Six Shooter Lake
Lake · 10,826 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Six Shooter Lake sits at 10,826 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high-alpine cirque lake fed by snowmelt, it remains sheltered from afternoon wind longer than the exposed basins to the east.
Morning calm dominates here; wind funnels up the drainage by mid-afternoon, typically from the west. Temperature swings between freezing and the low 30s Fahrenheit at this elevation. The lake surface settles before 10 a.m. and roughens steadily through the afternoon. Expect crowds only on rare warm weekends; solitude is the norm.
Over the past 30 days, Six Shooter Lake averaged 10 mph wind and 24 degrees Fahrenheit, with a maximum wind gust of 39 mph. The rolling 30-day NoGo Score averaged 16, meaning most days are passable for prepared visitors. The week ahead will follow spring patterns: calm mornings, afternoon wind, and variable snowpack depending on elevation and aspect.
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About Six Shooter Lake
Six Shooter Lake occupies a glacially-scoured cirque at 10,826 feet in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor, roughly 15 miles east of the Sierra crest. Access is via the High Sierra Camps loop or eastern approach from Inyo County via Highway 395; drive times from Bishop or Visalia vary between 3 to 5 hours depending on route and snowpack. The lake drains northwest into the Kern River system. Its isolation and small size keep base popularity at 0.25, meaning weekday solitude is nearly guaranteed outside July and early August.
This elevation locks in cold: the 365-day high is 37 degrees Fahrenheit, winter lows drop to 12 degrees. Spring and fall bring the tightest wind patterns. The 30-day average wind of 10 mph understates afternoon gusts; maximum wind in the rolling 30 days hit 39 mph, typical for high-alpine cirques as thermal updrafts accelerate after noon. Crowding averages only 5 on a 100-point scale, meaning you will rarely see more than a handful of other visitors. Snow lingers into late June in most years; the lake is fully accessible and best visited between late July and late September.
Six Shooter Lake suits backpackers seeking a high-pass crossing or a remote camp spot off the main High Sierra trail corridor. Anglers find cutthroat trout but expect limited populations. Experienced visitors plan for calm-morning photography or fishing, then retreat by early afternoon as wind picks up. The lake has no designated campground; camping is dispersed and low-impact. Bring a stove; no fires above 10,000 feet. Water is abundant but always requires filtration. A weather radio or satellite communicator is wise given the exposure and distance from help.
Nearby alternatives include Columbine Lake and Kern Lake, both within a day's walk but less sheltered and more exposed to afternoon wind. Forester Pass and Kearsarge Pass lie to the west and east respectively; Six Shooter Lake is best approached as part of a longer loop rather than a day trip. The remote setting and minimal crowds make it ideal for visitors fleeing the packed slopes and lakeshores of the main Sierra Nevada highway corridors.