Old Bones Pass
Peak · 11,581 ft · Yosemite corridor
Old Bones Pass is a high-Sierra peak at 11,581 feet in the Yosemite corridor, sitting exposed to afternoon wind and spring snow. Access is technical and seasonally limited.
Wind dominates here. The 30-day average is 12 mph, but afternoon thermals can push gusts to 40 mph by late day. Morning calm is the rule; head up before 10 a.m. Temperature averages 22 degrees Fahrenheit; expect snow and unstable slabs in spring.
Over the last 30 days, Old Bones Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 33 with temperatures around 22 degrees Fahrenheit and winds at 12 mph. The coming week will likely show the same afternoon wind spike pattern that defines this exposed peak. Watch for rapid temperature swings and avalanche hazard in the snowpack.
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About Old Bones Pass
Old Bones Pass sits at the high point of a ridgeline northeast of Yosemite Valley, accessible primarily via the Tioga Road corridor (California Highway 120). The pass straddles snow-fed drainages feeding eastward into the Great Basin. Base popularity is low; most traffic is backcountry skiers and scramblers targeting the open ridge in late spring and early summer. Access requires either a multi-hour approach from Tenaya Lake or a technical climb from the east. Winter and early spring routes cross avalanche terrain; awareness of snowpack stability is non-negotiable.
Spring conditions here are unstable. The 30-day average temperature of 22 degrees Fahrenheit masks wide swings; overnight lows drop to near freezing, daytime highs can reach the mid-30s, creating wet-slab and cornice collapse risk. Wind averages 12 mph but routinely gusts to 40 mph by afternoon, funneling off the adjacent high lakes. Crowding remains minimal (3.0 on the 30-day average) because access is arduous and exposure is severe. Late May through early July offers the best window: snowpack settles, afternoon wind is predictable, and daylight extends past 8 p.m.
This location suits experienced mountaineers and backcountry skiers comfortable reading avalanche terrain and managing self-rescue. Do not attempt a first approach in poor visibility or high wind; the ridge has no shelter and exposure is unforgiving. Parking at Tenaya Lake or along Highway 120 fills quickly on clear weekends; arrive before dawn or avoid weekends entirely. Carry a shovel and probe. Late afternoon descents are dangerous; plan a morning summit and afternoon descent before wind peaks.
Nearby peaks like Cathedral Peak and Mount Dana offer similar elevation and exposure but with better-defined trails and less avalanche terrain. The Tioga Road itself closes seasonally; check conditions before committing. Old Bones Pass is best paired with a multiday ski or climbing permit that allows flexible timing around weather windows.