Duck Pass
Peak · 10,800 ft · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Duck Pass is a 10,800-foot alpine peak in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of the Sierra Nevada, sitting at the headwaters of the Owens River drainage. Wind exposure and avalanche terrain define the approach.
Duck Pass funnels wind from the northwest into early afternoon, with gusts climbing rapidly after 11 a.m. Cold air pooling at elevation keeps temperatures near freezing through spring. Morning calm gives way to sustained wind by midday; experienced parties aim for pre-dawn starts.
Over the past 30 days, Duck Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 36 with wind running 12 mph and temperatures holding at 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Maximum wind hit 31 mph; minimum score dropped to 5. The week ahead should follow similar patterns. Early mornings remain the window for stable conditions before afternoon wind and exposure become severe.
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About Duck Pass
Duck Pass sits at 10,800 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor, accessed via the Mammoth Lakes Road (Highway 203) from U.S. Route 395 near the town of Mammoth Lakes. The primary trailhead sits near Duck Lake in the Mammoth Lakes basin. This is high-Sierra terrain; the pass drains into both the Owens River and high-country snowmelt systems. The approach crosses sustained avalanche terrain, particularly in winter and spring when snowpack is heavy and unstable.
Conditions at Duck Pass are dominated by wind funneling down from the Sierra crest and temperature inversion patterns typical of high-altitude basins. The rolling 30-day average wind is 12 mph, but afternoon gusts reach 31 mph regularly. Temperatures average 31 degrees Fahrenheit in the current window and range from 17 to 47 degrees across the year. Spring sees wet-slab risk as snowpack consolidates; early summer brings wind-slab development. Crowding remains low (2.0 average on the rolling 30-day window) because approach distance and exposure filter casual visitors.
Duck Pass suits experienced alpine hikers, ski mountaineers, and climbers comfortable with avalanche terrain assessment and self-rescue. The pass is best for parties with early-morning discipline; afternoon wind can exceed safe climbing conditions within minutes. Snow-covered approaches require winter gear, beacon, probe, and shovel through late spring. The isolated basin means no cell service and rescue response times of hours. Parking at the Mammoth Lakes trailhead fills quickly on weekend mornings.
Nearby alternatives include Reds Meadow and Minaret Lake, which offer lower elevation and reduced avalanche exposure but higher crowds during peak season. The Duck Pass drainage is wetter and more snow-prone than the Mammoth Crest to the north. For climbers seeking safer alpine access in the same corridor, Banner Peak and Mount Ritter sit south and offer better shelter from westerly wind, though they demand scrambling experience.