The Major General
Peak · 12,401 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
The Major General, a 12,401-foot peak in California's Eastern Sierra, rises above the high-alpine corridor east of the Sierra crest. Exposed and wind-prone, it demands stable conditions and early starts.
Wind dominates. The 30-day average is 13 mph, but afternoon gusts regularly exceed 40 mph as thermal circulation builds off lower elevations. Morning calm persists only until mid-day. Expect intense exposure; there is little shelter once above the talus fields.
The 30-day average wind of 13 mph with a rolling maximum of 47 mph reflects typical spring conditions in the Eastern Sierra corridor. Temperatures average 21 degrees Fahrenheit at the summit; diurnal swings are sharp. The week ahead shows whether morning windows will hold stable or compress further as season progresses.
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About The Major General
The Major General sits on the crest of the Eastern Sierra, roughly 12 miles east of Independence and accessible via the Onion Valley Road (County Road 195), which climbs from Highway 395 near Independence. The road itself opens seasonally, typically around late spring when snowpack permits vehicle access. The peak lies within avalanche terrain tracked by the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center. No established marked trail reaches the summit; approach parties navigate talus slopes and loose scree. Drive time from Independence is roughly 45 minutes to the Onion Valley trailhead parking. The peak sits at 12,401 feet; nearby summits and the Onion Valley drainage drain west toward the Sierra crest saddles.
Spring and early summer bring the most stable conditions but also the most variable. April through early June see rolling 30-day averages of 36 NoGo Score, 21 degrees Fahrenheit mean temperature, and 13 mph mean wind. However, afternoon thermal wind is nearly guaranteed; morning starts before 06:00 are non-negotiable. Late September through early October offer cleaner air and less crowding (average 2.0 on the crowding scale) but colder nights and snowpack lingering at high passes. Winter is avalanche-prone; slopes above 35 degrees carry substantial burial risk after storms. Snow can persist at this elevation through May. Temperature extremes swing from lows near 5 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to highs near 34 degrees Fahrenheit at peak season.
The Major General suits climbers with high-altitude scree experience and parties prepared for exposed scrambling on loose terrain. It is not a beginner peak. Expect full morning light to assess rockfall and loose-block hazard. Parking at Onion Valley fills quickly on weekends in May and June; plan for a mid-week ascent or an early Friday arrival. Wind exceeding 40 mph is common; descending in such conditions is dangerous on talus. Experienced parties build turnaround times rigidly; the summit offers no shelter. Avalanche awareness is essential in spring; weak-layer bonding remains suspect until mid-June in most years.
Nearby alternatives include Kearsarge Peak, also accessed from Onion Valley and lower in elevation (12,600 feet but with more established trail). Independence Peak and Gould Peak lie within the same drainage and can be combined for a ridge traverse. The Eastern Sierra corridor offers dozens of peaks between 12,000 and 13,000 feet; most see less traffic and similar wind regimes. The Onion Valley Road itself affords access to the Kearsarge Pass Trail, which offers a less technical high-country option when The Major General conditions are marginal.