Cahoon Gap
Peak · 8,658 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Cahoon Gap is an 8,658-foot peak in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high-country pass with avalanche terrain, it sits exposed to afternoon wind funneling off the adjacent high basins.
Wind averages 6 mph but gusts to 28 mph in the afternoon. Temperatures stay near freezing in spring and early summer. Morning windows are calm and predictable; afternoon deteriorates fast. Snowpack stability is the dominant hazard through late spring.
Over the last 30 days, Cahoon Gap averaged a NoGo Score of 36 with temperatures at 33 degrees Fahrenheit and wind at 6 mph. The week ahead will track the seasonal transition from winter snowpack toward exposed rock and scree. Watch for avalanche risk in corniced terrain and afternoon wind buildup typical of the high Sierra at this elevation.
30 days back / 7 days forward
About Cahoon Gap
Cahoon Gap sits at 8,658 feet on the high crest of the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor, bridging drainage basins on the eastern Sierra slope. Access is primarily from the west via Highway 180 from Fresno, driving to the end of road near Cedar Grove, then hiking or backpacking into the backcountry. The gap itself is reached via established routes through the high country; approach via Copper Creek Trail or cross-country scrambling from adjacent drainages. Drive time from Fresno is roughly 2 to 3 hours to road-end. Winter and early-spring access requires snowshoe or climbing gear depending on snow conditions and avalanche exposure.
Conditions at Cahoon Gap are dominated by spring snowpack, afternoon wind acceleration, and high-altitude exposure. The 30-day rolling average wind is 6 mph, but peak gusts reach 28 mph. Average temperature hovers at 33 degrees Fahrenheit, with seasonal extremes ranging from 13 degrees in winter to 51 degrees in summer. Crowding is minimal (rolling average of 2 on the popularity scale), typical of backcountry high passes. Afternoon wind is the consistent pattern; mornings are calmer and more stable. Avalanche terrain requires assessment of snowpack bonding and cornice stability, particularly on north and east-facing slopes. Late spring and summer see faster melt and rock exposure, lowering avalanche risk but increasing exposed scree hazard.
Cahoon Gap suits experienced backcountry travelers, mountaineers, and climbers comfortable with avalanche terrain evaluation and exposed scrambling. Parties should plan for morning ascents, carrying avalanche safety gear through May and early June depending on snowpack. Water sources are seasonal and snowmelt-fed until mid-summer. The gap offers views into adjacent drainages and passage between east and west high country. Solo travel is not recommended due to exposure and avalanche risk. Groups of three or more with route-finding experience and snow safety knowledge are the standard user base. Wind protection is nonexistent at the pass; exposed camp sites require careful site selection or descent to lower elevations by afternoon.
Nearby alternatives in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor include Kearsarge Pass and Forester Pass to the south, both accessed via longer established routes with different exposure profiles. Glen Pass to the north offers similar high-country terrain with comparable wind and avalanche hazards. The Copper Creek drainage to the west provides a lower-elevation entry point for those seeking easier access to high alpine zones. Cahoon Gap is steeper, less trafficked, and more committing than nearby passes; it rewards early-season skill and local knowledge but punishes poor timing or route errors.