McCabe Pass
Peak · 11,200 ft · Yosemite corridor
McCabe Pass is an 11,200-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high alpine crossing exposed to Sierra weather, it sits above timberline with minimal shelter from wind.
Wind dominates McCabe Pass. The 30-day average of 14 mph wind routinely spikes to 30 mph in afternoon hours as thermal circulation intensifies. Early morning conditions are markedly calmer. Expect significant snowpack through late spring; avalanche terrain requires constant assessment of slope stability and wind loading.
Over the last 30 days, McCabe Pass has averaged a NoGo Score of 32.0, with wind averaging 14 mph and temperatures holding near 24 degrees Fahrenheit. This reflects typical spring conditions at this elevation: afternoon wind surge, lingering snowpack, and low baseline crowding of 3.0. The week ahead will show similar patterns; monitor wind direction and temperature swings as the season transitions toward late spring.
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About McCabe Pass
McCabe Pass sits at 11,200 feet in the high Sierra Nevada within the Yosemite corridor, straddling the crest between the Mono Basin and the Yosemite high country. Access routes funnel through Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east, with trailheads and parking scattered across the Sierra. The pass lies in avalanche terrain classified by the Sierra Avalanche Center; winter and spring approaches demand reading current snowpack reports and understanding corniced ridges. At this elevation and aspect, snow persists well into late spring, and wind loading creates rapid changes in slope stability.
McCabe Pass sits at the intersection of competing weather regimes. The 30-day average temperature of 24 degrees Fahrenheit reflects persistent alpine winter conditions even in late spring. Wind averages 14 mph over the rolling month but peaks at 30 mph in the afternoon; morning crossings are materially calmer and safer. The rolling 365-day range spans 10 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit, capturing the full seasonal sweep from deep winter to early autumn. Crowding stays low at a 30-day average of 3.0, partly because access is technical and partly because the high elevation and avalanche terrain filter casual visitors. Late September through early October offers the most stable weather window, though conditions can degrade rapidly.
McCabe Pass suits mountaineers, ski mountaineers, and experienced backcountry travelers. Casual day hikers are rare; the technical nature of the approach and the requirement for avalanche literacy mean most visitors are carrying ski or climbing gear. Plan for dawn departure to thread the window between overnight cold and afternoon wind. Parking at nearby trailheads fills irregularly; weekend demand clusters around the opening of Highway 120 in late spring, but overall pressure on McCabe Pass remains modest compared to roadside Yosemite Valley destinations. Bring a current avalanche forecast, a weather radio, and the ability to abort or descend if conditions deteriorate.
Nearby peaks in the Yosemite corridor such as Cathedral Peak and Matthes Crest share similar exposure and snowpack timing but sit slightly lower and less exposed to wind tunneling. The Sierra crest itself offers numerous crossings; McCabe Pass is intermediate in difficulty. Those seeking lower elevation and faster drying conditions should consider the trails on the western slope of the Sierra around Highway 120 further south. Those planning to traverse the high Sierra crest multiple peaks should check all pass conditions simultaneously, as a single weather event often affects five to ten crossings across a fifty-mile stretch.