Silver Divide Peak
Peak · 12,237 ft · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Silver Divide Peak sits at 12,237 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high alpine traverse with significant avalanche terrain, it rewards calm winter and spring mornings.
Wind accelerates through the divide by mid-afternoon, funneling off the high saddle to the east. Morning calm typically holds until 10:00 AM. Snowpack stability is the governing constraint; cornices build on the lee slope.
Over the past 30 days, Silver Divide Peak averaged 15 mph wind with a 30-day average temperature of 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The rolling score of 36 reflects intermittent avalanche hazard and afternoon wind gusts that peaked at 43 mph. Plan ascents for early morning when wind and crowding remain lowest.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Silver Divide Peak
Silver Divide Peak anchors the high-altitude ridge country between the Mammoth Lakes basin and the Inyo National Forest watershed. The peak sits on the Mammoth crest, accessible from US Highway 395 via Mammoth Lakes town (drive time 5 to 7 minutes from the main corridor). Winter and early spring approaches cross significant avalanche terrain; late spring and summer permit rock and scramble routes via established ridges. The peak commands views north to the Ritter Range and south toward the Sierra Crest.
Winter conditions dominate this elevation. The 30-day average temperature of 23 degrees Fahrenheit and rolling wind average of 15 mph mask afternoon gusts that routinely exceed 30 mph by 3:00 PM. Late September through early October deliver the most stable snow-free windows, when temperatures remain cool but afternoon wind remains predictable. Summer months bring thunderstorm risk by mid-afternoon; spring ascents demand daily avalanche consultation with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center. The low base popularity (0.2) reflects both the technical approach and committed snowpack monitoring requirement.
This peak suits experienced mountaineers and ski mountaineers with avalanche training and route-finding skills. Winter ascents require slope stability assessment, corniced ridge navigation, and retreat decision-making before 2:00 PM to avoid wind loading and whiteout conditions. Spring corn snow climbs appeal to skiers comfortable with north-facing descents. Summer is rare; afternoon instability and exposed scrambling terrain limit windows. Parking at trailheads near Mammoth Lakes town fills fast on weekends; midweek ascents encounter minimal traffic and permit flexible timing.
Climbers weighing alternatives often compare Silver Divide Peak to nearby Ritter Peak (12,172 feet) and Banner Peak (12,945 feet), both more popular and with steeper rock sections. The Inyo National Forest boundary and protected wilderness designation constrain helicopter access and overnight infrastructure. Water sources remain limited above 11,000 feet; plan self-sufficiency. Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center forecasts (published daily in winter and spring) are non-optional; this peak sits in active slide paths triggered by wind loading and rapid temperature swings.