Powell-Thompson Col
Peak · 12,719 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Powell-Thompson Col is a 12,719-foot pass in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of the Sierra Nevada, straddling the crest between high alpine basins. Snow and exposure define the approach.
Wind accelerates through the col by mid-afternoon, pushing gusts to 24 mph in the 30-day window. Morning calm is the rule; 9 mph average wind means afternoons turn hostile. Expect steep snow and avalanche terrain through spring.
Over the last 30 days, Powell-Thompson Col has averaged 36 on the NoGo Score with an average wind of 9 mph and temperatures holding near 28 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will track current patterns: mornings remain climbable, afternoons tighten. Crowding stays low at an average of 2, typical for a high-altitude col with avalanche exposure.
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About Powell-Thompson Col
Powell-Thompson Col sits at the boundary between the Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park zones, accessed via Highway 180 from the west or Highway 395 from the east. The col connects the Cartridge Creek and Powell drainages and demands a high-Sierra approach typically from the Kearsarge Pass trailhead or via the Shepherd Pass route. Elevation gain and snow cover make this a destination for experienced mountaineers and ski traversers, not casual hikers. Drive times from Lone Pine or Three Rivers run 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on road conditions and seasonal closures.
Spring and early summer are dominated by snowpack and avalanche risk; the col sits in steep terrain vulnerable to wet-slab slides as temperatures rise. The 30-day average temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit reflects persistent snow cover. Wind averages 9 mph but peaks at 24 mph in afternoon hours, consistent with crest funneling. Summer brings faster melt-out, lower avalanche hazard, and more stable weather by late July. Fall sees dry conditions and calm mornings before winter snow returns. Crowding remains minimal year-round at an average of 2 because access requires mountaineering skill and permit coordination.
Powell-Thompson Col is best for ski mountaineers, high-Sierra traversers, and peak-baggers with winter travel and avalanche assessment skills. Plan for pre-dawn starts to avoid afternoon wind and use the calm morning window. Consult the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center for snowpack stability before committing. Carry GPS and maps; the col is unmarked and navigation is critical in poor visibility. Winter ascents demand ice axe, crampons, and belay equipment. Summer climbers should verify snow conditions at the trailhead ranger station and expect lingering snowfields above 11,000 feet.
Nearby Kearsarge Pass and Shepherd Pass offer similar high-Sierra terrain with slightly lower elevation and better-established routes. The col itself is less crowded than either neighbor because the approach is steeper and the payoff less iconic. Guides and mountaineering clubs familiar with the Kings-Kern Divide and the Kaweah Peaks typically use Powell-Thompson as part of longer traverses, not as a standalone objective. Winter conditions here are more severe than Tioga Pass crossings to the north; expect wind-loaded cornices and sastrugi.