Clinch Pass
Peak · 11,503 ft · Yosemite corridor
Clinch Pass is an 11,503-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Sit exposed to wind funnel effects from the surrounding high-Sierra terrain, making conditions volatile and timing critical.
Wind dominates the pass, averaging 12 mph over the last 30 days but spiking to 33 mph on exposed ridges. Cold holds firm; expect 22 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Morning calm windows close by midday as thermal heating pushes air upslope. Check wind direction before committing.
Over the last 30 days, Clinch Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 33, with wind holding at 12 mph and temperature sitting at 22 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will track seasonal warming and increasing afternoon gusts typical of late-spring high-Sierra passes. Watch the rolling 7-day forecast closely; a single wind spike can shift a good day to marginal.
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About Clinch Pass
Clinch Pass straddles the Yosemite corridor in California's central Sierra Nevada at 11,503 feet. Access is primarily via Highway 120 from the west (Tioga Road), with the pass sitting in the high-country drainage system between the main crest and the Mono Basin. The nearest gateway towns are Lee Vining to the east and Crane Flat to the west, each 45 to 60 minutes' drive. Snow typically blocks the pass from November through April; confirm Highway 120 status before committing, especially in shoulder season. The approach is high-altitude and exposed, with limited shelter once above tree line.
Clinch Pass sits in a frost-driven regime where the 30-day average temperature of 22 degrees Fahrenheit reflects spring snowmelt conditions at elevation. Winter avalanche terrain is significant; the SAC avalanche center covers this zone. By late September, temperatures climb toward 33 degrees on warm afternoons, and wind patterns stabilize slightly as the year cools. Crowding remains sparse at a 30-day average of 3 on the NoGo scale, meaning foot traffic is minimal compared to lower Yosemite destinations. The real constraint is weather: wind regularly exceeds 12 mph, and 33 mph gusts are frequent enough to force retreat. Afternoon thermals accelerate wind by 2 to 4 pm; mornings are consistently calmer.
Clinch Pass suits experienced mountaineers and ridge walkers comfortable with exposure and cold. The peak is a scramble rather than a technical climb, but the weather volatility and high-altitude terrain filter casual visitors. Plan for 2 to 3 hours of daylight buffer above your turnaround time; descent in fading light on an exposed ridge is dangerous. Bring layers even in late spring; temperature swings of 20 to 30 degrees between sun and shade are routine. Avalanche awareness is mandatory in winter and early spring; boot-pack the approach and watch for wind-slab development on north-facing slopes. Parking at the trailhead fills early on weekends when Highway 120 is open; arrive before 8 am or plan a weekday ascent.
Nearby Tioga Pass, to the south, offers lower-elevation entry to the Mono Basin and sees higher traffic. Ten Lakes, west of Clinch Pass, sits in more sheltered forest and is less wind-prone but still subject to spring snow. The Cathedral Range peaks immediately west present similar exposure and conditions. Compare wind and temperature data across all three before choosing; a 2 mph difference in sustained wind makes a measurable difference in effort and safety at this elevation. Clinch Pass is best paired with a descent via the same route or a loop that avoids the exposed ridges during peak afternoon wind.