Girl Scout Lake
Lake · 11,571 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Girl Scout Lake sits at 11,571 feet in the Eastern Sierra, a high-alpine basin accessible only when snowpack retreats. Winter and spring require avalanche awareness; summer offers stable conditions and minimal crowds.
Wind averages 12 mph but gusts to 43 mph; afternoon flows funnel down the drainage, leaving mornings calmer. Cold dominates year-round; the 30-day average is 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure is complete once snow clears. Plan water-based activity for first light.
Over the last 30 days, conditions have averaged a NoGo Score of 36 with wind holding at 12 mph average and temperatures at 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will likely track similar patterns; crowding stays low at 3 on the scale. Watch for wind gusts that have reached 43 mph in recent weeks. Stability improves as snowpack consolidates.
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About Girl Scout Lake
Girl Scout Lake occupies a glacially-carved basin on the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada, accessed via Highway 395 and secondary trailheads in the Bishop area. The lake sits at 11,571 feet, roughly 45 minutes from US Route 395's main corridor. High elevation means the lake remains snow-covered into late spring; approach is only feasible once the trailhead and basin clear, typically after May. The surrounding peaks exceed 12,000 feet and funnel wind directly across the water. Parking is minimal and shoulder-season trailhead crowding is negligible; the lake's remoteness and high entry elevation keep it lightly visited compared to more accessible Eastern Sierra destinations.
Winter and early spring bring avalanche terrain exposure; the basin is rimmed by slopes steeper than 30 degrees, and rapid snowmelt or wind-slab formation creates instability. By mid to late summer, consolidated snowpack and lower temperatures stabilize the terrain. The 30-day average temperature of 16 degrees Fahrenheit reflects current spring conditions; summer maxima reach the mid-30s Fahrenheit, still cold enough to require a wetsuit for extended water immersion. Wind is persistent; the 30-day average of 12 mph masks afternoon gusts to 43 mph that funnel from the northwest. Morning wind is typically half that magnitude. Crowding averages 3 on the 10-point scale, meaning weekday visits see single-digit user counts.
Girl Scout Lake suits experienced alpinists, backcountry skiers during stable snow windows, and summer paddlers and swimmers willing to start before 10 a.m. to avoid afternoon wind. The lake is cold enough to hypothermia within minutes; immersion is not casual. Parking at the trailhead is tight and fills quickly on rare busy weekends; arrive before dawn or plan a weekday visit. Avalanche safety training and an ESAC (Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center) report are mandatory for winter and spring approaches. Snowpack stability is the primary gating condition; wind and temperature are secondary concerns once snow has consolidated.
Nearby alternatives include lake basins further south along the Sierra crest, which face similar wind and avalanche exposure but offer marginally better parking and established campgrounds. Higher peaks in the Eastern Sierra corridor (Inyo and White Mountains) offer steeper terrain and more dramatic exposure but require additional technical skills. Girl Scout Lake is best paired with neighboring cirque lakes in a multi-day traverse rather than as a standalone day trip.