Blue Jay Lake #4
Lake · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Blue Jay Lake #4 sits at 11,086 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. This high-elevation alpine lake offers shelter from afternoon winds and moderate solitude compared to lower Mammoth Basin destinations.
Wind typically builds by mid-afternoon, funneling off the exposed water. Morning hours stay calm and significantly warmer relative to wind speed. The 30-day average wind of 9 mph masks daily swings from near-flat water at dawn to 20+ mph gusts by 3 p.m. Head early to avoid the afternoon push.
Over the last 30 days, Blue Jay Lake #4 averaged a NoGo Score of 13.0, with wind running 9 mph and temperatures holding at 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions have been consistent at this elevation through spring; the week ahead continues this pattern of calm mornings and afternoon stiffening. Crowding remains light at 4.0 on average, keeping the lake quieter than Mammoth Lake proper.
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About Blue Jay Lake #4
Blue Jay Lake #4 is a high-alpine lake at 11,086 feet on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, roughly 3 miles south of Mammoth Lakes proper. Access is via Highway 395 from the town of Mammoth Lakes; the trailhead lies on the Mammoth Lakes-Devils Postpile road, with parking near the Mammoth Lakes Pack Station area. The lake is one of several numbered Blue Jay lakes in this drainage; #4 is the smallest and least trafficked of the cluster. Alpine setting and moderate elevation make it reachable most summers once snowpack clears mid-June.
Spring and early summer bring cold nights (the 365-day minimum is 20 degrees Fahrenheit) and afternoon wind spikes that can reach 24 mph on exposed water. The 30-day average temperature of 33 degrees reflects lingering winter conditions at this elevation. By late summer, afternoon winds typically exceed 15 mph by 2 p.m., driven by thermal convection and funneling through the Mammoth drainage. Crowding remains minimal year-round due to the lake's obscurity and distance from major trailheads; the 30-day average crowding of 4.0 indicates few visitors except on holiday weekends or days immediately following Highway 395 maintenance closures.
Blue Jay Lake #4 suits hikers seeking alpine solitude and photographers targeting high-elevation meadow and rock scenery. The low crowding score means parking stress is minimal even on peak weekends. Experienced backcountry travelers pair visits with adjacent lakes in the Blue Jay chain or combine with a loop into the Red's Meadow drainage. Wind-sensitive activities like fly-fishing or paddling are best planned for mornings; afternoon visits risk whitecap conditions that discourage small craft. The lake's elevation and exposure mean afternoon thunderstorms are possible in mid to late summer; plan trips to end by 2 p.m. on days with building cumulus.
Nearby alternatives include Mammoth Lake (more exposed to wind, higher crowding) to the north, and the Inyo Craters area (lower elevation, warmer, windier) to the east. For similar alpine conditions with slightly better afternoon shelter, Horseshoe Lake offers a comparable elevation and fewer afternoon thermals due to its orientation. The Blue Jay chain as a whole remains one of the least-visited high-lakes near Mammoth; visitors seeking guaranteed solitude and willing to start before dawn will find minimal foot traffic even on peak summer weekends.