Barrett Lakes
Lake · Eastern Sierra corridor
Barrett Lakes sits at 11,526 feet in the Eastern Sierra's high country, a pair of glacially-fed alpine pools above the Mono Basin. Wind and exposure define the place; plan early mornings.
Wind funnels up the drainage and peaks by mid-afternoon, often gusting above 20 mph. Morning flat water gives way to chop by lunch. Cold persists year-round; the 30-day average temperature is 19 degrees Fahrenheit. Head here on calm mornings or expect a rough paddle.
Over the past 30 days, the average NoGo Score was 14.0, with wind averaging 12 mph but spiking to 41 mph on the worst days. Temperatures have held near 19 degrees Fahrenheit on average. The week ahead follows the same high-elevation pattern: expect calm dawn windows and afternoon blow. Pack insulation and plan a dawn departure if you're paddling or climbing.
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About Barrett Lakes
Barrett Lakes occupies a glacially-carved basin in the Eastern Sierra corridor, due east of the Ritter Range divide. The lake sits at 11,526 feet elevation above the Mono Basin floor. Access is via Highway 120 from the west (Yosemite gateway) or Highway 395 from the east and south (Bishop, Mammoth, Lee Vining). The primary trailhead lies off the Mono Pass approach; drive time from Lee Vining is under 2 hours. The lakes are less trafficked than Tenaya Lake or Mono Lake viewpoints, with a base popularity rating of 0.25.
Barrett Lakes' character is shaped entirely by high-elevation exposure and continental climate. The 30-day average wind is 12 mph, but afternoon gusts consistently exceed 20 mph, with recorded maxima near 41 mph. Temperature averages 19 degrees Fahrenheit over the past month and has ranged from 5 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit over the year. Snowpack lingers into summer; melt peaks in July. Wind drops earliest at dawn and stays manageable only until mid-morning. Afternoon thermals funnel up the east-facing drainage by noon. Crowding is minimal (averaging 3.0 on the scale), spiking only in the first weeks after Highway 120 opens and during holiday weekends.
Barrett Lakes is best for overnight backpackers and early-rising anglers willing to time arrival for calm water. Kayak and canoe traffic is light compared to Tenaya or Grant Lake. The high elevation demands acclimation; visitors arriving from sea level often feel altitude effects above 11,000 feet. Reliable parking exists at the trailhead but fills on the few warm weekends. Snow closes Highway 120 from November through May in most years; verify CalTrans conditions before driving west. The lake's shallow arms freeze solid in winter; summer water temperature rarely exceeds 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nearby alternatives include Tenaya Lake (lower, warmer, more crowded) and the Mono Lake South Tufa area (lower elevation, extreme mineral content, better afternoon stability). The Duck Lake drainage, adjacent to the north, offers similar alpine conditions but is less accessible. For a lower-elevation Eastern Sierra experience, Lee Vining Creek and Grant Lake provide fishing and paddling without the high-altitude cold and afternoon wind.