Blackbird Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Blackbird Lake sits at 9,052 feet in the Yosemite corridor of the Sierra Nevada, a high-elevation alpine lake exposed to afternoon wind funneling off the granite slopes above.
Mornings are calm and clear; wind typically picks up by midday and peaks in early afternoon. The 30-day average wind of 11 mph climbs to 35 mph on windy days. Water temperature at this elevation stays cold year-round. Expect wind to accelerate as the day progresses.
Over the last month, Blackbird Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 17 with temperatures around 26 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 11 mph. The week ahead shows typical spring patterns; morning windows are narrower as daylight increases. Monitor afternoon wind spikes, which regularly exceed 30 mph this time of year.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Blackbird Lake
Blackbird Lake is a glacially-scoured alpine basin at 9,052 feet in the high Sierra, nestled within the Yosemite corridor east of the Sierra crest. The lake sits in a steep-sided cirque with limited shelter from wind-driven weather systems that funnel south along the ridge line. Primary access is via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east; the lake sits roughly 30 miles from either gateway. Winter and early spring snowpack can block or severely limit approach routes; summer access is typically reliable from mid-June onward. The basin drains into the Tuolumne River system.
Blackbird Lake experiences strong seasonal swings tied to Sierra elevation and aspect. Summer brings calmer conditions and peak crowding; early spring and fall offer fewer visitors but colder water and unpredictable wind. Winter snow closes most approach routes. The 30-day rolling average temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit reflects current spring conditions; year-round maximums reach 39 degrees in late summer, while minimums dip to 13 degrees in deep winter. Wind is the dominant control: the 30-day average of 11 mph masks frequent afternoon gusts to 35 mph, typical of high-elevation lakes exposed to upper-atmosphere flow. Crowding at this elevation is light to moderate year-round.
Blackbird Lake suits backcountry mountaineers, alpine campers, and experienced hikers seeking solitude above timberline. The exposed cirque and thin air demand acclimatization and self-sufficiency; this is not a destination for casual day-trippers unprepared for rapid weather shifts. Visitors should plan for morning-only window attempts, arrive early, and expect wind to close conditions by early afternoon. Water is melt-fed and exceptionally cold; immersion hypothermia risk is high. Camping is possible but requires high-altitude experience and proper equipment rated for sub-freezing overnight temperatures. Smoke from lower-Sierra fires can reach this elevation in late summer.
Blackbird Lake's proximity to the Tuolumne River drainage and nearby 10,000-foot peaks makes it a logical waypoint on extended Sierra traverses. Day-hikers typically pair it with neighboring high alpine lakes within the same cirque system or combine it with ascents of the surrounding peaks. The lake's isolation and cold temperatures mean it fills later in the season than lower Yosemite lakes; plan for late June or July for reliable snowmelt access. Spring and fall bring clearer skies but even colder water and more variable afternoon winds.