Forester Pass, Mountain pass in Sierra Nevada, California

Forester Pass is a mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada that connects two major watersheds through steep rocky terrain. It sits at approximately 4,000 meters elevation within Sequoia National Park and forms a critical section of the region's major hiking routes.

Forester Pass was first documented by a group of United States Forest Service workers, and the pass was later named in their honor. On August 26, 1930, four men were injured during construction of the trail over the pass; a boulder let loose during blasting crushed the arm of 18-year-old Donald Downs. He was evacuated by stretcher to Baxter Cabin, his arm was amputated, and he died on September 2, 1930, from complications of surgery. A plaque commemorating his death stands on the southern side of the pass.

The pass serves as a significant milestone for hikers traversing both the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail through the Sierra Nevada mountains.

An early start and previous altitude acclimatization are important when crossing this pass, especially when snow fields are present. Visitors should be prepared to deal with steep terrain and changing weather conditions at this elevation.

A plaque on the southern side of the pass commemorates Donald Downs, an 18-year-old worker killed on 2 September 1930 after a blasting boulder crushed his arm during trail construction. A plane crashed at Tyndall Creek while dropping medicine for him. The plaque is easiest to see walking north.