Chemung Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Chemung Lake sits at 8,110 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, a high alpine basin exposed to afternoon wind funnels off the eastern slopes.
Wind dominates here. The 30-day average wind of 13 mph masks afternoon gusts to 40 mph that build off the lake by mid-day. Early mornings are calmer and warmer than you'd expect at this elevation. Afternoon wind shuts down paddling and exposes exposed shorelines to sustained chop.
The last 30 days averaged 13 mph wind and a NoGo score of 13, with a max gust to 40 mph. Temperatures have ranged from 20 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit across the full year, and crowding has stayed low at an average of 6. The week ahead will follow the typical pattern: calm mornings, building afternoon wind, and sparse visitor traffic.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Chemung Lake
Chemung Lake is a shallow alpine basin in the high Sierra east of Yosemite Valley, accessible via Highway 120 eastbound from the Valley. The lake drains into the Mono Basin and sits on the rain-shadow side of the crest. The primary trailhead approach is via the Lyell Canyon and Parker Pass Creek drainage, a moderate multi-day backpack from the Tuolumne Meadows area. Access is seasonal; Highway 120 typically opens in late spring and closes again in early fall. The lake is low-traffic compared to Tenaya Lake or the popular Tuolumne Meadows circuit, making it a quieter option for experienced backcountry users.
Chemung Lake's weather is alpine and variable. The 30-day average temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind of 13 mph reflect the lake's exposure to Pacific storm systems and the föhn effect pushing air down the eastern slopes. Wind speeds peak in afternoon hours and can gust to 40 mph without warning. Snow lingers into early summer at this elevation; the 365-day minimum temperature of 20 degrees marks winter conditions, while the 365-day maximum of 56 degrees signals brief summer peaks. Crowding remains minimal year-round, with a 30-day average of just 6 visitors, so solitude is the rule rather than exception.
Chemung Lake suits backpackers and high-alpine campers comfortable with exposure and self-sufficiency. The low crowding (30-day average of 6) means no permit shortages or camping contention, but also sparse ranger presence and minimal maintained infrastructure. Paddlers should plan for calm mornings only; the afternoon wind regime makes launches after mid-morning risky. Water temperature stays cold year-round, requiring proper insulation and respect for hypothermia risk. Experienced visitors time hikes to the lake in the brief window after snow clears but before afternoon winds intensify, typically planning early starts and descents by mid-afternoon.
Nearby alternatives include Tenaya Lake (lower elevation, more developed access, moderate crowding) and the Tuolumne Meadows circuit (higher visitation, more trail infrastructure). Parker Pass Creek and Lyell Canyon offer similar alpine exposure with less wind channeling. For those seeking the Yosemite high country without Highway 120 crowds, Chemung Lake delivers isolation and raw alpine character at the cost of exposure and seasonal access constraints.