Glen Pass
Peak · 11,925 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Glen Pass is an 11,925-foot alpine saddle in the Eastern Sierra, straddling Inyo and Tulare counties on the High Sierra Trail. Wind-swept and exposed, it sits above forested valleys and connects to Rae Lakes via steep talus and scree.
Glen Pass funnels afternoon wind down the Sierra crest; mornings typically run calm and stable. The pass sits above treeline with no shelter; weather swings hard between dawn and mid-afternoon. Wind gusts hit 37 mph on bad days. Head early and plan descent before afternoon thermal wind picks up.
Over the past 30 days, Glen Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 38.0 with average wind of 13.0 mph and temperatures around 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead looks consistent with spring patterns at this elevation. Watch for afternoon wind ramps and lingering snowpack on the north approach.
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About Glen Pass
Glen Pass sits at 11,925 feet on the Sierra crest between Inyo and Tulare counties, accessed via the High Sierra Trail from the Rae Lakes trailhead near Independence or via the Kearsarge Pass approach from the Inyo National Forest. The nearest town is Independence, California, roughly 30 miles west via Highway 395. Glen Pass is a key transit point for backpackers linking the Rae Lakes basin to Inyo National Forest drainages. Primary access runs through trailheads on the east side of the Sierra; the pass itself is above treeline and exposed to rapid weather changes.
Glen Pass experiences high-altitude alpine conditions year-round. The 30-day average temperature is 23 degrees Fahrenheit with average wind of 13.0 mph; maximum wind gusts reach 37 mph. Winter snowpack persists well into spring; north-facing talus and snow-filled gullies create avalanche terrain that demands careful route-finding and snowpack assessment. Summer brings lower temperature swings and calmer mornings, but afternoon wind still dominates after 11 a.m. The pass is rarely crowded; low base popularity and distance from major highways keep user count minimal even in peak season.
Glen Pass suits experienced Sierra backpackers comfortable with exposure, scrambling, and loose terrain. Novices and solo travelers should wait for stable, low-wind days and avoid the pass in whiteout or high-wind conditions. Parties crossing the pass typically time arrival for early morning (before 10 a.m.) when wind is minimal and snow bridges (if present) are consolidated. Afternoon descent risk is high; wind-pinned parties have reported difficulty managing loads on the exposed approach. Avalanche terrain awareness is mandatory on the north side, especially April through May when snowpack is deepest and afternoon sun destabilizes slopes.
Glen Pass lies on the direct High Sierra Trail route; nearby alternatives include Kearsarge Pass (13,101 feet) to the north, which offers a slightly less exposed crossing but similar exposure and wind character. Forester Pass (13,180 feet) to the south is the highest Sierra crest crossing and experiences more severe wind. Rae Lakes basin (below Glen Pass to the west) offers alpine camping and fishing, making it a logical staging area. Independence and Lone Pine provide resupply and lodging for High Sierra Trail trips; Highway 395 is the main north-south spine serving the Eastern Sierra corridor.