Quail Lake
Lake · 6,873 ft · Lake Tahoe corridor
Quail Lake sits at 6,873 feet in the Lake Tahoe corridor's Sierra Nevada high country. A modest alpine lake, it draws fewer visitors than the main basin and offers calmer conditions than the exposed waters just east.
Wind off Quail Lake typically builds in early afternoon, funneling down from the ridgeline to the north. Morning hours are markedly calmer. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks afternoon gusts that can exceed 20 mph. Cold water and exposure to afternoon heating mean plan water activities for dawn.
Over the last 30 days, Quail Lake has averaged a NoGo Score of 13.0 with temperatures holding around 36 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind at 8 mph. The week ahead will show typical spring variability, with afternoon wind the dominant driver of visitability. Head here on calm mornings; skip mid-afternoon if you are sensitive to wind.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Quail Lake
Quail Lake is a small alpine reservoir in the high Sierra, sitting at 6,873 feet on the eastern slope of the Tahoe divide. Access is via Highway 89 from the south (Markleeville approach) or from the north via Highway 50 and local roads. The location sees only a quarter of the foot traffic of main-basin Tahoe, making it a genuine escape from weekend crowds. Gateway towns are Markleeville to the south and South Lake Tahoe to the northwest. The lake drains into the Upper Truckee River system.
Spring and early summer at Quail Lake bring sustained afternoon wind driven by sun-heated slopes above the water. The 30-day rolling maximum wind of 24 mph is typical for this elevation and aspect during the warmer months. Temperature swings from the annual minimum of 22 degrees (winter) to summer highs near 52 degrees signal a climate zone where early mornings are reliably calm and afternoons grow turbulent. Crowding sits low year-round, averaging 3 out of 10, which means parking and shoreline access rarely constrict. Snowpack persistence into late May occasionally closes or muddles approach roads.
Quail Lake suits anglers, kayakers, and swimmers who prioritize solitude and can work around wind. Experienced visitors plan water activities for dawn or dusk, when the lake mirrors the ridgeline and wind drops to single digits. The cold water (typically in the 40s even in summer) demands respect; wetsuits are standard for extended paddle time. Parking is informal and rarely full. The modest size means no motorboats and minimal wake, making it ideal for paddlers and rowers uncomfortable with busier basins.
For a larger alpine lake with slightly more amenities and similar solitude, consider the high-country waters south of Highway 50 in the Carson Pass corridor. Caples Lake and Silver Lake offer comparable elevation, snowmelt-driven temperature profiles, and afternoon wind patterns, but with marginally better road access and fishing reputation. Quail Lake's real advantage is its direct proximity to the quiet crest roads and its position as a true working snowmelt lake rather than a recreation afterthought.