Mount Maddox
Peak · 9,665 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Mount Maddox is a 9,665 ft peak in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high-elevation summit with significant avalanche terrain, it sits sheltered from the worst afternoon winds but requires careful snow assessment in spring.
Wind averages 7 mph across the rolling 30-day window but can spike to 21 mph by afternoon as thermals climb the east face. Morning calm typically holds until mid-day. Spring snow creates steep, cross-loaded slopes on north and west aspects; probe and assess before committing to any crossing.
Over the past 30 days, Mount Maddox averaged a NoGo Score of 36, with temperatures hovering near 31 degrees and average wind at 7 mph. The week ahead shows typical spring variability; watch for afternoon gusts and monitor snowpack stability on upper slopes. Crowding remains low (average 2.0) due to access difficulty and avalanche hazard awareness.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Mount Maddox
Mount Maddox stands in the high Sierra between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, accessed primarily from the Highway 180 corridor near Cedar Grove or via High Sierra Camp routes from the east. The peak sits at the headwaters of Moro Creek, a tributary system that drains north toward Kings Canyon. Approach typically requires a multi-day backpacking effort or technical scrambling from established camps. Winter and spring approach demands avalanche awareness; the surrounding terrain is steep, high-alpine, and prone to wet-slab instability as temperatures climb.
Mount Maddox experiences a compressed climbing season. Over the rolling 365-day span, temperatures swing from 15 degrees Fahrenheit in deep winter to 47 degrees in midsummer; the 30-day rolling average sits at 31 degrees, reflecting spring conditions where snow is still thick above 9,000 ft. Average wind across 30 days is 7 mph, but gusts regularly reach 21 mph, particularly in afternoon hours as heated air masses collide with the Sierra crest. Crowding averages 2.0 (very light), reflecting the technical nature of the approach and the avalanche terrain that demands winter and early-spring caution. Late June through September offers the safest window, with snow mostly consolidated and daytime temperatures near or above freezing.
Mount Maddox attracts experienced mountaineers, high-country backpackers, and climbers seeking remote summit access. Visitors should plan for self-sufficiency: water sources are snowmelt and seasonal creeks, and there are no established shelters or services within 10 miles. Anyone approaching in spring must carry avalanche safety gear (probe, shovel, beacon), understand terrain assessment, and monitor ESAC advisories. Afternoon wind and exposure on the upper slopes demand an early start and weather discipline; turnaround by early afternoon to avoid high-wind descent. The low crowding score makes midweek travel indistinguishable from weekends, but snow conditions and daylight length shift rapidly across the spring-to-summer transition.
Nearby alternatives include Mount Whitney (14,505 ft, to the south) and the high peaks of the Kearsarge Pass corridor (to the north near Independence). Mount Whitney offers more established routes and higher summit prominence but draws far heavier crowds. The Kearsarge peaks provide similar elevation and alpine character with slightly better year-round access. For those planning a multi-peak traverse, Mount Maddox sits naturally on high-country loops connecting the Moro Creek basin to Big Five Lakes or the Kettle Ridge; pair it with lower-elevation camps to manage avalanche exposure and water availability.