Fredonyer Pass
Peak · 5,751 ft · North Sierra corridor
Fredonyer Pass is a 5751-foot peak in the North Sierra corridor where Highway 395 crosses the range. Spring and early summer offer the most stable conditions and lowest wind exposure.
Wind typically averages 9 mph but can spike to 21 mph in afternoon hours. Cold, thin air dominates spring; temperature swings between morning frost and midday melt are sharp. Morning calm breaks by late afternoon, especially on exposed ridges.
Over the past 30 days, Fredonyer Pass averaged a NoGo score of 35.0 with temperatures holding near 40°F and wind at 9 mph. The week ahead shows typical spring volatility; plan morning trips to catch the lowest wind window, and watch the chart for afternoon deterioration after 2 pm.
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About Fredonyer Pass
Fredonyer Pass sits on US Highway 395 roughly 75 miles north of Reno, Nevada, serving as the primary high-desert crossing in the North Sierra corridor. The pass marks the transition between the Great Basin and the western Sierra slopes. Access is straightforward via Highway 395 northbound from Susanville or southbound from Modoc Plateau communities. At 5751 feet, it sits lower than many central Sierra passes but still experiences significant seasonal snowpack and wind funneling through the valley drainage.
Spring conditions at Fredonyer Pass are dominated by rapid warming cycles and afternoon wind acceleration. The 30-day average wind of 9 mph masks diurnal swings; gusts routinely climb to 21 mph by mid-afternoon as thermal heating strengthens upslope flow from the east. Temperature averages near 40°F but extremes span 28°F in early morning to 58°F on south-facing slopes by late afternoon. Snowpack persists into May at the crest and higher; wet-slab conditions develop fast once solar heating begins around 10 am. Crowding remains light through spring, peaking only after Highway 395 corridor tourism ramps in early summer.
Fredonyer Pass suits winter mountaineers, spring ski tourers, and summer ridge walkers who tolerate exposed, wind-prone terrain. Avalanche terrain exists on the steeper eastern approaches; spring travel requires careful snowpack assessment from the Sacramento Avalanche Center and timing to avoid wet-slab formation. Experienced hikers plan for the 9 mph baseline wind and account for afternoon gusts that can exceed 20 mph; exposed ridges offer no shelter. Vehicle traffic on Highway 395 is steady year-round; parking at the pass itself is minimal, forcing most visitors to use pullouts 2 to 3 miles north or south.
Modoc Plateau peaks to the northeast offer similar elevation and slightly calmer wind patterns in the lee of the high crest. Lassen Volcanic National Park lies south and presents lower elevation volcanic terrain with more predictable summer weather. The rim of Eagle Lake, roughly 30 miles northwest, provides an alternative basin-floor route for those seeking to avoid high-elevation exposure. Winter travelers should verify Highway 395 status with Caltrans; the pass rarely closes but chains are required during snowstorms.