Buckeye Pass
Peak · 9,573 ft · Yosemite corridor
Buckeye Pass is a 9573-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, sitting at the head of the Buckeye Creek drainage. Wind-exposed and avalanche terrain, it rewards early starts and stable snowpack.
Wind accelerates across the exposed ridgeline by mid-morning, funneling northeast down the drainage. The 30-day average wind of 13 mph masks afternoon gusts that regularly spike to 36 mph. Cold persists at elevation; mornings below freezing even in late spring. Head here before 10 a.m. if you're averse to wind.
Over the last 30 days, Buckeye Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 33 with temperatures around 25 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 13 mph. The week ahead will show typical late-season volatility: expect calm early windows, afternoon wind build, and lingering snow patches above 9000 feet. Winter and early-spring approaches require avalanche terrain awareness; consult the Sierra Avalanche Center for current snowpack stability.
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About Buckeye Pass
Buckeye Pass crowns the ridgeline between Buckeye Creek and Mono Lake's north arm, accessed via US Highway 395 from the east or Highway 120 from Yosemite Valley to the west. The pass sits roughly 45 minutes by car from Lee Vining and 90 minutes from the Highway 120 corridor. No maintained trail reaches the summit; most ascents follow the Buckeye Creek drainage or approach via the ridge from Mono Pass to the south. Snow-fed creeks and granite slabs define the approach; the pass itself offers no sheltered camp or reliable water source at the summit.
The 30-day average temperature of 25 degrees Fahrenheit reflects late-season cold at 9573 feet. Winter snowpack typically lingers into late spring, making the approach snow-dependent until early June. Afternoon winds average 13 mph but regularly gust to 36 mph by mid-day, channeled by the high-Sierra topography and funneling off the Mono Basin. Crowding averages 3 out of 10, partly because the pass lacks a marked trail and sits remote from valley-floor traffic. Summer brings warmer days (highs near 37 degrees Fahrenheit) but stronger wind from thunderstorm systems.
Buckeye Pass suits ridge walkers, scramblers, and climbers comfortable with avalanche terrain and route-finding. Experienced Sierra hikers planning an off-trail approach should carry a map, understand current snowpack from the Sierra Avalanche Center, and scout the drainage from a distance before committing. The peak pairs well with a multi-day traverse to Mono Pass or a loop via the Buckeye Hot Springs trailhead. Winter approaches demand technical skill and beacon discipline; spring ascents hinge on stable, consolidating snowpack.
Mono Pass (9620 feet) lies 6 miles south and sits on a more defined saddle with better views of the Mono Basin. Mount Dana (13,053 feet) dominates the western skyline and sees significantly higher traffic via the trailhead on Highway 120. Buckeye Pass trades the crowds and established trail access of those peaks for solitude, avalanche terrain, and unobstructed exposure to afternoon winds. Hikers seeking a lower-altitude, trail-marked alternative should consider the Buckeye Hot Springs approach from the Buckeye trailhead near Lee Vining.