Cottonwood Lake Number Five
Lake · 11,197 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Cottonwood Lake Number Five sits at 11,197 feet in the Eastern Sierra, a high-elevation alpine lake fed by snowmelt and cirque runoff. Wind-exposed and cold, it demands careful timing.
The lake funnels afternoon wind off surrounding ridges; mornings typically run calm. At this elevation, temperatures average 21 degrees Fahrenheit across the rolling 30-day window, with gusts reaching 45 mph. Expect severe exposure once the sun crosses mid-sky.
Over the last 30 days, Cottonwood Lake Number Five averaged a NoGo Score of 36 with wind averaging 14 mph and temperatures holding at 21 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead should hold similar patterns. Check the trend grid below to spot the rare calm windows; they close fast at this elevation.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Cottonwood Lake Number Five
Cottonwood Lake Number Five lies in the high Sierra Nevada backcountry, accessed via the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead near Lone Pine on the east side of the range. Highway 395 runs north-south through Lone Pine; the trailhead sits west of town in the Alabama Hills foothills. This is a high-traffic gateway for mountaineers and backpackers targeting the Cottonwood Lakes chain and the Sierra crest proper. The lake sits at the threshold between tundra and permanent snowfields; access depends entirely on snowpack retreat and trail condition.
Cottonwood Lake Number Five experiences extreme seasonal swings. Winter and early spring bring heavy snow, avalanche danger on approach slopes, and cold that drops below 4 degrees Fahrenheit on the rolling 365-day minimum. The rolling 30-day average temperature of 21 degrees Fahrenheit reflects the current spring transition; as snowpack recedes, daytime highs climb but wind velocity remains consistently high across this exposed alpine basin. Wind is the dominant driver of conditions; the 30-day average of 14 mph undersells the afternoon gusts that routinely exceed 30 mph by 2 p.m. Crowding remains light (rolling 30-day average of 3 out of 10) because the trailhead is remote and the lake is a technical climb rather than a day-hike destination.
Cottonwood Lake Number Five suits mountaineers, rock scramblers, and backpackers with high-altitude experience. Casual day-hikers and families should avoid the approach and the exposed terrain around the lake itself. Plan for winter conditions well into late spring; avalanche terrain exists on approach gullies and the ridge traverse. Wind dominates the afternoon; head to the lake on calm mornings and expect to be pinned by mid-afternoon if you're paddling or exposed on rock. The 45 mph maximum wind on the rolling 365-day record is not an outlier; it's routine in this corridor. Bring layers, a tarp, and a wind-resistant shelter. Snowpack can linger until mid-summer depending on the year.
Nearby Cottonwood Lakes One, Two, Three, and Four sit lower and offer longer views. Cottonwood Lake Number Six sits even higher and more exposed. For a less technical alpine experience at similar elevation, consider the Kearsarge Lakes chain to the north or Rae Lakes further up the Inyo drainage. All of these lakes share the Eastern Sierra's hallmark: extreme wind exposure, late-season snowpack, and rapid afternoon deterioration. Skip all of them in the afternoon unless you're sheltered and acclimated to high altitude.