Blackie Lake
Lake · 9,586 ft · Yosemite corridor
Blackie Lake sits at 9586 feet in the high Sierra along the Yosemite corridor, a snow-fed alpine lake exposed to sustained wind and afternoon thermal gusts. Access is typically via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east.
Wind dominates here. The lake sits in open terrain with little shelter, so afternoon thermals funnel across the water by mid-day. Mornings are calmer but brief. Winter snowpack is substantial at this elevation, and sun exposure varies sharply between north and south shores. Expect sustained gusts to 34 mph on bad days.
Over the last 30 days, Blackie Lake averaged 10 mph wind and a NoGo Score of 33, with temperatures around 24 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions remain highly variable; the minimum score dipped to 7 while the maximum hit 50, reflecting rapid swings between calm mornings and windy afternoons. The week ahead will follow the same pattern: early-morning windows are your only reliable option for calm water.
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About Blackie Lake
Blackie Lake occupies a cirque basin on the eastern slope of the Sierra crest in California's Yosemite corridor at 9586 feet elevation. The lake drains north into the Tuolumne River watershed. Primary access funnels through Highway 120 from the west (Yosemite Valley gateway) or Highway 395 from the east (Mono Basin side). The approach is typically a backpack trek of moderate distance through high-Sierra meadows and sparse lodgepole. Base popularity is low (0.25), meaning crowds are minimal compared to Yosemite Valley lakes, but the remote trailhead and high elevation keep visitor counts modest year-round.
This lake sits squarely in the transition zone between wet-slab avalanche terrain in winter and dry, exposed alpine plateau in summer. Over a 365-day window, temperatures range from 11 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit, reflecting extreme seasonal swing. The 30-day average temperature of 24 degrees and 10 mph average wind are typical of spring conditions at this elevation. Wind maxes out at 34 mph, driven by thermal circulation funneling through the cirque basin. Afternoon gusts are nearly guaranteed; mornings offer a 1 to 3 hour calm window before thermals kick in. Late September through early October bring the most stable weather; December through March demand avalanche awareness on approach terrain and the snowpack assessment from the Sacramento Avalanche Center.
Blackie Lake suits experienced backpackers, cold-water swimmers, and small-group campers comfortable with exposure and isolation. The low base popularity means solo planners and couples will find solitude, but logistics are strict: no car camping nearby, no facilities at the lake, no cell service. Bring a weather radio and plan around the morning window. Afternoon wind rules out paddlers and swimmers after mid-morning unless conditions are unusual. Parking is tight at the trailhead; arrive before dawn or plan for mid-week trips when demand is lower. The NoGo Score of 33 over 30 days reflects the compromise: mornings are often passable, afternoons are typically poor.
Nearby alternatives in the Yosemite corridor include lower-elevation lakes around Tenaya, Cathedral, and Lyell with slightly more protection and warmer water, or the high-altitude tarns scattered east of the crest if you're comfortable with scrambling. Blackie Lake's defining appeal is its remoteness and the pristine cirque setting, not the weather window. Plan this destination for early-morning day trips from backcountry camp, not as a hub for afternoon activities.