Red Cinder Cone
Peak · 8,020 ft · North Sierra corridor
Red Cinder Cone is an 8,020-foot peak in California's North Sierra corridor, sitting in high-elevation terrain with significant avalanche exposure. Winter access requires careful snowpack assessment.
Red Cinder Cone sits exposed at elevation where wind averages 9 mph but can spike to 26 mph, typically strongest in afternoon hours. Temperature swings from 22 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit across the year. Spring and early winter bring heaviest snow; summer offers stable but windy conditions. Morning calm is the rule; skip afternoon approaches when wind funnels across ridges.
Over the last 30 days, Red Cinder Cone averaged a NoGo Score of 35.0 with temperatures holding at 35 degrees Fahrenheit and wind at 9 mph average, though gusts have topped 26 mph. The week ahead should trend toward higher crowds as late spring pushes more visitors into the North Sierra corridor. Watch the score chart closely; spikes flag wind or snowpack instability tied to frontal passage.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Red Cinder Cone
Red Cinder Cone rises to 8,020 feet in the North Sierra, a high-elevation volcanic feature accessed primarily from Highway 89 corridor towns and the Modoc Plateau approaches. The peak sits on terrain mapped by the Sacramento Avalanche Center; winter and spring ascents cross active avalanche slopes that demand training and current snowpack bulletins. Summer access is easier but still requires scramble fitness and stable footing on volcanic scree. No maintained trail exists; navigation is cross-country. Parking is limited and scattered; arrive early or plan a weekday approach to avoid bottlenecks at trailheads.
Conditions at Red Cinder Cone are dictated by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit reflects lingering winter; summer highs reach the low 50s Fahrenheit, but nights drop fast even in July. Wind averages 9 mph but routinely exceeds that by afternoon; the 30-day maximum of 26 mph is typical for spring ridge gusts. Crowding averages 5.0 out of 10 over 30 days, meaning light traffic on most days but sharp spikes after weather windows close or holiday weekends. Late September through early October offers the most stable combination of low wind, moderate temperatures, and stable snowpack residue.
Red Cinder Cone suits experienced scrambler hikers, ski tourers in winter, and peak baggers comfortable with cross-country navigation and avalanche terrain. Parties must carry a shovel, beacon, and probe in winter and early spring; understand slab and wind-slab triggers on the slopes facing northeast and east. Summer ascents demand sun protection and plenty of water; volcanic cinder drains fast and holds no reliable water sources. The peak delivers views of Lassen Peak, the Medicine Lake highlands, and the Modoc Plateau. Expect solitude most days; this is not a crowded destination.
Nearby peaks in the North Sierra include Lassen Peak to the southwest and several unnamed ridges and cinder cones scattered across the Modoc plateau. Red Cinder Cone's isolation and avalanche terrain make it a step beyond popular day-hike destinations; it rewards experienced mountaineers and ski tourers willing to travel cross-country and manage avalanche risk. Pair a Red Cinder visit with exploration of the Medicine Lake Volcano complex or the Modoc Plateau's lesser-known summits for a multi-day High Sierra traverse.