McGee Lakes Pass North
Peak · 11,580 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
McGee Lakes Pass North is an 11,580-foot peak in the Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Sits above the McGee Lakes basin on the Kings-Kern Divide, exposed to afternoon wind and avalanche terrain.
Wind accelerates upslope by mid-afternoon, funneling through the saddle between McGee Lakes Pass North and adjacent peaks. Morning calm is brief; expect 11 mph average with gusts to 38 mph by late day. Snowpack dominates spring conditions; avalanche terrain is significant on the north and east aspects.
The 30-day average wind of 11 mph and temperature of 19 degrees Fahrenheit reflect spring transition at this elevation. The NoGo Score has averaged 37 over the last month, with lows of 5 on calm mornings and highs of 65 on windy afternoons. The week ahead follows the typical pattern: calmest before 10 a.m., deteriorating through afternoon.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About McGee Lakes Pass North
McGee Lakes Pass North crowns the ridgeline between the McGee Lakes drainage and the upper Kings-Kern Divide in the high Sierra. The peak lies approximately 30 miles northeast of Visalia via California Highway 198 and the Mineral King Road approach, or via the Onyx Pass/Sherman Pass corridor on Highway 395. Access is via the McGee Lakes trail system; the pass itself sits at a junction of backcountry routes. Elevation gain from the McGee Lakes trailhead is substantial; snow closure of Highway 198 often blocks the standard spring approach until late May or early June. The peak is primarily accessed by ski tourers and experienced climbers during snow season, and by summer hikers after snowpack stabilizes.
Spring conditions at 11,580 feet feature persistent snowpack, wind-slab formation on the lee slopes, and significant avalanche terrain on the north and east faces. The 30-day average temperature of 19 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind of 11 mph mask daily volatility; calm mornings give way to 30 to 38 mph afternoon gusts by late April. Crowding remains low (averaging 2.0 on the scale) because access requires multiday commitment and technical snow travel. Late spring and early summer are transition periods; snow stability degrades after 10 a.m. on sunny days. By late September and October, the peak attracts more day-trippers from the Mineral King corridor, but snow can return without warning into early June.
This location suits ski tourers comfortable with avalanche terrain assessment, experienced mountaineers seeking high-elevation passes, and summer backpackers linking the McGee Lakes basin to the Kings-Kern Divide. Winter and spring visitors must carry avalanche safety gear and understand the exposure: the pass and summit are fully committed terrain. Expect to find water sources only after snowmelt begins in earnest; spring ascents require substantial water carry or snow-melting capacity. Parking at the McGee Lakes trailhead fills quickly on weekends once the Mineral King Road opens; mid-week visits reduce congestion and allow safer avalanche observation of the upper basins.
McGee Lakes Pass North compares to nearby Sawtooth Pass (12,343 feet) and Keeler Pass (11,760 feet) in exposure and snow-loading patterns. The McGee Lakes drainage is less crowded than the Mineral King cirques directly to the south, but avalanche hazard is comparable. Visitors pairing McGee Lakes Pass North with adjacent drainages should account for wind funneling through the main divide; the east and north aspects warm faster in late spring, accelerating slough and loose-wet avalanche risk. Winter approaches are rarely attempted; late May and June offer the best window for climbers with solid snow sense.