Second Lake
Lake · 10,088 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Second Lake sits at 10,088 feet in the Eastern Sierra's high country, a glacially-fed alpine basin surrounded by granite peaks. Calmer than the open water to the east, it's accessible via the Bishop Creek drainage.
Wind funnels up the drainage by afternoon, typically building from near-calm mornings to sustained gusts. The lake sits in avalanche terrain; spring snowpack instability is the primary hazard. Early light and still air occur only in the first hours after sunrise.
Over the last 30 days, Second Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 36 with 12 mph winds and temperatures around 19°F; gusts reached 41 mph. The week ahead will show whether afternoon wind continues to dominate or if a weather pattern shift brings relief. Spring conditions here are unstable; monitor snowpack before any approach.
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About Second Lake
Second Lake lies at 10,088 feet in the Bishop Creek drainage of the Eastern Sierra, roughly 20 miles west of Bishop via Highway 395 and Forest Service Road 10. The lake is the second in a chain of alpine lakes accessible by foot from the Bishop Pass trailhead. Access requires a multi-hour approach on foot; there is no vehicle access to the lake itself. The drainage opens typically in late May or early June once Highway 395 is passable and the approach trail is snow-free. Winter access requires avalanche awareness and winter mountaineering skills.
Second Lake experiences classic high-Sierra weather: cold, windy afternoons and calm, clear mornings. The 30-day rolling average wind of 12 mph masks substantial variability; afternoon thermals drive gusts to 41 mph or higher as the day warms. Temperatures have averaged 19°F in recent weeks; expect single-digit nights year-round and freezing conditions even in mid-summer at elevation. Crowding is light to moderate (3.0 average) compared to popular valley lakes; most visitors arrive mid-morning or later, making early hours much quieter. Snowpack persists into July in most years; spring travel carries high avalanche risk in the Bishop Creek drainage.
Second Lake suits backpackers, alpinists, and fishing-focused visitors comfortable with multi-hour approaches and exposure to wind and cold. The lake is best visited by those who plan to arrive very early or accept afternoon wind as inevitable. Experienced visitors skip the 2-4 pm window entirely and either settle camp by midday or move on. Parking at the Bishop Pass trailhead fills on weekends; arrive by 7 am or plan a weekday trip. Water crossings are technical when melt is high; check conditions at the ranger station in Bishop before committing.
Nearby alternatives include the lower lakes in the Bishop Creek chain, which are warmer and more crowded but require shorter approaches. North Lake and South Lake, also accessed via Highway 395, offer similar elevation and exposure but different drainage patterns. Visitors heading to Second Lake should account for afternoon wind as non-negotiable and plan activities (fishing, climbing, camp setup) to finish before 3 pm. The lake's position in avalanche terrain demands that spring travel be deferred until the snowpack stabilizes, typically mid-June or later.