Franklin Pass
Peak · 11,715 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Franklin Pass is an 11,715-foot peak in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of the Sierra Nevada. A high alpine crossing with avalanche terrain, it sits above the headwaters of the Middle Fork Kings River and demands winter experience and stable snow assessment.
Franklin Pass sits exposed to westerly wind funneling up the glaciated drainages. Afternoon thermals strengthen significantly from mid-day onward; the 30-day average wind is 12 mph, but gusts reach 32 mph in the afternoon. Early morning departures are calmer and safer for travel and assessment.
Over the last 30 days, Franklin Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 37 with temperatures near 26 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind of 12 mph. The week ahead will test your tolerance for wind and snow stability; crowds remain light at this elevation. Watch the trend chart for spikes in temperature and wind, which signal deteriorating snowpack and delayed travel windows.
30 days back / 7 days forward
About Franklin Pass
Franklin Pass sits at 11,715 feet on the high divide between the Middle Fork Kings River drainage and the Sixty Lakes Basin in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor. The most direct approach is via the Sixty Lakes Basin trail from the Copper Creek trailhead near Kearsarge Pass, accessed via Highway 395 south from Independence and US 395 north from Kernville. The drive to Kearsarge Pass parking is roughly 12 miles from Independence; expect a long approach hike to the pass at this elevation. Winter ascents are avalanche terrain exposed and require careful snowpack assessment, stable conditions, and understanding of the specific gullies and slopes that drain the pass.
Franklin Pass sits in the heart of the high Sierra, where April through May conditions are dominated by wet-slab avalanche risk as spring warming increases. The 30-day average temperature is 26 degrees Fahrenheit with maximum winds of 32 mph; the rolling average wind speed of 12 mph masks afternoon gusts that funnel off the lake basins east of the pass. Crowding averages 2.0 on the NoGo scale, making this a low-traffic alpine destination. Late September and early October bring the most stable snow surface and lowest wind; late spring and early summer (after snowmelt) offer safe passage but require scrambling and exposure management on exposed ridges.
Franklin Pass is best for experienced mountaineers with winter mountaineering skills and avalanche training. Parties should plan for full winter gear, including crampons, ice axes, and rescue equipment. The approach is long; early starts are essential to avoid afternoon wind and thermal instability. Check current avalanche forecasts from ESAC (Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center) before departure. Snow stability deteriorates rapidly in spring; wet-slab cycles are common in April and May. Travel in stable morning windows and retreat by early afternoon to avoid wind-loaded slopes and active sloughing.
Nearby alternatives include Kearsarge Pass (a lower, non-technical crossing at 11,823 feet with shorter approach), Forester Pass (11,180 feet, less exposed), and Mather Pass to the north. For a lower-elevation high-country experience, the Sixty Lakes Basin itself offers excellent camping and ridge walking in stable conditions. Kearsarge Pass is warmer and less avalanche-prone but receives significantly more foot traffic. Franklin Pass rewards patient timing and conservative snowpack assessment; it is not a casual high-pass crossing.