Red Peak Pass
Peak · 11,158 ft · Yosemite corridor
Red Peak Pass is an 11,158-foot alpine crossing in Yosemite's high Sierra corridor. Exposed ridgeline terrain funnels afternoon wind and demands winter avalanche awareness.
Wind accelerates upslope by mid-afternoon, with gusts commonly reaching 30 mph on the pass proper. Morning conditions are calmer and clearer. Snow persists into early summer; wet-slab avalanche risk peaks during spring warming cycles.
Over the last 30 days, Red Peak Pass averaged a NoGo Score of 34 with average wind of 9 mph and temperatures around 27 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will show whether spring snowmelt and temperature swings continue to destabilize the upper slopes. Wind gusts have reached 30 mph in recent weeks; plan morning starts to dodge afternoon funneling.
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About Red Peak Pass
Red Peak Pass sits at 11,158 feet on the Yosemite corridor's eastern Sierra crest, roughly between the Cathedral Range and the Ritter Range massif. Access is primarily via Highway 120 from the west (Tioga Pass approach) or Highway 395 from the east; the pass itself sees seasonal closure under heavy snow. Gateway towns include Lee Vining to the east and Tuolumne Meadows area to the west. The pass marks the drainage divide between Tenaya Creek (Yosemite side) and the Mono Basin.
Spring and early summer bring the largest temperature swings and avalanche exposure. The 30-day average temperature sits at 27 degrees Fahrenheit, with a year-round high near 41 degrees and lows dipping to 10 degrees Fahrenheit during winter. Snow lingers through late June in most years; wet-slab avalanche danger peaks during daytime warming spells. Crowding remains low overall (30-day average of 3.0), but traffic increases sharply once Highway 120 opens fully after spring snow clearance. Wind averages 9 mph over the last month but gusts to 30 mph are routine on the exposed ridgeline.
Red Peak Pass suits backcountry skiers, mountaineers, and high-Sierra hikers willing to navigate avalanche terrain and sudden exposure. Experienced parties treat the pass as a through-route or climbing approach rather than a destination; few stop for extended time on the crest due to wind and instability. Winter and spring visitors must assess snowpack, carry probes and shovels, and recognize that afternoon heating accelerates slab motion. Parking near approach trailheads fills quickly during opening week; early starts and weekday trips reduce congestion and wind exposure both.
Nearby alternatives include Cathedral Lakes, Tenaya Lake, and Mount Dana, all of which sit lower and offer earlier seasonal access. Cathedral Lakes holds similar alpine scenery but with less avalanche exposure. Mount Dana (13,053 feet) lies directly north and trades Red Peak's pass character for a more defined peak climb; it sees heavier crowds. For lower-elevation Sierra crossings, Highway 89 through Monitor Pass or Highway 203 via Mammoth Mountain provide less extreme but less spectacular corridors.