Chaparral Hill
Peak · 6,492 ft · North Sierra corridor
Chaparral Hill is a 6,492-foot peak in California's North Sierra corridor, exposed to afternoon winds that funnel off nearby water. Colder and windier than lower elevations in the region.
Wind averages 9 mph but gusts to 21 mph, driven by afternoon thermals and pressure gradients off the lake basin to the east. Mornings are calmer; by mid-afternoon, exposure becomes the defining hazard. Temperature swings 30 degrees from winter lows to spring highs; snow lingers into late spring on north-facing slopes.
Over the past 30 days, Chaparral Hill has averaged 9 mph wind and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, with scores around 35 out of 100. The week ahead shows typical spring volatility: watch for wind spikes on clear afternoons and lingering snow patches on shaded aspects. Crowding remains light except on weekends after Highway 89 access improves.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Chaparral Hill
Chaparral Hill rises at 6,492 feet in the North Sierra, roughly 90 minutes northeast of Sacramento via Highway 50 and Highway 89. The peak sits in a high-elevation basin east of the main crest, exposed to wind funneling off the Tahoe region and the Carson Range. Access is primarily from Highway 89 corridor towns; most visitors approach from the west via mountain roads that open seasonally. The location is tracked by the Sacramento Avalanche Center due to persistent cornices and wind-loaded gullies on the northeast face.
Spring at Chaparral Hill remains cool and volatile. The 30-day average temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit, with winter minima dipping to 28 degrees and spring highs reaching 58 degrees across the year. Average wind runs 9 mph, but gusts regularly hit 21 mph, especially on clear afternoons when thermals and basin winds collide. The peak sits above most tree shelter, so afternoon exposure is the norm rather than the exception. Snowpack persists through mid-spring on north and east faces; travel there requires avalanche awareness and microspike familiarity. Crowding averages 5 out of 10, spiking only on weekends in late spring.
Chaparral Hill suits experienced hikers and backcountry skiers comfortable with high exposure and variable snow. The peak draws peak-baggers targeting the North Sierra corridor high points and ski mountaineers seeking spring corn in late April and May. Plan morning starts to avoid afternoon wind and thermal updrafts. Parking is scattered along Highway 89; expect limited facilities and no services within 30 minutes. Winter and early spring approaches require beacon, probe, and shovel. The 21 mph max wind on exposed ridges can pin travel and erode decision-making; skip the peak on gusty days if you lack microspike or skiing skill.
Nearby Castle Peak and Sierra Buttes lie within the same corridor and offer similar high-elevation conditions with marginally better shelter at lower elevations. Loon Lake, due west, sits calmer but colder at comparable elevations; the open water intensifies wind pressure on ridges above it. For a lower, more sheltered alternative, Sagehen Creek drainages to the northwest drop into forested terrain warmer by 10 to 15 degrees and less exposed to afternoon wind. Chaparral Hill is best paired with peaks along Highway 89 when conditions permit a full traverse.