Koip Peak Pass
Peak · 12,280 ft · Yosemite corridor
Koip Peak Pass is a 12,280-foot alpine crossing in the Yosemite corridor of the Sierra Nevada. Exposed ridgeline terrain funnels wind and requires solid route-finding in winter and early spring.
Wind averages 13 mph but regularly spikes to 40 mph, especially afternoons. Cold persists; the 30-day average is 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Approach from the east via Tioga Pass Road (Highway 120) and expect avalanche terrain on the north and west aspects of the pass itself.
The 30-day average wind of 13 mph and temperature of 18 degrees Fahrenheit characterize this high-altitude crossing. Crowding remains light at 3.0 on the rolling 30-day average. Wind gusts have reached 40 mph in the past month. The week ahead will likely continue this pattern of cold, windy conditions typical of late-spring Sierra passes.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Koip Peak Pass
Koip Peak Pass sits at 12,280 feet on the Yosemite corridor's eastern flank, accessible via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road) from Lee Vining. The pass serves hikers and mountaineers traversing the High Sierra backcountry between the Mono Basin and Yosemite National Park. The primary approach is from the Tioga Pass entrance; the pass itself sits roughly 13 miles north-northwest of the pass gate. Winter and spring access requires avalanche awareness and snowpack assessment through the SAC (Sierra Avalanche Center) forecast.
At 12,280 feet, Koip Peak Pass experiences alpine weather year-round. The 30-day rolling average temperature stands at 18 degrees Fahrenheit with frequent wind averaging 13 mph; gusts regularly exceed 30 mph and have reached 40 mph over the past month. Afternoon wind is the dominant pattern. Snowpack begins substantial retreat in late May and the pass becomes passable without crampons by late June. Crowding averages 3.0 on the rolling 30-day metric, reflecting the low overall popularity of this technical traverse compared to the Valley or popular eastern Sierra trailheads.
Koip Peak Pass is best suited for experienced mountaineers comfortable with exposure, scrambling, and self-rescue. Winter and spring visitors must assess avalanche terrain carefully; the pass saddle and surrounding ridges are prone to wind-loaded slabs and sun-cupped snow. Summer and early fall offer the safest window but afternoon wind and temperature swings require an early start and descent by early afternoon. Parking at Tioga Pass is limited; arrive early on weekends. Cache water or plan for meltwater sources; the pass itself is typically dry.
Nearby Mono Pass and Parker Pass offer alternative high crossings in the same drainage system. Mono Pass is lower and slightly less exposed but shares the same afternoon wind and cold-temperature regime. Visitors targeting the Cathedral Range peaks or the High Sierra Camps loop frequently use Koip Peak Pass as a linking point rather than a destination. The SAC avalanche forecast should be consulted before every winter and spring ascent.