Edson Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Edson Lake sits at 8,209 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a modest alpine cirque with predictable wind rise in afternoon hours. Colder and breezier than valley alternatives, it rewards early starts.
Wind funnels off the lake by mid-afternoon, driven by thermal heating. Morning calm lasts until late morning, then steadily builds through early afternoon. The 30-day average wind of 10 mph masks afternoon gusts to 30 mph. Cold water and high elevation mean hypothermia is a real concern if you're swimming or paddling.
Over the last 30 days, Edson Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 15, with wind ranging 10 mph mean to 30 mph peak and temperatures averaging 27 degrees. The week ahead will show whether early-season conditions hold or thermal convection intensifies. Plan mornings here; skip the afternoon if wind or cold is a limiting factor.
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About Edson Lake
Edson Lake occupies a glacially-scoured basin in the high Sierra, northeast of Tenaya Lake and east of Yosemite's central corridor. Access is via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road) to Tenaya Lake trailhead, or from the northern Yosemite entrance via Tuolumne Meadows. The lake sits in the Yosemite National Park boundary; permits and parking regulations apply. Elevation and exposure mean the lake remains partially or fully frozen through late spring, then accessible for brief windows before early autumn snow. The cirque topography funnels wind predictably, making conditions easy to forecast but often unpleasant in the afternoon.
The 30-day average temperature of 27 degrees reflects high-elevation winter-to-spring transition; annual minimums approach 14 degrees and summer highs top 42 degrees. Crowding averages 6 out of 10 over the rolling month, light compared to Tenaya Lake or Tuolumite Meadows. Wind is the dominant constraint: 30-day mean of 10 mph accelerates to peak gusts of 30 mph by mid-afternoon. Morning visits before 11 AM see flat water and manageable conditions. Late afternoon and evening are consistently poor. Snowpack lingering into late spring closes or obstructs approach trails; check current conditions with the Yosemite ranger station before driving Highway 120.
Edson Lake suits backpackers, anglers, and photography-focused visitors who plan around the morning window. Cold water discourages casual swimming; wetsuits are practical for any water contact. Crowds are minimal, so solitude is nearly guaranteed. Experienced Sierra hikers treat this as a day-use or early-camp objective paired with Tenaya Lake or Tuolumite Meadows. Parking at Tenaya Lake trailhead fills quickly on weekends; arrive before 8 AM or plan a weekday visit. Wind-sensitive activities like kayaking or stand-up paddling are viable only before 11 AM; afternoon wind makes launches dangerous.
Nearby Tenaya Lake offers marginally warmer water, easier access, and higher crowding. Tuolumite Meadows provides a lower-elevation alternative (8,600 feet) with slightly milder conditions and more protected campsites. Visitors unwilling to commit to the early-morning constraint or high-elevation cold should anchor trips at Tenaya instead. Edson Lake's reward is its quiet; the limitation is the afternoon wind and sustained cold that make lingering uncomfortable.