Mount Gilbert
Peak · 13,090 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Mount Gilbert is a 13,090-foot peak in the Eastern Sierra that sits above the Sierra high country north of Bishop. Typically windier than nearby lower passes but accessible year-round when snowpack permits.
Wind averages 9 mph over the last month but can spike to 28 mph in afternoon gusts. Afternoon heating drives consistent upslope flow off the lake drainage to the east. Head early, expect diminishing conditions by mid-day, and plan for snow coverage until late spring thaw.
Over the last 30 days, Mount Gilbert averaged a NoGo Score of 37 with temperatures averaging 27 degrees Fahrenheit and winds at 9 mph. The week ahead shows typical spring variability; afternoon wind remains the dominant constraint. Use the chart below to identify low-wind windows and stable temperature days for summit attempts.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Mount Gilbert
Mount Gilbert sits in the Eastern Sierra high country north of Bishop, California, at 13,090 feet. Access is via Highway 395 to either Buttermilks Road or the Tungsten Canyon/Pine Creek drainage approaches; both route through BLM and Sierra National Forest land. The peak itself sits roughly 3 to 4 hours from US 395, depending on trailhead choice and snow coverage. Winter and early spring require avalanche awareness; the peak sits in terrain with significant snowpack accumulation and slab potential on steeper approach couloirs. High-elevation exposure means self-rescue is the only option; parties must be competent in snow travel, crevasse awareness, and weather reading.
Mount Gilbert experiences a compressed climbing season. Winter temperatures drop to 12 degrees Fahrenheit on the coldest days; summer highs reach only 44 degrees even in peak season. The last 30 days show an average temperature of 27 degrees with wind averaging 9 mph, though gusts exceed 28 mph regularly. Spring brings accelerating snowmelt and increasing afternoon wind; late spring and early summer provide the most stable climbing windows but also the highest crowding on good-weather weekends. Afternoon wind is relentless at this elevation and exposure; calm conditions occur almost exclusively in early morning or during storm fronts. Summer brings occasional afternoon thunderstorms and the highest UV exposure; autumn offers returning stability but shortening days.
Mount Gilbert suits experienced alpinists and climbers comfortable with sustained high-altitude exposure, avalanche terrain, and self-sufficiency. Most attempts are summit push day-hikes from prepared camps or multi-day wilderness trips via the Tungsten or Buttermilks approaches. Plan for heavy snowpack April through early June; by July most snow has retreated to shaded couloirs. Parking at Bishop-area trailheads fills quickly on weekends and Friday afternoons once Highway 395 opens fully. Groups typically time attempts for early morning summits; wind routinely shuts down the peak by early afternoon, making descent hazardous. The 9 mph average wind masks the spiky afternoon pattern; ignore the rolling average and treat the trend chart as your primary decision tool.
Nearby alternatives include the Buttermilks proper (shorter approach, lower exposure), Mount Tom to the south (similarly exposed, often less crowded), and the Tungsten Canyon drainage peaks. Bishop Pass via the Sierra crest offers a different access corridor. Mount Gilbert's appeal lies in its isolation and true alpine character rather than traffic or easier scrambling; it is not a destination for weekend tourists but for parties comfortable with sustained snow travel and crevasse terrain.