Milly's Foot Pass
Peak · 12,281 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Milly's Foot Pass is a 12,281-foot peak in California's Eastern Sierra, set in avalanche terrain above the high-country basins. Expect sustained wind and cold temps typical of this elevation corridor.
Wind dominates. The 30-day average runs 15 mph, with gusts to 42 mph common on exposed ridges and passes. Morning hours are calmer; afternoon brings funneling off adjacent basins. Temperature swings from 4 degrees in winter to 35 degrees in summer, but recent conditions average 22 degrees. Crowding stays light at a 2.0 average.
Over the last 30 days, Milly's Foot Pass has held an average NoGo Score of 38.0, with wind running 15 mph and temperatures at 22 degrees. The low score was 8.0 and the high 65.0, meaning stable windows do open but wind spikes fast. The week ahead will follow the same pattern: plan for afternoon wind, avoid the peak in late daylight, and watch the avalanche center advisories before any winter or spring approach.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Milly's Foot Pass
Milly's Foot Pass sits at 12,281 feet in the high Sierra, on the boundary between accessible high-country ridges and serious alpine terrain. Access is via Highway 395 corridor gateways; the nearest towns are Lone Pine to the south and Bishop to the north, each 30 to 60 minutes' drive from trailheads that climb to the pass. The pass itself is avalanche terrain and requires winter skills and current snowpack judgment from the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC). Summer and early-fall approaches are snow-free but still demand scrambling ability and exposure tolerance.
Conditions at Milly's Foot Pass follow Eastern Sierra altitude patterns. The 30-day average wind of 15 mph is typical for the zone; gusts spike to 42 mph when weather systems move through. Temperature ranges 4 to 35 degrees across the year, with the recent 30-day mean at 22 degrees indicating late-season conditions. Crowding averages 2.0, making this a low-traffic location even in peak seasons. Winter snowpack drives route difficulty and avalanche risk; spring and early summer bring thaw, runoff, and unstable slab potential. By late September, the pass is generally snow-free and wind-scoured.
Milly's Foot Pass suits experienced alpinists, mountaineers, and scrambler groups seeking high-elevation training or summit bagging in the Eastern Sierra corridor. The avalanche terrain means winter and spring visits require beacon, probe, and shovel, plus familiarity with slope stability assessment. Summer and fall ascents avoid avalanche risk but demand scrambling skill and tolerance for sustained wind. Parking at trailheads fills quickly on weekends; early weekday mornings offer the best access to calm conditions before afternoon wind picks up. The NoGo Score of 38.0 (30-day average) reflects marginal go-no-go conditions; days with scores below 20 are ideal, days above 50 are best avoided.
Nearby peaks and passes in the Eastern Sierra corridor offer similar high-altitude exposure. Bishop Pass to the north and Kearsarge Pass to the south provide alternative scrambles and climbing objectives at comparable elevations. Lower-elevation lake basins and creek access around Lone Pine and Independence offer training grounds for pre-season conditioning. Milly's Foot Pass itself lacks the foot traffic of more famous Sierra destinations, making it a good choice for solitude-seeking groups comfortable with isolated terrain and self-reliance.