Devil's Gate Pass, Mountain pass in Mono County, California.
Devil's Gate Pass is a mountain pass in Mono County that rises to 2,292 meters along U.S. Route 395. The paved route connects Sonora Junction to Bridgeport, running through a landscape shaped by granite formations and high-altitude terrain.
The pass was crossed in 1844 by John C. Frémont during his survey expedition through the Nevada Basin. His journey through extreme mountain conditions forced him to abandon one of his cannons along the route.
The name comes from the Devils Gate formation, a distinctive rock structure visible west of the summit. This striking granite shape has long captured the imagination of travelers passing through the region.
The road is passable year-round, though winter weather can bring snow and more challenging driving conditions. Visitors should prepare for exposure to mountain weather and allow extra time when traveling in cold seasons.
Ancient juniper trees growing in this area rank among the oldest living organisms on Earth, having endured thousands of years in this harsh high-altitude environment. These specimens serve as silent witnesses to millennia of natural history.
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