Intake 2 Campground
Campground · Eastern Sierra corridor
Intake 2 Campground sits at 8,176 feet in the Eastern Sierra, a high-elevation base camp near the crest. Calmer than the exposed ridges above, it anchors access to the upper Mono Basin drainage.
Wind averages 11 mph but ramps sharply by afternoon, funneling off the Sierra crest. Morning stillness gives way to sustained gusts by mid-day. Cold persists through spring; overnight temperatures drop below freezing most nights. Head here early in the day to avoid the wind.
Over the last 30 days, the average wind has held at 11 mph with gusts to 38 mph, and average temperature stays near 28 degrees Fahrenheit. The 30-day average NoGo Score of 14 reflects consistent wind and cold; spring conditions here remain unsettled. The week ahead will follow the same pattern: expect morning windows and afternoon wind escalation.
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About Intake 2 Campground
Intake 2 Campground occupies a high-elevation bench in the Eastern Sierra corridor, roughly 8,176 feet up in the upper Mono Basin drainage system. Access is via Highway 395 north from Bishop or south from Lee Vining; the campground lies east of the Sierra crest, exposed to the rain shadow and the westerly flow that dominates the region. The nearest gateway town is Lee Vining, approximately 35 minutes south. The site itself is small and lightly developed, typical of the high country infrastructure in this zone. No paved highway reaches it; a rough road serves as the final approach, passable in spring and summer but requiring careful judgment in snow or mud.
Spring conditions at Intake 2 are defined by afternoon wind and lingering cold. The 30-day average temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit reflects the high elevation and the Sierra's spring character. Wind averages 11 mph but gusts routinely exceed 30 mph in the afternoon; the rolling 30-day maximum reached 38 mph. Snowpack lingers into late spring, blocking higher trails and keeping the drainage wet and runoff-heavy. Summer brings relief; by mid to late summer, afternoon winds remain but temperatures climb into the low 40s Fahrenheit. Crowding stays modest year-round, averaging 7 out of a relative scale, a reflection of the remote location and rough access. Early autumn offers the calmest stretch before winter cold returns.
Intake 2 suits backcountry skiers in spring, peak-baggers targeting the crest, and anglers working the high creeks during runoff. The campground is a staging point rather than a destination; users plan around morning weather windows and avoid the afternoon wind entirely. Parking is primitive and limited; arrive early in the day to secure a spot. Bring stove fuel and warm layers; the site offers no amenities. Water comes from snowmelt or high springs; winter and early spring visitors must melt snow. The elevation eliminates most casual camping; this is for experienced Sierra travelers who know how to navigate wet meadows, stream crossings, and sudden cold snaps.
Nearby alternatives include higher alpine camps along the crest and lower elevation sites in the Mono Basin proper. Mammoth Lakes, south and lower, offers developed camping with milder conditions and wind patterns; it sits in a more sheltered basin. Convict Lake, also south, has better afternoon protection and warmer springs. For those committed to the high country, Intake 2 remains the easternmost high-elevation base camp in the immediate corridor, offering unobstructed access to the 11,000-plus foot passes and ridges. Time a visit for stable high pressure and calm mornings; skip the location entirely if afternoon wind and cold do not suit your plan.