McIntosh Hill
Peak · 6,771 ft · Lake Tahoe corridor
McIntosh Hill is a 6,771-foot peak in the Lake Tahoe corridor's Sierra Nevada. Moderate elevation and avalanche terrain make it a spring objective for experienced mountaineers planning around snowpack stability.
McIntosh Hill sits in the transition zone between lake-moderated air and high-Sierra dryness. Wind typically stays under 10 mph in early morning but ramps through the day as thermal circulation strengthens. Snowpack persists into late spring; assess stability before committing to steeper lines.
Over the last 30 days, McIntosh Hill averaged a NoGo Score of 42.0 with temperatures around 38 degrees Fahrenheit and an average wind of 7 mph, keeping conditions moderate but variable. The week ahead brings typical spring patterns: expect morning calm and afternoon wind strengthening, with crowding remaining light due to the terrain's technical nature and avalanche exposure.
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About McIntosh Hill
McIntosh Hill sits at the northern edge of the Lake Tahoe basin, roughly 15 miles northwest of the town of Tahoe City via Highway 89 and local access roads. The peak anchors a cluster of high-Sierra summits in the tahoe corridor, sitting in avalanche terrain managed by the Sierra Avalanche Center. Access from the west typically starts from trailheads near Squaw Valley or the Tahoe-Donner area; the 6,771-foot elevation places it above most infrastructure but below the zone where altitude alone becomes the limiting factor. Winter and early spring approach routes cross significant snowpack; late-spring and summer ascents follow drying ridges and established scramble lines.
McIntosh Hill's weather pattern mirrors the broader high-Sierra spring transition. The 30-day average temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit reflects April conditions at this elevation; by late May, daytime highs climb into the 45 to 50-degree range. Average wind of 7 mph holds steady through morning and early afternoon, but thermal heating and gap-wind funneling from the lake basin can drive gusts to 15 to 17 mph by mid-afternoon. Crowding remains sparse (average 2.0 on the NoGo scale) because avalanche terrain and technical scrambling limit the user base to experienced mountaineers. Snow persistence varies sharply year to year; late-spring ascents may encounter wet-slab hazard on sun-facing slopes by noon.
McIntosh Hill suits mountaineers comfortable with exposure, self-rescue, and snowpack assessment. Spring ascents require avalanche awareness and decision-making skills; skier-triggered sloughs and corniced ridges are routine. The technical scramble on bare rock or consolidated snow demands solid footwork and comfort with fourth-class climbing. Early-morning starts are non-negotiable: head out by dawn to complete the ascent and descent before afternoon wind intensifies and solar warming accelerates snowpack instability. Summer climbers avoid the problem entirely but trade it for steeper snow gullies that linger into early July in cold years.
Nearby peaks in the Tahoe-Donner massif (Anderson Peak, Castle Rock, Page Meadows drainage) offer alternative objectives at similar or slightly lower elevation, with less avalanche terrain and faster descents. The drive from Highway 89 to trailhead is 30 to 45 minutes from Tahoe City; from the Bay Area, count 3.5 to 4.5 hours to a parking area. Late May through August is optimal for casual hikers seeking non-technical ridge walks; late April and early May suit ski and snowboard descents for experienced backcountry users.