Asa Lake
Lake · 8,559 ft · Yosemite corridor
Asa Lake sits at 8,559 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a glacially-fed alpine lake ringed by lodgepole and whitebark pine. Wind and cold are constants; afternoon gusts dominate.
Morning calm gives way to afternoon wind funneling off the lake by mid-day. The 30-day average wind is 11 mph, but gusts spike to 29 mph in the afternoon. Water temperature tracks elevation; expect cold even in summer. Wind-sheltered coves exist on the north shore.
Over the last 30 days, Asa Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 34.0, with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 11 mph. The week ahead typically follows the same pattern: calm mornings fade to windy afternoons. Crowding remains light at 6.0 on the rolling 30-day average. Check avalanche conditions through the Sierra Avalanche Center if approaching via snow slopes.
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About Asa Lake
Asa Lake drains into the Merced River watershed on the eastern flank of the Yosemite corridor. The lake sits northeast of Tenaya Lake and west of the high passes that lead toward Mono Basin. Primary access is via Highway 120 eastbound from Yosemite Valley; the route climbs steeply through alpine forest. From the Highway 120 corridor, the lake is reached on foot via established trails that traverse open meadow and whitebark forest. Winter and early spring access requires snow travel skills and avalanche awareness. The high elevation means roads may close under heavy snow.
Seasonal character shifts sharply with snowpack. Spring brings unpredictable conditions; the rolling 365-day data shows temperatures ranging from a low of 16 degrees Fahrenheit to highs of 45 degrees. Wind maxes out at 29 mph year-round. By late September, nights drop below freezing and morning calm often lasts until mid-morning. The 30-day average NoGo Score of 34.0 reflects the constraint of afternoon wind and cold. Crowding stays low relative to Tenaya Lake or Tuolumne Meadows; the base popularity is 0.25, meaning few visitors filter this far into the corridor.
Asa Lake suits cold-weather photographers, mountaineers scouting high passes, and backcountry skiers or snowboarders during stable snowpack windows. Paddlers should plan for morning-only operations; afternoon wind makes any small craft unsafe. The lake's shallow shelves and drop-offs are known to anglers, but catches are marginal. Parties hiking the high-Sierra traverse use Asa Lake as a water and camp reference. Experienced visitors budget extra time for snow travel and check SAC avalanche bulletins before committing.
Nearby Tenaya Lake lies due west and is more sheltered and warmer; it draws crowds 10 times higher. Cathedral Lakes sit south and offer steeper terrain and more dramatic alpine scenery but similar wind regimes. The Tioga Pass road (Highway 120) is the only reliable car access in this zone; it closes seasonally and road conditions dictate trip timing more than weather forecasts do.