Jawbone Pass
Peak · 6,298 ft · Yosemite corridor
Jawbone Pass is a 6298-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A moderate, snow-exposed crossing in the high country, it serves backcountry travelers moving between the eastern Sierra and Tuolumne Meadows.
Wind averages 7 mph but gusts to 14 mph in afternoon flow off the high plateaus. Exposure increases rapidly above treeline. Morning calm typically breaks by early afternoon. Snow persists into late spring; frozen ground and avalanche terrain demand early movement.
Over the last 30 days, Jawbone Pass has averaged a NoGo Score of 32 with temperatures near 44 degrees Fahrenheit and winds of 7 mph. The week ahead will test whether afternoon wind remains in the 7 to 14 mph range typical of the season. Crowding stays light, averaging 3 on the NoGo scale, but snow coverage and approach conditions drive most trip timing.
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About Jawbone Pass
Jawbone Pass sits at 6298 feet in the Yosemite corridor, straddling the spine of the Sierra Nevada's high country. The pass connects the eastern Sierra to the Tuolumne Meadows region and serves as a through-route for backcountry ski and foot traffic. Primary access is from the east via US Highway 395, with secondary approaches from Tuolumne Meadows via Highway 120. The pass itself lies above treeline on exposed, rolling terrain. Gateway towns to the east include Lee Vining and Bishop; from the west, Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows provide staging points. Drive times from Bishop to the eastern trailhead run roughly 90 minutes; from Tuolumne Meadows, approach time varies sharply with snow depth.
Jawbone Pass experiences pronounced seasonal character. Winter and spring are dominated by snowpack, with avalanche terrain common and stable-snow windows brief. The 30-day average temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit reflects the shoulder seasons; mid-winter temperatures drop well below freezing, while high summer approaches 62 degrees. Wind averages 7 mph but gusts regularly to 14 mph, typical of high-Sierra exposure where afternoon thermal flow accelerates as the day warms. Crowding remains minimal year-round, averaging 3 on the NoGo scale, because the pass demands solid snow-travel skill and route-finding. The low base popularity reflects its backcountry-only access and technical nature.
Jawbone Pass is best suited for experienced ski mountaineers and winter-trained hikers with avalanche awareness. The place attracts parties crossing the Sierra for multi-day ski tours or thru-hikes, not day-trippers. Plan around three key constraints: snowpack stability and depth, afternoon wind exposure, and parking scarcity at trailheads. Parties typically depart at first light to clear the pass before afternoon wind builds. Avalanche terrain is significant; check the SAC avalanche center forecast before any winter or spring approach. Summer and early autumn offer the safest travel window, though snow can linger into late spring above 6000 feet. Lighting and footing degrade rapidly after mid-afternoon.
Nearby high passes in the Yosemite corridor include Donohue Pass and Glen Aulin, both accessible from Tuolumne Meadows and offering similar high-country exposure. Tioga Pass, further south on Highway 120, sits lower and opens earlier in the season. Parties often pair Jawbone Pass with a multi-day Sierra crossing, making it one waypoint in a longer ski tour or backpack rather than a destination in itself. The pass sits at the threshold of serious alpine terrain; familiarity with snowpack assessment, navigation off-trail, and self-rescue is non-negotiable.