Snow Pass
Peak · 11,212 ft · Yosemite corridor
Snow Pass is an 11,212-foot peak in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Avalanche terrain dominates its approach and summit; winter access demands snowpack assessment and beacon discipline.
Wind accelerates through the pass funnel during afternoon hours, gusting well above the 10 mph 30-day average. Temperature swings from 11 degrees to 36 degrees across the year. Approach in early morning before thermal lift drives afternoon systems upslope.
Over the last 30 days, Snow Pass averaged 33 NoGo Score with wind holding near 10 mph; gusts have topped 34 mph. The week ahead carries similar exposure. Plan around avalanche hazard bulletins from the Sierra Avalanche Center, check wind timing daily, and avoid afternoon ascents when thermals peak.
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About Snow Pass
Snow Pass sits at the intersection of the high-Sierra drainage pattern northeast of Yosemite Valley. Access typically routes via Highway 120 into the park and trailheads in the Tioga Pass corridor or via the eastern approach from Lee Vining. The peak lies in avalanche terrain; winter and spring approaches require current stability forecasts from the Sierra Avalanche Center. Summer access is shorter but exposed to afternoon wind and lightning. The pass itself funnels air between drainages, amplifying gusts that originate from the valley floor.
The 30-day average temperature of 24 degrees reflects Snow Pass's spring transition window. Winter snowpack persists through early summer; spring typically brings instability and rapid thaw cycles. Crowding remains light at a 3-out-of-10 average, as the exposed terrain and avalanche hazard keep most visitors to lower trails. Wind consistency is the dominant planning variable; the maximum gust recorded in the rolling 30-day window was 34 mph, typical for afternoon hours when thermals accelerate. Late summer brings lower avalanche risk but sustained afternoon wind.
Snow Pass suits climbers and ski mountaineers with avalanche awareness, stable snowpack reading, and tolerance for exposure. Hiking parties without winter skills should avoid the approach until summer stabilization. The peak rewards early ascents; parties starting before dawn avoid afternoon wind entirely and return before thermal development peaks. Parking at lower trailheads fills early on weekends. Beacon, shovel, and probe are non-negotiable in winter and spring. The exposed ridge and summit exposed to lightning; descend if thunderheads form.
The Yosemite corridor includes nearby peaks like Mammoth Mountain and Cathedral Range passes, each with distinct wind and avalanche patterns. Snow Pass sits higher and more exposed than valley-floor access points, making it a skilled mountaineer's objective rather than a casual day hike. Comparison to Tioga Pass area peaks shows Snow Pass in the upper half of avalanche exposure and afternoon wind; its lower crowding reflects the barrier to casual visitors. Late-season ascents (late summer through early fall) offer the safest conditions for non-mountaineers, though wind remains a planning factor.