Third Lake
Lake · Eastern Sierra corridor
Third Lake sits at 10,240 feet in the Eastern Sierra, a high-elevation alpine basin fed by snowmelt and glacial drainage. Wind-exposed but accessible by trail from the Mono Basin corridor.
Third Lake faces direct afternoon wind funneling down from the crest; mornings are typically calmer. At this elevation, temperature swings 27 degrees across the year. Wind regularly reaches 41 mph on exposed days. Expect afternoon gusts even on nominally calm mornings once the sun warms the basin.
Over the last 30 days, Third Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 14.0 with wind averaging 12 mph and temperatures holding at 19 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will show whether afternoon wind intensifies or holds steady. Crowding remains light at a 3.0 rating; most visitors come on clear-sky weekends when wind is also strongest.
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About Third Lake
Third Lake occupies a glacially-scoured pocket on the east flank of the Eastern Sierra crest, north of Mammoth Lakes and accessible via the High Sierra Camps and connecting trails from the Mono Basin side. The lake drains to the Owens watershed through a series of creeks and ponds. Primary approach runs through the Mammoth-June Lake Loop (Highway 395 corridor) with trailhead parking typically available along the standard access routes from Mammoth Lakes Village or the Ansel Adams Wilderness boundary. Elevation of 10,240 feet puts the site at or near timberline; snow persists into early summer in most years.
Third Lake's weather profile is typical of high-Sierra alpine lakes: extreme annual temperature range from 5 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, with the 30-day average now holding at 19 degrees. Wind averages 12 mph over the rolling month but frequently spikes to 41 mph on clear afternoons as thermal circulation drives air off the crest. The lake remains snow-covered or partially frozen through much of spring; ice-out occurs late in the season. Crowding is minimal year-round (3.0 rating), partly because access demands either a full day hike or high-Sierra camp reservation, and partly because the lake offers little shelter from afternoon wind.
Third Lake suits backcountry campers, fastpackers, and high-Sierra trekkers willing to climb above treeline and accept exposure. No motorised access exists; the lake is a destination for overnight or multi-day trips, not a day-use picnic spot. Experienced visitors plan around afternoon wind by starting early and either sheltering in camp by mid-afternoon or timing arrival for evening calm. Snowpack typically blocks full access until late spring or early summer. Fishing pressure is light. Water temperature remains near freezing year-round; swimming is not practical.
Nearby alternatives include Cascade Lake and other eastern crest basins accessible from Mammoth Lakes Valley and the High Sierra Camps network. These neighbours sit at comparable elevation and face identical wind and cold patterns. The trade-off is accessibility: Third Lake's remoteness is both its defining feature (minimal crowds, pristine setting) and its primary barrier (multi-hour approach, overnight commitment). Visitors comparing options should check current snowpack conditions before committing; Highway 395 access is reliable year-round, but trail snow can linger at this elevation into June.