Henry Col
Peak · 11,646 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Henry Col sits at 11,646 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor, a high Sierra pass linking two major drainages. Winter and spring approach demands avalanche awareness.
Henry Col faces persistent wind funneling through the col from the west; the 30-day average wind stands at 9 mph, but gusts spike to 24 mph by afternoon. Mornings calm relative to midday thermals. Temperature averages 28 degrees Fahrenheit across the rolling month, with exposure on both sides amplifying wind chill.
Over the last 30 days, Henry Col averaged a NoGo Score of 36, with wind and cold driving most advisory days. The minimum score dipped to 5 (highly favorable); the maximum reached 65 (marginal). Crowding remains light at an average of 2 out of 10. Watch the week ahead for shifts in temperature and wind direction as storm systems move through the corridor.
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About Henry Col
Henry Col (11,646 feet) is a glacially-carved pass in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, linking the Kern Plateau drainage to the east with westslope drainages toward the Kaweah River system. Access typically comes from the south via Highway 180 to Cedar Grove and then by foot or packstock up the Middle Fork Kaweah or from the Kern Plateau trailheads to the east. The col sits on a ridgeline that concentrates wind and weather; it is not a road pass but a high-country crossing used by backpackers, peak baggers, and stock parties traversing the crest corridor. Gateway towns include Three Rivers (west side) and Lone Pine (Owens Valley, east).
Conditions at Henry Col track the high Sierra seasonal cycle. Winter snowpack typically blocks the col from November through late May; spring ascents require avalanche assessment and experience with snow travel. Summer (late June through September) opens the col to stable passage, though afternoon wind and thermal development remain constant. The 30-day average temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit reflects late-season snow and early-season freeze-thaw cycling. Maximum wind gusts of 24 mph are typical for spring and early summer afternoons. Crowding stays minimal (average 2 out of 10) because access demands backcountry navigation and multi-day commitment; hikers are not casual day-trippers.
Henry Col suits experienced Sierra traversers, peak baggers climbing the Great Western Divide or Kern Crest, and backcountry stock parties. Conditions demand respect for avalanche terrain in winter and spring; the col's exposure on both flanks means slopes on either side shed snow and slides are possible. Summer crossers should plan for morning starts to avoid afternoon wind and lightning exposure. Water is scarce at the col itself; melt pools and creeks lie in adjacent drainages. Experienced visitors know to check the Sierra avalanche center before any winter or spring approach and to monitor weather windows because conditions degrade rapidly when systems move in from the west.
Henry Col links to a larger Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor network. Nearby peaks and passes include the Kern Crest to the south and the Great Western Divide to the west. Backcountry travelers often pair Henry Col with traverses of the Kern Plateau or extended ridge walks along the crest. Conditions here are comparable to other high passes in the corridor: wind-prone, cold, and subject to rapid weather swings. The col is lower-traffic than famous peaks like Mount Whitney but demands similar preparation and caution with avalanche and exposure hazards.