Muir Pass
Peak · 11,955 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Muir Pass is an 11955-foot alpine pass in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of the Sierra Nevada. It commands the crest between Evolution Basin and the Muir Trail, sitting exposed to afternoon wind.
Muir Pass funnels wind off surrounding glacial terrain. Afternoon gusts climb fast, often reaching 20 to 30 mph by midday. Morning hours offer the calmest window. High elevation means temperatures lag 15 to 20 degrees below lower Sierra valleys, and snowpack persists late into summer.
Over the last 30 days, Muir Pass has averaged 11 mph wind and 19 degrees Fahrenheit, with afternoon peaks hitting 38 mph. The week ahead shows typical spring volatility: morning calms followed by afternoon strengthening. Plan early starts to avoid the afternoon surge.
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About Muir Pass
Muir Pass straddles the crest of the Kings Canyon and Sequoia backcountry at 11955 feet, connecting Evolution Basin to the east with Wanda Lake drainage to the west. The pass sits on the High Sierra Trail and the Muir Trail, two of California's most trafficked high-country routes. Primary access runs from Inyo National Forest trailheads near Bishop (Highway 395) to the east, or from Sequoia National Park's Lodgepole and Grant Grove areas to the west. The pass marks the watershed divide between the Kern River and the Mono Basin. Winter and early spring approach requires avalanche awareness; the pass collects wind-slabbed snow on north-facing slopes adjacent to the crest.
Conditions at Muir Pass are dominated by its exposed, high-altitude position. The 30-day rolling average wind is 11 mph, but afternoon funneling routinely pushes gusts to 38 mph or higher. Temperature averages 19 degrees Fahrenheit over rolling 30 days, with annual extremes ranging from 8 to 33 degrees. Afternoon wind typically builds by mid-morning and peaks between 1 and 4 p.m., particularly on clear days when thermal heating accelerates. Mornings before 9 a.m. are substantially calmer. Crowding remains light year-round (average 2.0 on rolling 30-day basis), reflecting the remote approach and high technical requirements. Snowpack typically lingers until late July; earlier-season visitors should expect postholing and avalanche terrain.
Muir Pass suits experienced backpackers and mountaineers comfortable with exposed alpine travel and self-rescue. The pass is a natural waypoint on multi-day High Sierra traverses rather than a destination itself. Thru-hikers aiming for the pass should plan for an early departure from camp to cross before afternoon wind peaks. Solitude is typical; the pass sees a fraction of the traffic at Whitney or lower Sierra lakes. Exposure to wind means a lightweight shelter or wind-resistant clothing is essential. The area has no facilities; water comes from snowmelt and glacial sources, which are reliable but require careful filtration.
Nearby alternatives include Kearsarge Pass to the north (more popular, lower wind exposure) and Forester Pass to the south (higher elevation, more exposed). Evolution Basin to the east offers glacier views and lower-elevation camps for wind shelter. The pass compares to Tioga Pass in terms of wind severity and cold but sees a fraction of the summer vehicle traffic. Visitors exploring the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor often pair a Muir Pass crossing with a traverse of Evolution Basin or a descent to Wanda Lake for acclimatization and shelter.