Crescent Hill
Peak · 6,512 ft · North Sierra corridor
Crescent Hill rises 6,512 feet in the North Sierra corridor, an exposed alpine peak where wind and snow dominance define the season. Access via Highway 89 from the west or 395 from the east.
Wind accelerates across the open summit ridge by mid-morning and peaks in afternoon hours. Temperature swing from 27 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit across the calendar year makes layering critical. Morning calm windows close fast; afternoon exposure is severe and sustained.
Over the past 30 days, Crescent Hill averaged a NoGo Score of 35 with wind at 8 mph and temperature holding 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead shows typical spring volatility; expect morning clarity followed by afternoon wind loading. Reference the chart below to track when the 7-day forecast breaks from the 30-day average and plan your approach for low wind windows.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Crescent Hill
Crescent Hill sits at the northern boundary of the Sierra Nevada high country, roughly equidistant from Highway 89 (west) and Highway 395 (east). The peak anchors a transitional zone between the wet-slab snowpack of the Central Sierra and the drier wind-scoured terrain of the northeastern flank. Access roads remain variable in spring; confirm Highway 89 and 395 conditions before committing. Gateway towns include Truckee to the west and Chester to the south. The approach is typically straightforward in snow-free months but becomes avalanche-terrain-dependent in winter and early spring. Consult the Sacramento Avalanche Center forecasts before heading to Crescent Hill between November and May.
Crescent Hill experiences pronounced seasonal character. Winter temperatures average 27 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit across the year, with sustained snowpack from November through April. Spring melt accelerates rapidly above 6,000 feet; wet-slab hazard peaks in April and May as sun exposure increases. Summer (late June through September) brings stable snow-free conditions and reliable afternoon wind averaging 8 mph with gusts to 19 mph. Fall arrives early at 6,512 feet; expect freeze-thaw cycles and rapid snow return by late September. The 30-day average crowding score of 5 reflects low foot traffic year-round, but parking fills quickly on the first clear weekend after Highway 120 opens in early summer.
Crescent Hill suits experienced alpinists comfortable with exposure, winter travel, and rapidly changing conditions. The open summit ridge offers no shelter; wind is relentless after 10 a.m. from April through October. Hikers without winter mountaineering skills should avoid the peak November through May unless accompanied by someone trained in avalanche rescue and snowpack assessment. The peak rewards early starts and calm mornings; afternoon wind routinely exceeds 15 mph. Snow-shoeing and ski touring are feasible in winter and spring only with avalanche awareness and current SAC forecasts. Parking near the trailhead is limited; arrive before 8 a.m. on weekends.
Nearby alternatives include Mount Lassen (10,457 ft, more volcanic geology and less wind exposure) to the north and the peaks of the Lassen Volcanic National Park corridor to the northeast. For similar elevation and exposure with slightly lower wind averages, consider the traverses east of Lake Almanor. Crescent Hill differs from the more accessible Tahoe-basin peaks to the west in that it demands genuine winter skills and offers substantially less crowds; the trade-off is full seasonal closure risk via avalanche or snow loading on approach roads.