PINE GLEN
Campground · Mammoth Lakes corridor
Pine Glen sits at 7,815 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. This high-elevation campground offers reliable access to alpine terrain with moderate crowds and steady afternoon winds.
Wind accelerates through the afternoon, typically from the west. Morning conditions are calmest; by midday, gusts reach 12 mph on average. Temperature swings are sharp at this elevation. Expect clear skies most days in spring, with rapid weather transitions typical of the high Sierra.
Over the last 30 days, Pine Glen has averaged 12 mph wind and a NoGo Score of 15, with afternoon gusts peaking at 31 mph. Temperatures have held near 31 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead follows the same pattern: morning windows are narrow, and afternoon conditions tighten. Plan early starts and bail by midday if wind or cold is a concern.
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About PINE GLEN
Pine Glen is a developed campground in the Mammoth Lakes region, accessed via Highway 395. The site sits on the eastern side of the Sierra crest at 7,815 feet elevation, placing it above the valley floor and exposed to afternoon wind funnels. Closest towns are Mammoth Lakes (south) and Lee Vining (east via Highway 120). The campground offers pull-through and tent sites with vehicle access and basic services. This elevation and exposure make it a reliable year-round hub for backcountry access, fishing, and snow sports, but wind and cold are defining constraints.
Spring conditions at Pine Glen track the high-Sierra pattern: freezing nights (minimum 17 degrees across the year), warming days (average 31 degrees in the rolling 30-day window), and persistent afternoon wind. The 30-day average wind of 12 mph understates the afternoon peak; gusts routinely hit 31 mph by 2 or 3 p.m. Crowding holds at 8 out of 10 on the rolling 30-day average, moderate for the corridor. Snowpack lingers into late spring; check Highway 120 conditions before arriving, as closure windows disrupt access. Late summer (September) sees the calmest and warmest conditions; winter (November through March) brings frequent wind and cold that can strand visitors.
Pine Glen suits visitors planning multi-day stays in the Mammoth basin. It's a basecamp for anglers targeting local streams and alpine lakes, and a staging point for hikers and mountaineers accessing the Ritter Range and Minarets. Experienced visitors arrive with contingency plans; afternoon wind forces a morning-only schedule for exposed activities. Parking fills weekends in summer and ski season. Bring layers; temperature swings of 30+ degrees from day to night are routine. Wind breaks (tarps, low-profile tents) are essential.
Nearby alternatives include Tioga Lake (north via Highway 120, windier and higher) and Mammoth Mountain campgrounds (south, slightly lower elevation and busier). June Lake Loop (west, more sheltered) is a calmer option for car camping if afternoon wind becomes problematic. The Mammoth Lakes corridor sits at the intersection of Highway 395 (north-south spine) and Highway 120 (east-west Sierra crossing); road conditions and wind patterns make Pine Glen's location both strategic and exposed.