Bighorn Pass
Peak · 11,250 ft · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Bighorn Pass sits at 11,250 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor, a high Sierra pass with avalanche terrain and strong afternoon wind exposure. Winter and spring crossings demand avalanche awareness.
Wind averages 15 mph across the rolling 30 days and often accelerates through the day. Morning calm gives way to funnel-like gusts by mid-afternoon, particularly when high-pressure systems stall over the Sierra. Temperature hovers near 23 degrees Fahrenheit on average; snow and rime are the rule above 11,000 feet.
The 30-day average wind of 15 mph underscores Bighorn Pass as an exposed, often-turbulent crossing. Recent weeks have tracked close to the year-round pattern: low crowding (averaging 2.0), temperatures in the low 20s Fahrenheit, and peak gusts up to 43 mph. The week ahead favours early departure; later daylight hours will bring stronger afternoon thermals and wind.
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About Bighorn Pass
Bighorn Pass is a high-elevation saddle in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's central Sierra Nevada, accessed primarily from the Mammoth Lakes basin to the east via the Reds Meadow Road and trail systems, or from the west via Highway 395 near Mammoth Lakes proper. The pass sits astride the Sierra crest and commands drainage toward both the Owens Valley and the Middle Fork San Joaquin watershed. This is not a casual stroll; the approach crosses talus and scree at altitude, and winter and spring travel requires competence with avalanche terrain and snow rescue.
Bighorn Pass conditions swing sharply with season and time of day. The 30-day rolling average wind of 15 mph and maximum gust of 43 mph are typical for spring; wind is lower in early summer after snowmelt and higher again in autumn. Temperature runs well below freezing year-round, averaging 23 degrees Fahrenheit in the rolling 30-day window and ranging from a 365-day low of 10 degrees to a high of 36 degrees. Crowding is minimal, averaging 2.0 on the NoGo scale, because the pass is remote and requires committed approach hiking. Late afternoon is reliably windier than morning; plan to summit or cross in the first half of the day.
Bighorn Pass suits experienced backcountry travellers and peak baggers who accept avalanche risk and high-altitude exposure. Winter crossers must check the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center forecast, understand slab propagation, and carry rescue gear. Summer hikers will encounter snow patches into July depending on the water year. Parking near Reds Meadow Road fills on warm weekends, but the pass itself sees few visitors because the approach is steep and unpaved. If you are acclimatized to high elevation and comfortable with exposed talus, head early to avoid afternoon wind and afternoon cumulus storms common in summer.
The Mammoth Lakes corridor offers adjacent high-pass alternatives: Kearsarge Pass (to the north, often lower avalanche exposure in spring) and Muir Trail Pass (south, similar altitude and remoteness). Bighorn Pass is steeper and less-travelled than either, making it suitable for parties seeking solitude or avoiding crowds on more popular crossings. The Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center covers this terrain; consult their forecast before any winter or spring approach.