Lower Crabtree Lake
Lake · 11,056 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Lower Crabtree Lake sits at 11,056 feet in the Eastern Sierra, a glacially-fed alpine basin below Crabtree Pass. Wind-exposed and snow-dependent, it demands respect for avalanche terrain and afternoon squalls.
Afternoon wind is the defining feature. Morning calm gives way to sustained gusts funneling down the drainage by midday. The 30-day average wind of 13 mph masks peak gusts near 47 mph. Temperature averages 21 degrees Fahrenheit over the month; expect snow coverage through late spring and bare rock by early autumn.
Over the past 30 days, Lower Crabtree Lake has averaged a NoGo Score of 36.0, with conditions ranging from excellent (score 4) to marginal (score 65). The 30-day average wind of 13 mph and crowding level of 3 reflect spring conditions typical of high-Sierra passes. Watch the 7-day forecast below; wind and temperature swings are sharp at this elevation, and avalanche risk remains active where snowpack persists.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Lower Crabtree Lake
Lower Crabtree Lake lies in the Crabtree drainage, part of the Eastern Sierra corridor east of the Sierra crest near Mount Whitney. Access from the west requires driving Highway 395 south from Bishop toward Lone Pine, then branching inland via the Mount Whitney Portal Road or Horseshoe Meadow Road depending on season and snow closure. From the east, approaches are longer and snow-dependent. The lake sits at 11,056 feet in a cirque basin carved by glacial activity; the Crabtree Pass drainage funnels weather directly into the lake basin, making wind and weather arrival fast and pronounced.
Spring and early summer bring persistent snowpack; the lake remains mostly frozen or slushy through May. By late June, melt accelerates and the basin opens for brief summer access. The rolling 30-day average temperature of 21 degrees Fahrenheit shows conditions remain cold well into spring. Wind averages 13 mph over 30 days but gusts reach 47 mph regularly; these pulses occur mid-afternoon as differential heating draws air up the canyons. Crowding (rolling 30-day average of 3.0) is light year-round owing to access difficulty and high elevation. Winter and early spring avalanche terrain dominates the upper basin and surrounding ridges; the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center tracks active danger on the steeper facing slopes.
Lower Crabtree Lake suits mountaineers, backcountry skiers, and high-elevation hikers with route-finding skill and avalanche awareness. Summer visitors come for fishing and alpine camping; the short season (typically July through September) concentrates use. Winter and spring access requires crampons, ice axes, and avalanche transceivers; many approaches are avalanche-terrain crossings. Parking is extremely limited and informal at the various trailheads; arrive early or plan a multi-day mission. Wind exposure means afternoon paddling or fishing is marginal after mid-morning; head out at first light and retreat by noon if conditions matter.
Nearby Upper Crabtree Lake lies above the lower basin in the same drainage; it is higher, colder, and typically snow-bound longer. Mount Whitney and the Crabtree Pass traverses are popular ski descents in spring; the same avalanche and wind exposure applies. The Inyo National Forest administers the area. Condition reports from the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center are essential before any winter or spring attempt. Summer brings better weather stability but still-gusty afternoons and afternoon thunderstorm risk in late July and August.