California · Rock climbing · Pinecrest

Sonora Pass Highway (108)

Sonora Pass Highway (108) in California has 10 climbing routes with 7 difficulty grades.

10 routes

5.2 – 5.12-

Bouldering · Trad · Alpine

Is Sonora Pass Highway (108) open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Sonora Pass Highway (108), so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

Stanislaus National Forest extends seasonal MVUM closure for two high elevation roads
Agency closure covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
Extension of Seasonal Road Closures
Agency closure covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
Temporary Fire Restrictions High Hazard Area Stanislaus National Forest
Agency alert covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
Temporary Moderate Hazard Fire Restrictions Stanislaus National Forest
Agency alert covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest

As of Oct 23, 8:40 pm PDT · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Sonora Pass Highway (108)

Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

Jan
44° / 32°
10 wet
Feb
42° / 31°
9 wet
Mar
45° / 32°
10 wet
Apr
49° / 36°
8 wet
May
58° / 43°
7 wet
Jun
67° / 52°
3 wet
Jul
75° / 60°
1 wet
Aug
75° / 59°
1 wet
Sep
70° / 54°
2 wet
Oct
60° / 46°
4 wet
Nov
49° / 37°
7 wet
Dec
43° / 32°
9 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yosemite Village 12 W, CA, 28.6 mi away at 6,620 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Sonora Pass Highway (108) is a climbing area in California's Emigrant Wilderness, within the Summit Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route lies inside designated wilderness. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 75°F with lows near 60°F and only about one wet day a month. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet lower than the pass, so temperatures on the highway run cooler. The area has 10 climbing routes, with styles ranging from bouldering to alpine and trad. Grades run from 5.2 to 5.12-, with "Heaven's Staircase" at 5.12- and "The Teacher" at 5.2. "Heart of the Artichokes" and "Emigrant Labor" are alpine routes. Bear Lake, a mountain biking spot, is just 0.2 miles away, and the Lake Valley hike is about a mile off. Toller Tower and Below the Fun House, both climbing areas, are each about 2.4 miles away.