Mace Lake
Lake · 10,515 ft · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Mace Lake sits at 10,515 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. This high-elevation alpine lake offers solitude and exposure to afternoon wind funneling off the basin.
Wind dominates the afternoon; mornings are typically calmer. The 30-day average wind is 14 mph, but gusts exceed 40 mph by mid-day on most clear days. Expect cold: the rolling 30-day average temperature is 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Head here early.
Over the last 30 days, Mace Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 36.0 with wind averaging 14 mph and temperatures near 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Crowding remains minimal at a 4.0 baseline, making this a genuine backcountry destination. The week ahead will follow typical spring patterns: calm mornings, rising wind by afternoon, and avalanche terrain sensitivity given late-season snowpack variability.
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About Mace Lake
Mace Lake lies in the high Sierra east of Mammoth Lakes, accessible via Highway 395 and the Mammoth corridor approach roads. The lake sits in a glacially-carved basin at 10,515 feet, surrounded by talus and sparse whitebark pine. Access requires a backcountry route; this is not a roadside destination. The base popularity score of 0.25 reflects its remoteness and the effort required to reach it. Most visitors approach from the Mammoth Lakes area via either the Sherwin Lakes drainage or the Mule Lake trail system, depending on seasonal conditions and trailhead closure windows.
Spring through early autumn is the usable season; winter and early spring avalanche terrain risk closes access. The 30-day rolling average score of 36.0 reflects marginal conditions. Temperature averages 23 degrees Fahrenheit in the rolling 30-day window, with historical lows near 8 degrees and highs reaching 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind is the primary driver of NoGo Scores here; the 30-day average is 14 mph, but gusts have reached 43 mph. Crowding remains consistently low at 4.0, meaning solitude is nearly guaranteed. Plan for rapid temperature swings; afternoon wind and cooling are reliable.
Mace Lake suits experienced high-Sierra hikers and backpackers comfortable with exposure, thin air, and self-rescue. Anglers target the lake for small cutthroat populations. Most trips are overnight or longer because road-to-lake time is substantial. Skip afternoon visits; the average wind of 14 mph masks afternoon gusts above 40 mph that make exposed sections dangerous. Snowmelt feed means water levels and creek crossings vary week to week through early summer. Parking at the trailhead is limited; arrive early or plan a weekday approach. Avalanche terrain runs along the approach and basin; assess snowpack stability and cornices before committing to the route.
Visitors comparing Mace Lake to other Mammoth corridor lakes often choose it for isolation rather than amenity. Duck Lake and Gem Lake are more developed and reachable; Mace is the harder alternative and rewards that effort with near-total solitude. The Sherwin Lakes basin offers easier access and lower avalanche exposure, while Mace trades convenience for a wilder setting. The ESAC avalanche center tracks conditions for the corridor; check that source before a spring or early-summer trip. Pair Mace with a broader Mammoth Lakes climbing or fishing expedition, but plan it as a backcountry mission, not a day visit.