Second Kaweah
Peak · 13,666 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Second Kaweah is a 13,666-foot peak in the Eastern Sierra's high-alpine corridor, sitting between the Kaweah Lakes and the crest. Typically calmer than the open ridges east of the divide, it demands respect for avalanche terrain in winter.
Wind accelerates up the western drainage in early afternoon, funneling off the lakes by 2 pm. Mornings are markedly calmer. Temperature swings 30+ degrees between sun and shade. Snow lingers on northfacing slopes into late spring; cornices are common above 13,000 feet.
Over the last 30 days, Second Kaweah has averaged 10 mph wind and 25 degrees Fahrenheit, with the NoGo Score holding at 36. The week ahead tracks similar patterns: expect calm mornings and afternoon wind acceleration. Peak wind gusts have reached 26 mph in the rolling year, a reminder that exposure matters above 13,000 feet.
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About Second Kaweah
Second Kaweah sits on the Sierra crest between the Middle and South Forks of the Kaweah River drainage, roughly 40 road miles northeast of Visalia via California 198. The peak anchors the northern flank of the Kaweah Lakes basin and sits directly above the lakes' western shoreline. Access is primarily from the Mineral King Road approach, which climbs steeply from the foothills and is typically open from late spring through early fall. Winter and spring conditions lock the road for weeks at a time. The nearest reliable services are in Three Rivers, about 45 minutes downhill by car. Cell coverage is absent above 11,000 feet.
Winter snow arrives in November and persists through April; the rolling 365-day minimum temperature is 7 degrees Fahrenheit. The rolling 30-day average temperature of 25 degrees reflects late spring conditions, when the snowpack is consolidating but cornices still fracture easily. Wind averages 10 mph over 30 days but accelerates dramatically in afternoon hours, especially when the lakes below are warming. Crowding remains minimal (average 2.0 on a scale of 10) because the approach is long, the terrain is steep, and permit requirements are strict. Late spring (May through June) sees the most stable conditions once the avalanche danger drops to "considerable" or lower; summer is brief, with afternoon thunderstorms common by July.
Second Kaweah suits experienced mountaineers and ski mountaineers comfortable with high-altitude navigation, steep snowfields, and avalanche hazard assessment. Summer hikers use it as a destination from the Sawtooth Pass approach or as a col crossing on longer ridge traverses. Winter ascents demand avalanche training, proper gear, and constant snowpack monitoring via the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC). The peak's popularity is low (0.2 base score), so solitude is near-guaranteed, but that also means you are responsible for your own rescue. Plan to arrive by mid-morning if you are ascending from the lakes; afternoon wind and lightning risk increase sharply after noon. Carry a weather radio or satellite communicator.
Second Kaweah is often paired with First Kaweah (13,752 feet), a slightly higher neighbour 0.5 miles north across a low col. The Kaweah Peaks Ridge is a multi-day ski or climbing objective that connects all the Kaweah summits. For those seeking lower-elevation alternatives in the Eastern Sierra corridor, Big Trees Pass (11,513 feet) offers similar ridge-walking terrain with a much shorter approach and lower avalanche complexity. Climbers deterred by the Mineral King road closure in winter sometimes pivot to the Sierra Nevada backcountry near Onyx Pass or the Kern Plateau approach, which offer longer driving but earlier seasonal access.