Ellis Peak
Peak · 8,687 ft · Lake Tahoe corridor
Ellis Peak, an 8,687-foot summit in the Lake Tahoe Sierra, sits exposed above the eastern shore. A moderately trafficked high-altitude objective with avalanche terrain and wind-driven weather swings.
Wind accelerates over the ridgeline by midday, funneling east off the lake. Mornings stay calmer and significantly warmer than afternoon hours. Snow lingers into late spring; stability depends on recent temperatures and wind loading.
Over the last 30 days, Ellis Peak averaged 8 mph wind and 37 degrees Fahrenheit, with gusts reaching 24 mph. The trend chart below shows the rolling 30-day pattern plus the 7-day forecast for NoGo Score, wind, temperature, and crowding. Expect the week ahead to mirror recent averages unless a low-pressure system pushes in from the west.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Ellis Peak
Ellis Peak rises on the eastern Sierra crest between Lake Tahoe's northeast and the Carson Range drainage. The summit sits roughly 20 miles east of Tahoe City via Highway 89, accessible by foot from multiple trailheads on the Tahoe-Pyramid Lake corridor. The peak's low base popularity (0.2) reflects its position away from main tourist highways and resorts; most visitors approach via the Marlette Lake drainage or the Peak 2 Creek approach from the east side. The location requires either a full day hike or scramble and is not a casual roadside viewpoint.
Ellis Peak sits in the SAC (Sierra Avalanche Center) forecast zone and carries avalanche terrain on multiple aspects. Winter and early-spring approaches demand snowpack assessment; wind-loaded gullies and convex slopes on the north and west faces shed slab avalanches following storms or strong ridge winds. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks afternoon gusts that regularly exceed 20 mph. Temperature swings from a 365-day low of 22 degrees Fahrenheit to a high of 52 degrees mean the peak can be snow-covered and icy in early morning, then thaw rapidly by midday. Spring and early summer see the highest melt rates and the longest windows of stable snow consolidation.
Ellis Peak suits experienced hikers and climbers comfortable with scrambling, loose rock, and exposure. The low crowding average of 2.0 means solitude is the norm; the first and second weekends of any month see modest upticks as regional visitors target the higher Tahoe summits. Weather planning is critical: head early, expect wind to build by noon, and carry layers to manage the typical 15 to 20 degree temperature swing between sunrise and afternoon. Parking at trailheads fills on weekends during summer; weekday trips or very early morning starts avoid delays. Water is scarce on the exposed ridge; carry capacity for the full ascent.
Ellis Peak sits closer to Highway 395 and the drier eastern slope climate than the wetter western Tahoe shoreline; expect less precipitation and more wind exposure than peers like Mount Tallac or peaks above Emerald Bay. The Marlette Lake drainage offers an alternative descent or loop option. For similar moderate-elevation Sierra scrambles with less wind and more lake views, consider the peaks bordering the Mount Rose Wilderness to the north. The corridor's higher famous summits (Freel Peak, Jobs Peak) see significantly more foot traffic and rival or exceed Ellis's wind and exposure.