Patricia Lake
Lake · 10,433 ft · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Patricia Lake sits at 10,433 ft in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. This high-elevation alpine cove is sheltered from afternoon wind by surrounding ridges and typically calmer than the open basins to the east.
Morning glass is common; wind builds from the southwest by midday and peaks in early afternoon. The lake's north-facing exposure keeps it colder than lower elevations. Afternoon gusts can exceed 30 mph. Head here early, or plan for afternoon wind and waves if you stay.
Over the past 30 days, Patricia Lake has averaged a NoGo Score of 35, with winds at 10 mph on average but gusts reaching 33 mph. Temperature has hovered around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead shows typical spring behavior: calm mornings followed by afternoon wind. Watch the trend chart for temperature spikes that signal retreating snowpack and increased crowding.
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About Patricia Lake
Patricia Lake occupies a glacial cirque on the east side of the Mammoth Lakes drainage, roughly 30 miles northwest of the town of Mammoth Lakes. Access is via Highway 395 north to Highway 203, then forest service roads into the backcountry. The lake sits in avalanche terrain; winter and spring approach requires assessment of the snowpack and understanding of slope aspect and recent loading. Summer and fall access via trail is straightforward. The nearest trailhead parking fills by mid-morning on weekends.
Conditions at Patricia Lake are shaped by its altitude and exposure. The 30-day rolling temperature average of 30 degrees Fahrenheit reflects its high-Sierra position; summer maxima exceed 44 degrees, but winter minima drop below 13 degrees. Wind averages 10 mph over rolling windows but peaks in afternoon, especially in spring and early summer when pressure gradients steepen. The 30-day rolling crowding average of 4 (on a 1 to 10 scale) masks weekend surges; expect fuller parking lots the first two weekends after Highway 203 opens to full access in late spring.
Patricia Lake suits backcountry skiers, mountaineers, and alpine backpackers. Winter and spring visitors must evaluate avalanche hazard; the lake drains complex terrain with wind-loaded north faces and cross-loaded gullies. Summer and fall paddlers and anglers find calmer conditions Tuesday through Thursday mornings. The shoreline is rocky and exposed; bring sun protection and water. Afternoon wind makes late-day visits unpleasant for paddle sports; plan to exit the water by early afternoon or skip windy days entirely. Parking is limited; arrive by 8 am on weekends.
Patricia Lake is one of several high cirque lakes in the Mammoth corridor. Nearby Mamie Lake and Horseshoe Lake offer similar conditions but slightly lower exposure; they fill faster on weekends. For a comparison at similar elevation and distance from Mammoth, Tioga Lake (east side of Sierra Crest) sits in more exposed terrain and sees higher afternoon wind. Visitors combining Patricia Lake with a weekend trip often pair it with lower-elevation lakes in the Mammoth Basin or a drive to the Mono Basin to check conditions across a range of elevations.