Mount Newcomb
Peak · 13,418 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Mount Newcomb is a 13,418-foot peak in California's Eastern Sierra, sitting above the Owens Valley near the crest of the range. Wind-swept and remote, it demands stable weather and early starts.
Mount Newcomb's exposed position funnels wind off adjacent drainages; afternoon gusts are routine. Temperatures average 22 degrees Fahrenheit across the rolling 30-day window, with extremes from 5 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit yearly. Snow lingers into early summer and returns by late fall. Wind speeds regularly hit 13 mph on average and gust to 47 mph; morning calm windows close fast.
Over the last 30 days, Mount Newcomb averaged a NoGo Score of 36.0 with wind at 13 mph, temperature at 22 degrees Fahrenheit, and minimal crowding at 2.0. The week ahead will show whether that pattern holds or shifts. Watch the temperature and wind grid closely; a spike in either will drive the score up and narrow your safe-travel window to early morning or force a postponement entirely.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Mount Newcomb
Mount Newcomb sits in the Eastern Sierra corridor east of the crest, roughly 45 miles north of Lone Pine via US Highway 395. It ranks as a remote, seldom-visited 13,000-footer; the base popularity score of 0.2 reflects minimal summer traffic and nearly no winter use. Access is via rough trailheads on the east side of the range, approached from the Owens Valley floor where Highway 395 runs north-south. The peak sits in avalanche terrain managed by the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center; winter and spring ascents require stable snowpack judgment and awareness of cross-loaded gullies and wind-slab formation on north-facing slopes.
Conditions on Mount Newcomb swing sharply by season and time of day. The 30-day rolling average of 36.0 NoGo Score reflects spring instability: wind averages 13 mph but spikes to 47 mph, temperature hovers at 22 degrees Fahrenheit, and crowding remains negligible because access is restricted by snow and effort. Summer (late July through September) offers the most stable weather window; temperatures climb toward the annual maximum of 34 degrees Fahrenheit, wind remains moderate, and snowpack disappears. Early fall and late spring are transition zones where afternoon wind and rapid snowmelt create variable hazards. Winter approaches are dangerous due to avalanche terrain and wind-scoured ridges; very few parties venture here between November and May.
Mount Newcomb suits experienced mountaineers comfortable with scrambling on exposed, rocky terrain and those willing to start well before dawn to beat afternoon wind. The remote location and avalanche exposure mean solo travel is high-risk; parties should carry beacon, probe, and shovel in season and understand how to read cross-loaded slopes and cornices. Parking is extremely limited and trailhead access depends on Forest Service gate openings and road conditions. Most visitors plan for mid-week visits in summer to avoid crowds, though crowds here are negligible. Winter parties must check avalanche forecasts from ESAC and be prepared to turn back if wind or instability worsens; the 47 mph maximum wind and high-elevation exposure make turnback decisions non-negotiable.
Nearby alternatives in the Eastern Sierra include Mount Inyo and Mount Darwin, both accessible from similar trailheads but with slightly better approach roads and more frequently-traveled routes. The Mount Whitney corridor (Highway 395 near Lone Pine) offers more established infrastructure and shorter descent windows, making it a safer choice for parties less comfortable with navigation and avalanche terrain. Mount Newcomb's isolation and technical demands make it best suited to backcountry skiers, mountaineers, and peak-baggers willing to accept multi-hour approaches and high wind exposure as part of the journey.