Chilkoot Lake
Lake · 7,490 ft · Yosemite corridor
Chilkoot Lake sits at 7,490 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra. This alpine lake typically sees lighter crowds and calmer afternoon conditions than lower-elevation neighbours in the region.
Wind builds steadily from calm morning conditions, peaking in early afternoon before dropping by evening. The exposed alpine setting means gusts can funnel off the open water by mid-day. Expect frost on most mornings through spring and early summer.
The rolling 30-day average wind at Chilkoot Lake stands at 7 mph, with gusts to 18 mph. Morning hours consistently rank easier than afternoon windows; the last 30 days show an average score of 14. Watch the week ahead for wind shifts tied to high-altitude pressure systems.
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About Chilkoot Lake
Chilkoot Lake occupies a high-Sierra basin at 7,490 feet along the Yosemite corridor east of the Sierra Nevada crest. Access is primarily via Highway 120 from the west; the turnoff lies roughly 20 miles east of the Tioga Pass gateway. This alpine setting isolates Chilkoot from the heavier foot traffic that concentrates lower, on Tenaya Lake and Yosemite Valley proper. The lake's base popularity ranks low, meaning trailheads and parking remain uncrowded even on busy weekends.
Spring through early autumn brings the most stable weather windows. The rolling 30-day average temperature holds at 38 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight lows dipping to freezing through June. The 365-day range spans from 24 degrees in winter to 55 degrees at peak summer; the lake's high elevation means snowpack typically blocks easy access before late June. The 30-day rolling average wind of 7 mph masks significant day-to-day swings; the rolling 30-day maximum wind reaches 18 mph, and afternoon gusts funnel consistently off the exposed water. Crowding averages 6 across the rolling 30 days, well below nearby Tenaya Lake.
Chilkoot Lake suits backpackers, fishers, and alpine hikers who tolerate cold mornings and afternoon wind in exchange for solitude. Paddlers and swimmers typically visit in July and August when water temperature climbs above 50 degrees. Plan morning-only visits if you are sensitive to wind; the lake flattens by first light and remains calm through late morning before thermal and orographic lift accelerates flow by noon. Parking fills most reliably on the first weekends after Highway 120 opens in late spring; midweek trips eliminate the bottleneck.
Cathedral Lake and Glen Aulin lie within a day's hike and share the same high-Sierra exposure and cold-water character. Tenaya Lake, 10 to 15 miles south, sits lower and typically runs 5 to 10 degrees warmer, with heavier vehicle traffic. The Tuolumne Meadows corridor to the east offers alternative camps and longer traverses for those seeking a multi-day Sierra loop.