Ritter Pass
Peak · 11,099 ft · Yosemite corridor
Ritter Pass is an 11,099-foot alpine crossing in Yosemite's high Sierra, exposed and windswept. The pass funnels afternoon gusts and sits well above treeline, offering stark granite and views into the Ritter Range.
Wind accelerates mid-afternoon as thermal pressure builds; morning calm persists only until late morning. Temperatures average 22 degrees Fahrenheit; expect rapid swings with altitude and sun exposure. Afternoon gusts regularly hit 33 mph or harder, making morning travel mandatory for exposed terrain.
Over the past 30 days, conditions averaged a NoGo Score of 34 with 12 mph wind and 22 degree temperatures; the highest gust reached 33 mph. The rolling 30-day wind and temperature patterns show typical late-spring instability: cold air masses collide with warming days, producing afternoon wind surges. Watch the 7-day forecast for sustained calm mornings; a drop in afternoon wind suggests a stable high-pressure dome.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Ritter Pass
Ritter Pass connects the Ansel Adams Wilderness to Yosemite backcountry via a high-Sierra crossing in the Yosemite corridor. The pass sits at 11,099 feet in stark alpine granite with no shelter. Primary access routes funnel through Highway 395 from the east (June Lake, Mammoth Lakes) or Highway 120 from the west (Tioga Road). Approach time from Mammoth Lakes or Lee Vining is 45 minutes to drive plus 3 to 5 hours of hiking; from Tuolumne Meadows (west side) allow 4 to 6 hours of approach. The pass itself is a broad saddle with minimal technical terrain but complete exposure to wind and weather.
Spring through early autumn sees the most reliable passability; snow blocks the approach until mid-to-late June depending on snowpack and melt rate. The 30-day average wind of 12 mph masks dramatic daily swings. Afternoon wind dominates: calm mornings give way to sustained 20 to 30 mph gusts by mid-afternoon, with gusts exceeding 33 mph recorded frequently. Temperature swings from 8 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 33 degrees in summer peak, but even summer days cool fast above 11,000 feet once sun angle drops. Crowding averages 3 on NoGo's scale (low to moderate); most traffic concentrates on weekends and the first two weeks after Highway 120 opens.
Ritter Pass is best for experienced high-Sierra hikers and backpackers comfortable with exposed terrain and self-rescue. Trekkers typically aim for early starts (before 7 am) to cross before wind and thermal effects intensify. Anyone carrying a pack over 40 pounds or unfamiliar with Alpine wind and exposure should plan conservatively; afternoon crossings invite hazard from wind gusts and sudden weather. Winter and early spring approaches demand avalanche awareness and snowpack assessment via the Sierra Avalanche Center. Late-season snow can persist into June; wet-slab avalanche risk rises on southfacing slopes after warm afternoons.
Neighboring high passes in the corridor include Donohue Pass (11,050 feet, slightly lower and less exposed) to the north and Glen Pass to the south. Tuolumne Meadows (west side, Highway 120) offers a less exposed entry to the high Sierra if Ritter Pass conditions deteriorate. June Lake Loop (east side, Highway 395) provides a lower-elevation alternative with more shelter and crowds; Ritter Pass typically offers quieter conditions and starker alpine character at the cost of full wind exposure and no bailout shelter.