Chain of Lakes
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Chain of Lakes sits at 8593 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a cluster of alpine pools fed by snowmelt. Calmer than the open waters east of the crest, it draws backpackers and day hikers seeking solitude above the Valley crowds.
Wind funnels down from the peaks by mid-afternoon, pushing conditions from calm morning glass to choppy by 2 pm. The 30-day average wind runs 13 mph, but gusts regularly exceed 39 mph when systems move through. Head here on calm mornings; skip the afternoon if you're paddling or doing exposed work.
Over the last 30 days, Chain of Lakes averaged a NoGo Score of 16, with temperatures holding near 25 degrees and wind running 13 mph on average. The week ahead will track seasonal patterns for late April: expect morning calm windows to shrink as temperatures rise and wind pressure builds. The 30-day low score was 6 and the high climbed to 34, so variability is the norm at this elevation.
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About Chain of Lakes
Chain of Lakes is a string of alpine pools in the Yosemite corridor, reached via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road) or Highway 140 (Yosemite Valley approach). The cluster sits in the high Sierra drainage between Tuolumne Meadows and the crest; most access trailheads lie within 30 to 45 minutes of Tenaya Lake or Lee Vining. Early-season approach requires snow travel or late-spring timing when snowpack consolidates. Parking fills quickly on weekends after Highway 120 opens; arrive before 7 am to secure roadside space.
Spring conditions at 8593 feet turn volatile. The 30-day average temperature is 25 degrees, with swings from single digits to the high 30s as storms roll through and high-pressure settles. Wind averages 13 mph but regularly peaks at 39 mph; afternoon gusts funnel off the peaks and down the drainages by 1 to 2 pm. Crowding remains light (6.0 on the rolling 30-day average), but weekends see clusters of hikers as soon as snow permits easy trail travel. Snowpack typically lingers into late May; call the local ranger station to confirm conditions before committing a trip.
Chain of Lakes suits backpackers doing multi-day loops, alpine anglers targeting brook and cutthroat trout, and photographers seeking high-Sierra light without Valley-scale crowds. Experienced hikers and paddlers plan around wind; morning paddles are calm and protected, while afternoon sessions face strong gusts and chop. The low base popularity (0.25) means solitude is nearly guaranteed, but isolation also means self-reliance is non-negotiable. Carry extra water, a map, and a contingency shelter; weather can deteriorate fast at this elevation.
Nearby alternatives include Cathedral Lakes (lower elevation, more protected shoreline) and Tenaya Lake (larger, windier, but more predictable access). The Yosemite corridor offers a wide spread of elevations; drop to Tuolumne Meadows for slightly milder spring conditions, or climb to the alpine crest for true exposure. Late September through early October offers the most stable window, with temperatures in the high 20s, wind averaging near 13 mph, and minimal snowpack to negotiate.