Silliman Pass
Peak · 10,173 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Silliman Pass sits at 10,173 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high alpine crossing with avalanche terrain, it demands winter caution and rewards late-season visitors with solitude.
Wind averages 7 mph but can exceed 20 mph in afternoon thermals. Temperature hovers near freezing in the rolling 30-day window (avg 31 F), making snowpack character critical. Morning calm gives way to gusts by midday. Watch for cornices and wind-loaded slopes on the approach.
Over the last 30 days, Silliman Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 36 with wind at 7 mph and temperature at 31 F. Crowding remains minimal (avg 2). The week ahead will track seasonal melt patterns and afternoon wind spikes; check avalanche stability before any winter or early-spring ascent.
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About Silliman Pass
Silliman Pass is a high alpine col on the Kings Canyon and Sequoia backcountry frontier, reached via the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow or the Roaring River drainage. At 10,173 feet, it sits in the avalanche terrain of the Eastern Sierra crest zone. Access requires either a multi-day backpack or a serious day-hike commitment from Highway 198 gateways near Visalia. Winter and early spring approaches demand avalanche education and current snowpack reports from the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC).
Conditions at Silliman Pass are governed by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average temperature of 31 F and wind of 7 mph mask afternoon thermals that regularly push gusts to 21 mph or higher. Snowpack persists longer here than in lower Kings Canyon drainages. Late September through early October typically brings stable snow and clear days; winter and spring require constant avalanche vigilance. Crowding remains light year-round (avg 2 on the rolling index), a function of distance and technical terrain.
Silliman Pass suits experienced mountaineers and ski mountaineers comfortable with avalanche terrain and self-rescue. Summer visitors find a stark, windy crossing with minimal water and few bailout options. Winter ascents demand rope skills and current slope-stability assessment. Solo travel is discouraged given remoteness and avalanche exposure. Most ascents occur as part of a larger Sierra traverse or as a technical ski descent in stable conditions. Reliable parking exists at Crescent Meadow (Highway 198 corridor) but fills on good-weather weekends.
Nearby Kearsarge Pass and Shepherd Pass offer similar elevation and alpine character but with better-established trails. Inyo National Forest peaks to the east (Kaweah Crest, Kern Plateau drainages) share the avalanche terrain and wind patterns. Visitors comparing Silliman Pass to more crowded Sierra Nevada crossings (Kearsarge, Muir Pass) find isolation here; the trade-off is longer approach and steeper avalanche consequence. Check ESAC forecasts and coordinate with local ranger stations before planning any winter or spring trip.