Hartley Butte
Peak · 7,401 ft · Lake Tahoe corridor
Hartley Butte is a 7401-foot peak in the Lake Tahoe corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Avalanche terrain and high-elevation exposure define the approach; conditions shift rapidly with time of day.
Wind accelerates off the lake by mid-afternoon, typically running 9 mph average but capable of gusting to 23 mph. Morning hours are calmer. Temperature hovers near 33 degrees on the 30-day average. Snowpack persists into late spring; assess stability before committing to exposed slopes.
Over the last 30 days, Hartley Butte averaged a NoGo Score of 43, with wind holding steady at 9 mph but peaking at 23 mph on difficult days. Crowding remains minimal at 2.0 average. The week ahead will continue this pattern: favor early mornings and watch for afternoon wind buildup typical of the corridor.
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About Hartley Butte
Hartley Butte sits on the west side of the Lake Tahoe basin, in California's high Sierra between Highway 89 and Highway 50 approaches. The peak is reachable from the Tahoe City or South Lake Tahoe corridors via various trailheads scattered across the National Forest. Base popularity is low, meaning parking and crowds are rarely constraints. The location sits within SAC avalanche center jurisdiction and contains avalanche terrain; winter and early-spring ascents demand current snowpack assessment and companion rescue capability.
Weather at 7401 feet follows classic high-Sierra behavior. The 30-day average temperature of 33 degrees reflects spring transition; the rolling 365-day record shows winter lows near 21 degrees and late-summer highs reaching 47 degrees. Wind averages 9 mph but regularly exceeds 20 mph in afternoon and evening hours. Crowding stays low year-round (2.0 on the scale), making this a quieter alternative to Tahoe's more famous peaks. Spring and early summer typically see the biggest shifts in accessibility as snowpack changes week to week.
Hartley Butte suits climbers and backcountry skiers comfortable with avalanche terrain and rapid weather shifts. Experienced visitors plan around morning windows; afternoon wind and exposure make late-day summits riskier. The peak's low base popularity means facilities and maintained trailheads are sparse. Bring navigation tools, assess snow stability personally, and understand that cell coverage is unreliable. The 30-day max wind of 23 mph is typical for exposed ridges; summit attempts in windier windows invite serious fatigue and cooling.
The Tahoe corridor offers numerous alternatives at similar elevation. Peaks accessed from Highway 89 near Tahoe City or from Highway 50 near South Lake Tahoe provide different angles and slightly different exposure patterns. Hartley Butte's advantage is obscurity; most visitors cluster on higher-profile summits, leaving Hartley quieter and more committing. Plan a full day, bring water and shelter, and avoid descent in fading light.