Grizzly Pass
Peak · 8,401 ft · Yosemite corridor
Grizzly Pass sits at 8,401 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A windswept alpine saddle between drainages, it offers exposure typical of high-country passes but lower crowds than valley-floor routes.
Wind funnels through the pass on most afternoons, pushing gusts to 25 mph by mid-day. Morning conditions are notably calmer. Snowpack lingers into late spring; avalanche terrain dominates the approach. Expect cold temperatures and rapid weather shifts.
Over the last 30 days, Grizzly Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 32.0 with average wind of 9 mph and typical temperatures near 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will track the seasonal transition from winter to spring conditions. Watch for afternoon wind spikes and lingering snow instability on steep slopes.
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About Grizzly Pass
Grizzly Pass is a high-alpine saddle at 8,401 feet along the main ridgeline of the Yosemite corridor in the central Sierra Nevada. Access is via Highway 120 (Tioga Road) as the primary gateway; the pass lies east of Yosemite Valley and north of the Mono Basin. The location sits in avalanche terrain managed by the Sierra Avalanche Center. Traffic and parking are minimal due to low base popularity (0.2) and remote positioning; most visitors approach via backcountry ski or scramble routes from staging areas near Tenaya Lake or the Tioga Pass corridor. Winter and early spring require avalanche beacon and probe skills.
Conditions at Grizzly Pass are dominated by alpine exposure and seasonal snowpack. The 30-day average wind is 9 mph, but gusts reach 25 mph in the rolling 30-day and 365-day maxima, typically in the afternoon. Average temperature over the last month is 30 degrees Fahrenheit; the rolling year shows a span from 17 degrees Fahrenheit (winter low) to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (spring high). Crowding averages 3.0 (very low), reflecting the backcountry nature of the site. Late spring brings rapid snowmelt and rising avalanche danger on steep gullies. Summer sees calmer winds and stable conditions but also the highest foot traffic. Early season (before Highway 120 opens) means snow blockage and full winter hazards.
Grizzly Pass suits experienced mountaineers, backcountry skiers, and ridge-walkers comfortable with avalanche terrain and self-rescue. Day visitors typically arrive mid-morning to avoid afternoon wind, which accelerates after 2 p.m. and peaks in the 4 to 6 p.m. window. Winter and spring visits demand avalanche education; recent snowfall and steep north-facing drainages create unstable conditions. Parking at nearby staging areas fills slowly except during holiday weekends after Highway 120 opens. Bring layers; temperature can drop 30 degrees Fahrenheit between valley floor and pass elevation. Water is snowmelt-dependent; filtered or treated sources are essential.
Nearby alternatives include Cathedral Range peaks to the west and the gentler approach via Tenaya Lake to the south. Visitors comfortable with slightly lower elevation and easier access often pivot to Yosemite Valley rim routes or Mono Pass further east. Grizzly Pass is best paired with multi-day traverses rather than isolated day trips; the remote location and avalanche exposure reward route planning and group experience. The pass marks a natural high point on longer ridge and backcountry ski tours through the Yosemite corridor.