Cora Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Cora Lake sits at 9,380 feet in the high Sierra, a modest alpine lake in Yosemite's eastern corridor. Wind-exposed and cold, it suits early-season hikers and climbers passing through on the way to higher granite.
Wind dominates Cora Lake. The 30-day average runs 13 mph, with gusts reaching 39 mph by mid-afternoon. Morning glass water turns rough by 2 p.m. Temperature averages 25 degrees Fahrenheit across the rolling month, so plan for snow or slush underfoot through spring. Crowding is light; few detour here.
Over the past month, Cora Lake has averaged a NoGo Score of 16.0, with wind peaking at 39 mph and temperatures holding near 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will track similar patterns: expect stable mornings turning blustery by afternoon, with cold persisting. This is high-Sierra spring weather, not yet settled.
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About Cora Lake
Cora Lake is a small alpine pool at 9,380 feet on the eastern margin of Yosemite's high country. Access is via Highway 120 from the west (Lee Vining side) or from the Tioga Pass corridor; the lake sits roughly 10 miles southeast of Tenaya Lake and feeds into the Mono Basin drainage. Most visitors reach it as part of a longer Sierra traverse rather than as a destination unto itself. The lake is snow-bound until late spring and sits in a low-popularity zone, meaning you will see few other people even on weekends.
Cora Lake's weather is shaped by its elevation and exposure. The 30-day rolling temperature average of 25 degrees Fahrenheit reflects persistent winter conditions; the 365-day range spans 9 to 37 degrees, showing how brutal the coldest months are and how brief the warm window. Wind is the dominant feature: the 30-day average of 13 mph understates the afternoon problem, as gusts top 39 mph regularly. Mornings are calm; afternoons are not. Crowding runs at an average of 6 out of 100, so you can safely assume solitude. Snowpack typically holds until late spring; early-season visitors should expect snow at the shoreline and potentially on approaches.
Cora Lake suits climbers and high-Sierra hikers who are comfortable with exposed terrain and cold nights. The lake is too small and remote for paddlers on a weekend trip; day hikers and mountaineers en route to higher peaks (like Mono Pass or the Sierra crest) are the typical visitor. Plan around morning access; arrive before 10 a.m. if you want to avoid the afternoon wind. Bring a stove for melting snow and wind-resistant shelter. The low crowding means no parking drama, but the exposure means weather preparation is not optional.
Nearby alternatives include Tenaya Lake to the northwest, which is larger and sits slightly lower, offering more moderate conditions in summer. Mono Lake lies east across Highway 395 and offers desert heat and alkaline water, a stark contrast. The Tioga Pass corridor via Highway 120 is the main artery; Cora Lake is a secondary waypoint rather than a hub. If you are already in Yosemite's high country headed toward the crest, Cora Lake is a natural camp or rest stop. If you are specifically seeking a protected alpine lake with calm afternoons, look elsewhere; this site demands morning discipline and cold-weather readiness.