Intake 3
Lake · Eastern Sierra corridor
Intake 3 is a 7,182-foot alpine lake in California's Eastern Sierra, fed by snowmelt and nestled in the high country east of the Sierra crest. Wind and afternoon thermal effects dominate the conditions.
Wind accelerates off the lake by mid-afternoon as thermal gradients strengthen; mornings are typically calmer. At 7,182 feet, expect rapid temperature swings between sun and shade. The 30-day average wind of 11 mph masks gusts that routinely exceed 30 mph in the afternoon.
Over the last 30 days, Intake 3 has averaged a NoGo Score of 10.0, with temperatures holding near 41 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 11 mph. The week ahead will track similar patterns: morning windows remain the safest bet for stable conditions, while afternoon thermal wind and variable snowpack will drive the typical midday deterioration.
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About Intake 3
Intake 3 sits in the Inyo National Forest along the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada, roughly 25 miles west of Big Pine via Highway 395 and local forest service roads. The lake drains into the Owens River system and sits in the rain shadow of the Sierra crest, making it drier than comparable elevations on the west side. Access is via Forest Service roads that remain impassable in winter and early spring; summer typically opens the route by late spring. The Eastern Sierra corridor routes most traffic through Bishop or Mammoth Lakes; Intake 3 appeals to anglers and campers willing to navigate rougher access roads rather than highway-adjacent alternatives.
At 7,182 feet, Intake 3 experiences the full temperature swing of high-Sierra spring and early summer. The 30-day average temperature of 41 degrees reflects April conditions; by mid-summer the lake warms to the low 50s. Wind dominates the place. The 30-day rolling average is 11 mph, but the max observed in that window was 38 mph, reflecting strong afternoon thermal winds funneling off the exposed water. Crowding averages 3.0 on the rolling 30-day scale, far lower than Mammoth or June Lake. Late spring and early summer bring the heaviest use; winter access is typically impossible.
Intake 3 suits anglers, backcountry campers, and mountaineers using the lake as a basecamp for Sierra crossings. The lake itself is small enough that afternoon wind makes paddling or floating hazardous by mid-day; mornings before 10 a.m. offer the calmest window. Parking is limited and primitive; arrive early or plan a weekday trip. The elevation and position in the rain shadow mean the lake clears of ice earlier than west-slope equivalents, typically by late spring. Water temperature peaks in the mid-50s Fahrenheit even in late summer. Expect mosquitoes from June through August; late spring and early fall offer relief.
Nearby Mammoth Lake and the June Lake Loop offer higher-traffic, more developed alternatives within 40 miles. Sabrina Lake and South Lake to the south provide similar high-alpine character with comparable access difficulty. The Eastern Sierra corridor as a whole experiences stronger afternoon winds than comparable Cascade or Sierra-west locations due to rain-shadow heating and drainage-wind effects funneling through the Owens Valley.