Meiss Trailhead
Trailhead · Lake Tahoe corridor
Meiss Trailhead sits at 8,629 feet in California's Lake Tahoe corridor, offering direct access to high-Sierra ridgelines and alpine meadows. Wind exposure increases sharply by afternoon.
Morning calm gives way to afternoon funneling off the lake. The 30-day average wind is 8 mph, but gusts reach 24 mph by mid-day. Expect cold temperatures and rapid weather swings typical of the Sierra crest.
Over the last 30 days, Meiss Trailhead averaged a NoGo Score of 14.0, with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees and the 30-day average wind of 8 mph. The week ahead shows typical spring instability at elevation; plan early starts and watch for afternoon wind spikes.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Meiss Trailhead
Meiss Trailhead serves as the primary gateway to the Tahoe Rim Trail and high-Sierra passes straddling the Nevada border. Located on the eastern flank of the Lake Tahoe corridor at 8,629 feet, it sits roughly 30 minutes from Highway 395 via Stateline or Carson Pass approaches. Access is via Forest Service roads from the south or Highway 50 corridors from the west. The trailhead draws a steady core of ridge runners and pass-seekers; parking is limited and fills on clear weekends.
Conditions here follow textbook high-Sierra patterns. Spring temperatures average 30 degrees; winter minima drop to 15 degrees, and summer highs reach 44 degrees. Wind is the defining hazard. The 30-day average wind is 8 mph, but gusts exceed 24 mph almost daily by midday, funneling directly off the lake basin to the west. Morning hours hold relative calm; by noon, exposure increases sharply on ridges. Crowding sits at an average of 6 out of 10, lighter than Tahoe's lakeside trailheads but steady enough in spring and early summer to require early arrival.
Head here on calm mornings if you're planning a ridge or pass crossing. Skip afternoon outings in spring, when thermal winds are most reliable. Snow persists into late spring at pass crossings; confirm melt status before departure. The trailhead suits experienced Sierra walkers comfortable with exposed ridges, rapid weather, and self-sufficiency at elevation. Parking fills by mid-morning on weekends; weekday visits offer solitude and calmer conditions. Winter travel is feasible but demands avalanche training for adjacent terrain despite the trailhead itself being non-avalanche ground.
Nearby alternatives include Carson Pass (Highway 88), which offers faster access to similar ridgeline terrain with slightly more shelter in certain wind directions. Monitor the 30-day average conditions closely; Meiss Trailhead sits higher and more exposed than lower Tahoe rim approaches, making it one of the corridor's windier jump-off points for spring travel.