Cyclamen Lake
Lake · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Cyclamen Lake sits at 10,459 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia high country, a glacial basin tucked below granite ridges. Wind and exposure shape the afternoon experience here more than most neighboring alpine lakes.
Cyclamen Lake catches afternoon wind off surrounding slopes by mid-day; mornings are calm and protected. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks peaks to 18 mph when thermals build. Temperature swings from freezing overnight to barely above freezing at midday; plan for winter gear even in late spring.
Over the past 30 days, Cyclamen Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 14.0 with temperatures holding at 31 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind at 8 mph. The lake's exposure means wind can spike fast once the sun clears the eastern ridges. The coming week will track the seasonal pattern: calm mornings through mid-morning, rising wind by noon, peak gusts in the afternoon. Crowding remains light year-round at this elevation.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Cyclamen Lake
Cyclamen Lake is a small alpine lake in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of the southern Sierra Nevada, situated at 10,459 feet in a glacially-carved basin. Access is via the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow near Sequoia National Park's Moro Rock, or via the Kern Canyon Trail from the south. The primary gateway is Three Rivers (Highway 198 approach) or Kernville (Highway 155 approach); drive times are 3 to 4 hours from the Central Valley. The lake lies in a remote backcountry zone with limited parking at trailheads and no developed facilities on-site. Winter and early spring access requires winter gear and avalanche-safe routing (though the lake itself sits on non-avalanche terrain).
Cyclamen Lake's weather is defined by high elevation and exposure to afternoon thermals. The 30-day average temperature is 31 degrees Fahrenheit; daily lows drop to near freezing or below, while daytime highs rarely exceed 40 degrees Fahrenheit in spring. Wind averages 8 mph over rolling 30 days but peaks at 18 mph when afternoon heating drives air up the surrounding drainages. Morning conditions are typically calm and glassy; wind builds by late morning and dominates the afternoon. Snowpack persists into early summer, and exposed granite retains ice into late spring. Crowding is minimal year-round (average crowding score of 5.0), a function of the remote access and high-altitude barrier.
Cyclamen Lake suits backcountry travelers, mountaineers, and experienced high-country campers comfortable with self-sufficiency and cold. Paddlers targeting flat water should arrive by mid-morning before wind peaks; afternoon sessions face sustained headwinds returning to the trailhead. Fishing is possible but sparse. The lake works best as a multi-day camp base rather than a day-trip destination given the approach distance and elevation. Bring waterproof, insulating layers rated to 15 degrees Fahrenheit and plan for snow travel in spring and early summer. Cell service is nonexistent. Water is abundant from snowmelt and spring seeps; filtration is essential.
Nearby alternatives in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor include Kern Lake (lower elevation, longer approach from Highway 155) and the Rae Lakes chain (north of Cyclamen, higher traffic, more established camping). Cyclamen Lake offers solitude at a cost: the approach is lengthy and the weather window is narrow. Visitors comparing Kings Canyon and Sequoia options often choose Cyclamen Lake specifically to avoid crowds, accepting the remote logistics. The lake's basin provides shelter from the worst afternoon gusts, but sustained exposure to westerly flow means no true windless afternoons. Plan a flexible trip window and be prepared to exit early if weather deteriorates.