Crocker Col
Peak · 11,958 ft · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Crocker Col sits at 11,958 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor, a high Sierra pass between Mammoth Crest and Crocker Mountain. Exposed and wind-prone, it demands timing discipline.
Wind dominates. The 30-day average runs 14 mph, with gusts to 39 mph funneling through the col from the west and southwest. Morning calm is brief; expect afternoon acceleration. Temperatures average 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure is near-total; there is no shelter.
The last 30 days averaged a NoGo Score of 37, with lows of 5 and peaks at 65. The 30-day average wind of 14 mph is typical for the col; maximum gusts have reached 39 mph. Crowding remains light. The week ahead will show whether high pressure holds or whether low-pressure systems drive scores higher. Watch the wind component closely; it is the dominant constraint.
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About Crocker Col
Crocker Col is a 11,958-foot pass on the Sierra crest between Mammoth Crest to the north and Crocker Mountain to the south. Access is primarily from the Mammoth Lakes region via the High Sierra Camps route or technical approaches from the Lake George drainage to the east. The col sits roughly 25 miles west of US 395 near Mammoth Lakes. Winter approach requires avalanche terrain awareness; the col feeds into slides draining toward Lake George. Summer and early fall approaches are snow-free but exposed and wind-scoured.
Conditions at Crocker Col are driven by elevation and exposure. The annual temperature range spans 9 degrees Fahrenheit (minimum) to 36 degrees Fahrenheit (maximum); the 30-day average of 23 degrees reflects spring conditions. Wind is relentless. The 30-day average wind speed of 14 mph understates typical afternoon gusts; maximum readings touch 39 mph. Crowding averages 2.0 (very light). Spring and early summer see the most unstable weather; late September into early October often delivers the steadiest conditions and clearest views. Winter and early spring require avalanche assessment; the col's position above steep north-facing terrain makes it a natural gathering point for slabs.
Crocker Col draws mountaineers, peak baggers, and experienced Sierra traversers seeking high-country transit or summit closure. The lightweight popularity (base 0.2) reflects the technical and logistical demand. Parties heading here plan for predawn starts to beat afternoon wind. Water is scarce; carry sufficient supply. The col offers no camping and minimal shelter; it functions as a waypoint, not a destination. Snowpack lingers into June most years; late-season ascents (late August through September) avoid avalanche hazard and are more feasible for lighter-equipped parties. Winter and spring ascents demand crevasse and slide assessment.
Nearby peaks in the Mammoth corridor include Mammoth Crest (just north), Crocker Mountain (just south), and a network of high lakes and passes feeding the Mammoth Creek drainage. Parties comfortable with Crocker Col often pair it with traverses toward the Whitney Portal drainage to the south or loop climbs taking in neighboring 12,000-foot summits. For lower-altitude alternatives with similar Sierra crest character but less exposure and wind, the Reds Meadow and Lake Mary areas (south of Mammoth via Highway 203) offer established trails and more predictable afternoon weather. The col is a climber's destination, not a hike-up venue.