Graveyard Pass
Peak · 10,859 ft · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Graveyard Pass sits at 10,859 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor, a high Sierra peak exposed to strong afternoon wind and avalanche terrain. Best visited on calm mornings before lake-effect gusts arrive.
Wind funnels up from the Mammoth basin by mid-afternoon, with gusts common after 2 p.m. Morning hours offer the most stable conditions. Avalanche terrain requires snowpack assessment; late-season corn and wet-slab instability demand care. Temperature averages 25°F over the past month.
The 30-day average wind of 12 mph masks afternoon spikes to 36 mph; NoGo Score averages 36 over the same window, with lows of 5 on settled days. The week ahead will show whether spring warming continues to stabilize the snowpack or trigger further instability cycles typical of high Sierra April conditions.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Graveyard Pass
Graveyard Pass crowns the ridge dividing the Mammoth basin from the Inyo National Forest backcountry, roughly 8 miles west of the town of Mammoth Lakes via Highway 395. The pass sits on the boundary between the Inyo and Sierra Nevada high country, accessed via climbing routes from the Mammoth Pass trailhead or the higher lakes circuit. Elevation of 10,859 feet places it above most afternoon thermal mixing, but exposure to westerly flow from the Sierra crest and lake-effect acceleration off Mammoth Lake make it a wind magnet. Parties typically approach from the south via the lakes basin or from the north ridge traverse, both requiring solid navigation and pack weight management on talus and snow.
Winter and spring dominate Graveyard Pass activity. Snowpack builds by late November and persists into early June; the 30-day average temperature of 25°F reflects typical April conditions, when corn cycles and wind-slab instability peak. The 30-day rolling average wind of 12 mph is conservative; sustained afternoon gusts exceed 30 mph on most days, with recorded maxima of 36 mph common. Crowding remains light due to access difficulty and avalanche hazard; the 30-day average crowding score of 2 means you will rarely encounter other parties. Late September through October offer a brief shoulder season of stable conditions and minimal snow, though afternoon wind remains a factor. Summer is generally windier and less stable than the transitional seasons.
Graveyard Pass suits experienced mountaineers and ski mountaineers familiar with avalanche terrain and high-altitude navigation. Scrambling and peak-bagging in the fall find stable, dry rock; spring skiers target corn snow and steep northeasterly aspects. Parties should check ESAC avalanche forecasts and be proficient with snow profiles; wet-slab and cornice-fall hazards dominate the pass itself and surrounding terrain. Plan for a pre-dawn start to summit by mid-morning before wind peaks. Parking at the Mammoth Pass trailhead fills quickly on weekends; early arrival (before 7 a.m.) is essential in spring. Winter ascents require glacier travel experience and awareness of crevasse danger on the upper basin.
Nearby alternatives include Mammoth Crest to the north (slightly lower, more accessible) and the Inyo Crags to the east (less avalanche exposure, popular with climbers). The Mammoth Lakes corridor funnels foot and ski traffic; Graveyard Pass remains quieter due to sustained wind and technical approach. Visitors planning a multi-day Sierra traverse often include the pass as a waypoint rather than a destination, pairing it with the Mammoth Pass saddle to the south or the Red and White Lakes basin to the southwest for shelter and water.