Meadow View Peak
Peak · 6,906 ft · North Sierra corridor
Meadow View Peak sits at 6906 feet in California's North Sierra, a high-elevation vantage point with year-round avalanche terrain. Wind and exposure dominate the experience.
Afternoon wind is the rule here, funneling off higher ridges by 2 pm and persisting into evening. Morning calm windows are narrow and brief. Snowpack stability governs winter approach; exposed slopes shed fast in spring warmth.
The 30-day average wind runs 15 mph with gusts to 28 mph, typical for this elevation corridor. Temperature averages 40°F. Crowding stays light at 5.0 on the scale, reflecting the peak's remoteness and avalanche terrain. The week ahead will track the month's pattern: expect calmer mornings and stronger afternoon gusts.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Meadow View Peak
Meadow View Peak rises in the North Sierra corridor east of Highway 395, in terrain that demands winter-specific judgment. The peak sits in avalanche-prone country managed by the Sacramento Avalanche Center. Access requires a high-clearance vehicle and willingness to navigate forest service roads in the off-season; snow blocks routes from December through May. The nearest gateway is Quincy, California, roughly 30 miles west. Summer approach is more straightforward but still involves rough roads and unmarked terrain. This is not a well-signed destination; navigation skill and GPS are non-negotiable.
Wind averages 15 mph across the 30-day window and maxes at 28 mph; thermal afternoon acceleration is predictable. Temperature holds around 40°F on average, with annual extremes between 26°F and 57°F. The peak sits high enough that seasonal swing is sharp: early season snowpack persists into June in heavy years, and autumn frosts arrive by mid-September. Crowding is minimal, roughly 5.0 on the scale, because the approach is rough and avalanche terrain is obvious. Winter visitors must consult current avalanche advisories; wind slabs form on lee faces after storms.
This peak suits experienced backcountry navigators and ski mountaineers with avalanche training. Summer is a rock scramble for fit hikers comfortable with exposure and route-finding. Winter is ski or snowshoe only, and only when the snowpack is stable. Parking is informal and space is not an issue. The primary hazard is avalanche terrain in winter and spring; the secondary hazard is afternoon wind that can make exposed ridges uncomfortable by mid-day. Plan to summit and descend by early afternoon. Visibility degrades fast in the afternoon as thermals build cumulus.
Nearby peaks like Sierra Buttes (to the north) and Johnnyville area summits offer similar exposure but with better trail definition. Meadow View Peak's true advantage is isolation; a quiet place to test winter skills in genuine alpine terrain. Experienced parties often link it with adjacent peaks in a two or three-day ski tour. The North Sierra corridor as a whole rewards those willing to trade developed trailhead amenities for solitude and variable snow conditions.