Sphinx Pass
Peak · 12,060 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Sphinx Pass, a 12,060-foot peak in California's Eastern Sierra, sits above the glacial lakes of the Inyo National Forest. High elevation and exposed ridgeline make it windy and cold.
Wind accelerates over the pass from mid-morning onward, funneling down the eastern drainage by afternoon. Temperatures stay near freezing year-round. Morning calm is rare; plan for persistent 11 mph average winds and gusts to 44 mph. Snowpack dominates spring and early summer.
The 30-day average wind here is 11 mph with peak gusts reaching 44 mph, making this one of the windier high passes in the corridor. Temperatures average 21 degrees Fahrenheit; the rolling 365-day range shows lows near 5 degrees and highs around 34 degrees. Expect minimal crowds (2.0 average) owing to the high elevation and avalanche terrain. The week ahead likely mirrors the last month's instability unless a high-pressure system locks in.
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About Sphinx Pass
Sphinx Pass sits at the divide between the Inyo National Forest and the Sierra crest, roughly 20 miles northeast of Big Pine via Highway 395 and Forest Service roads. The peak marks a junction of old pack trails and climbing approaches. Access is typically from the Palisade Lake or Bishop Pass trailheads, both on the west slope; the eastern approach via the Inyo backcountry is longer and exposed. No road reaches the pass itself. The site sits in ESAC avalanche terrain; winter and spring travel requires current snowpack assessment from the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center.
Sphinx Pass averages 36 NoGo Score over the last 30 days, reflecting sustained high wind and cold. The 30-day average temperature of 21 degrees Fahrenheit means snow persists into June most years. Wind averages 11 mph but regularly gusts over 30 mph; the 30-day maximum was 44 mph. Crowding stays low at 2.0 average, a function of the peak's remote location, high elevation, and the technical scramble required. Late spring and early summer see the most activity as snowmelt opens access; autumn is brief and typically windy.
Sphinx Pass suits experienced mountaineers comfortable with scrambling, routefinding, and self-rescue. The approach involves cross-country travel through talus and snowfields depending on season. Parties should carry avalanche safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel) in spring and early summer. The pass offers views into the Palisade Lakes basin and east toward White Mountains. Wind exposure makes afternoon visits miserable; head here early morning or skip windy days entirely. Parking at Bishop Pass or Palisade Lake trailheads fills on fair-weather weekends; weekday ascents see fewer bottlenecks.
Nearby alternatives include Kearsarge Pass (12,000 feet) to the south, more trafficked and slightly less extreme; and Gunsight Pass to the north, which sits in similar terrain but with less documented wind data. The Palisade Crest traverses above the pass and offers longer high-country routes for parties with multiple days. Bishop Pass (12,195 feet) to the west has better approach conditions and slightly lower average wind. All three peaks sit in avalanche terrain; seasonal stability assessment is non-negotiable.