaccessible; avalanche terrain instability peaks after heavy snow.
Arc Pass suits mountaineers, high-elevation trekkers, and climbers comfortable with exposed alpine terrain and avalanche hazard. Experienced visitors plan for early starts to exploit morning calm; afternoon wind makes exposed ridges and summits dangerous. Expect no services, no water, and self-rescue responsibility. Most trips are one-day pushes from Highway 395 or multi-day pack-ins from the west side. Parking near the trailhead is limited; weekends fill early. Snowpack and avalanche danger constrain access through spring.
Arc Pass is one of the Eastern Sierra's true backcountry divides, less trafficked than Kearsarge Pass or Tioga Pass. Nearby Inyo Peaks and the Palisades offer similar alpine conditions and winter hazard. The pass's isolation and exposure make it distinct from lower, more sheltered Eastern Sierra destinations like Mono Lake or the Alabama Hills. Climbers often pair Arc Pass with the adjacent peaks as part of longer Sierra traverse routes.