Melissa Coray Peak
Peak · 9,767 ft · Lake Tahoe corridor
Melissa Coray Peak sits at 9,767 feet in the Lake Tahoe corridor's eastern Sierra Nevada. A high-elevation approach with sustained avalanche terrain demands winter caution and stable snowpack.
Wind accelerates in afternoon hours as lake-driven thermal flow strengthens; mornings are typically calmer. Exposure at elevation means temperatures run 10 to 15 degrees colder than the lake basin below. Snow lingers into early summer; spring travel requires avalanche awareness and stable slopes.
Over the last 30 days, Melissa Coray Peak averaged a NoGo Score of 42 with an average wind of 8 mph and temperatures around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead shows typical spring patterns: expect morning windows before afternoon wind builds, with avalanche terrain remaining the dominant hazard as snowpack transitions.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Melissa Coray Peak
Melissa Coray Peak crowns the high country east of Lake Tahoe at 9,767 feet. The peak sits within California's Sierra Nevada avalanche zone (SAC boundary) and demands winter and spring route-finding through terrain with significant slab and wind-slab exposure. Access typically runs via Highway 50 or Highway 395 depending on the approach corridor; the peak draws few casual visitors due to its altitude and technical snowpack requirements. Base popularity sits low at 0.2, reflecting its specialised summer scramble and avalanche-prone winter character.
Spring and early summer bring the most stable conditions, though snow persists through early June in most years. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks afternoon acceleration; morning departures by 7 or 8 am catch the window before thermal winds off the lake funnel upslope. Winter temperatures average around 30 degrees Fahrenheit at peak elevation, with lows near 15 and highs to 44 degrees across the full year. Crowding stays minimal (averaging 2.0 on the 1-to-10 scale), a reflection of the remote location and avalanche terrain exposure.
This peak suits experienced alpine travelers comfortable with avalanche assessment, exposure, and self-rescue. Summer scramblers target late July through September when snow clears and afternoon thunderstorm risk drops. Spring ascents demand current avalanche forecast review, stable slope selection, and early morning discipline to avoid wet-slab conditions that develop as solar input intensifies. The 24-mph maximum wind on record signals that afternoon descent becomes mandatory; plan turnaround times rigidly.
Nearby peaks in the Tahoe corridor offer lower-avalanche-risk alternatives; Highway 50 accesses gentler high-country ridges to the west, while Highway 395 approaches open more sheltered slopes to the east. Melissa Coray Peak's isolation and technical terrain make it a destination for peak-baggers and mountaineers rather than day-hikers. Pair a summit day here with stable-weather confirmation and a second, escape-route day in the itinerary.