Mount Mahogany
Peak · North Sierra corridor
Mount Mahogany is a 6,276-foot peak in the North Sierra corridor, sitting above the transition zone between the high Sierra and lower ridges. Typically calmer than exposed alpine summits to the south.
Wind accelerates through mid-afternoon as thermals rise off lower drainages and funnel upslope. Morning hours are markedly calmer. Exposure on the upper slopes amplifies any breeze; tree cover in approach zones buffers wind until you break treeline.
Over the last 30 days, Mount Mahogany has averaged 10 mph wind and 41 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 30-day rolling score of 35. Conditions have swung from a low of 4 to a high of 50 over this window. The week ahead should follow typical late-spring patterns: expect calm mornings before wind picks up by noon, and watch for rapid temperature swings as snowpack retreats higher.
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About Mount Mahogany
Mount Mahogany sits in the North Sierra corridor at the junction of Sierra Nevada topography and lower basin terrain. Access via Highway 395 from Susanville or from Highway 70 corridors to the west; drive times from gateway towns range 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on approach. The peak anchors a high-elevation transition zone where snowpack lingers into late spring and summer heat does not dominate until late July. Proximity to the ridgeline between the Feather River drainage and higher alpine blocks makes this a natural waypoint for climbers crossing the corridor.
Wind averages 10 mph over the rolling 30-day window, but afternoon acceleration is pronounced. Temperature holds around 41 degrees on average, with seasonal extremes ranging from 27 degrees in winter to 58 degrees in summer. Crowding remains light at an average of 5, reflecting the peak's position in the North Sierra rather than on a major tourist corridor. Snowpack thickness and stability vary dramatically from early spring through June; the avalanche center of jurisdiction is SAC, and the terrain includes avalanche paths on the northeast and south faces. Morning ascents are strongly preferred; by mid-afternoon, thermals and wind gusts make exposed ridgework uncomfortable and increase objective hazard.
Mount Mahogany suits climbers comfortable with high-elevation snow travel and hikers with early-season tolerance for postholing and wet slab risk. Experienced North Sierra users plan ascents before 10 a.m. to clear the peak and descend before afternoon wind and convection spike. The lack of crowds means no parking bottlenecks, but it also means self-rescue liability is high; parties should move with solid routefinding and carry avalanche rescue kits through late spring. Those seeking a less technical high-elevation experience should wait until stable snow consolidation occurs, typically late June or later depending on melt rates.
Nearby alternatives in the North Sierra corridor include Lassen Peak to the northeast (higher, more snow, more exposed to afternoon wind) and the gentler Sierra Buttes approach to the southeast (lower elevation, faster to access, fewer avalanche hazards). Mount Mahogany works best as a spring or early-summer objective for parties with avalanche literacy and a commitment to pre-dawn starts. Summer visitation climbs markedly once trails clear and snowpack stabilizes; conditions shift from technical alpine to straightforward hiking by late July.