Garnet Pass
Peak · 10,137 ft · Yosemite corridor
Garnet Pass is a 10,137-foot Sierra Nevada summit in the Yosemite corridor, sitting at the edge of high alpine terrain. Wind and exposure define the experience here.
Wind accelerates across the exposed ridge. Mornings stay relatively calm; afternoon gusts arrive by mid-day and build through late afternoon. Temperature swings are sharp at elevation. Snowpack, when present, tends toward wind-loaded slopes that can slide without warning.
Over the last 30 days, Garnet Pass has averaged 12 mph wind and 22°F with a NoGo Score of 33, indicating moderately challenging conditions half the time. The week ahead will continue this pattern: expect afternoon winds to exceed 15 mph most days, with temperatures hovering near or below freezing. Winter and spring are the dominant seasons for avalanche risk; assess snowpack stability before ascending into terrain traps on the north and east faces.
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About Garnet Pass
Garnet Pass sits at 10,137 feet in the high Sierra, roughly 60 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley via Highway 120 and the Tioga Pass corridor. The pass is accessed primarily from the eastern Sierra approach or as part of multi-day Sierra Nevada traverses originating from the west slope. No maintained shelter or services exist on or near the pass itself; all resupply and overnight lodging require planning a day or more of travel away. The pass marks a transition zone between the dense lodgepole forests of the western Sierra and the more open, windswept terrain of the high plateau to the east.
Garnet Pass experiences sustained wind with a rolling 30-day average of 12 mph and gusts reaching 33 mph. Winter and early spring bring the deepest snow; the 365-day temperature range spans 8°F to 33°F, reflecting the extreme seasonal shift. Late September through early November offers the most stable conditions, with fewer storms and moderating winds. By late autumn, snow consolidates and avalanche hazard drops, though afternoon wind remains the dominant constraint. Summer (June through August) brings nearly ideal conditions if the route is accessible, but early season access is gatekeeping dependent on snowpack and road openings.
Garnet Pass suits experienced high-alpine hikers and mountaineers accustomed to navigation without trail markers and rapid weather shifts. The 3.0 rolling average crowding score reflects very light use; solitude is near-certain. Afternoon wind is the single largest trip-planning variable; head out before dawn if wind speeds exceed 20 mph in the forecast. Winter and early spring approaches require avalanche education and beacon/probe/shovel proficiency. Exposure on the ridge itself is moderate but real; a fall on ice or hard snow carries serious consequences. Parking at trailheads fills slowly; overnight crowds are negligible.
Nearby alternatives include Cathedral Peak, Cockscomb Pass, and the Yosemite high country accessible from Tuolumne Meadows. Cathedral Peak offers similar elevation and exposure with marginally better trail infrastructure. Cockscomb Pass sits slightly lower and slightly west, often experiencing slightly calmer afternoon conditions due to orographic shielding. Both share Garnet Pass's avalanche exposure and exposure to wind. The Tioga Pass corridor (Highway 120) is the primary access artery; check CalTrans closures and road conditions before committing to a trip. Late season (mid-September onward) is safest; winter access requires avalanche awareness and preparedness for whiteout conditions.