Four Cornered Peak
Peak · 6,797 ft · Lake Tahoe corridor
Four Cornered Peak is a 6,797-foot summit in the Lake Tahoe Sierra corridor, sitting east of the main crest. Wind-exposed alpine terrain with avalanche hazard in winter and spring.
Four Cornered Peak faces persistent afternoon wind funneling off the lake basin; mornings are calmer. The 30-day average wind sits at 8 mph, but gusts spike to 19 mph by mid-day. Expect exposure above treeline and cooling at elevation; temperatures average 36 degrees Fahrenheit over the last month.
Over the last 30 days, Four Cornered Peak averaged a NoGo Score of 43, with wind and afternoon heating driving most closures. The week ahead mirrors late-spring Sierra patterns: calm mornings below score 30, degradation by noon. Watch for wind spikes; the 30-day max gust of 19 mph reflects typical funnel-flow off the lake. Crowding remains light at 2.0 on the 30-day rolling average, though weekends bring parking pressure at trailhead access.
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About Four Cornered Peak
Four Cornered Peak sits at 6,797 feet on the eastern shore of the Lake Tahoe Sierra, roughly 15 miles south of Highway 50 and accessible via Forest Service roads from the Eldorado National Forest. The peak is approached from the west and south; the most direct foot access climbs through lodgepole and whitebark pine to alpine meadow and talus. The location sees minimal foot traffic compared to Basin peaks farther north. Winter and early spring ascents require avalanche awareness; the peak sits within terrain mapped by the Sacramento Avalanche Center and holds snow well into late spring.
Weather at Four Cornered Peak reflects high-elevation Lake Tahoe corridor patterns. The 30-day rolling average temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit is typical for April through May; year-round extremes range from 24 degrees in winter to 51 degrees in summer. Wind dominates the decision to visit. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks a critical detail: afternoon wind routinely builds as the lake heats, with maximum gusts of 19 mph in the rolling month. Mornings offer a 2 to 3 hour window of calmer conditions before thermals trigger upslope flow. Crowding remains sparse at a 30-day rolling average of 2.0, but weekends and holiday periods compress parking at the nearest trailheads.
Four Cornered Peak suits hikers and backcountry skiers comfortable with exposure and willing to start before dawn to catch calm conditions. Spring visitors must assess snowpack and avalanche risk; the SAC forecast is mandatory reading before any approach. The peak pairs well with traverses linking nearby high-country basins; solo ascents are feasible but offer few shelter options if wind rises unexpectedly. Summer access is direct and snow-free. Fall conditions (late September onward) bring the most stable wind patterns and clearest visibility. Winter approach demands full avalanche kit and rescue capability.
Nearby alternatives include peaks along the crest proper (Pyramid Peak, Castle Peak) which sit 3 to 8 miles north and command more traffic but offer defined trails. Lower-elevation Lake Tahoe access points around Emerald Bay and D.L. Bliss State Park provide water-based views without altitude exposure. Four Cornered Peak is best paired with multi-day Sierra touring or as a secondary summit in a broader backcountry loop rather than as a standalone day trip from valley towns.