Evelyn Lake
Lake · 10,337 ft · Yosemite corridor
Evelyn Lake sits at 10,337 feet in the Yosemite Sierra corridor, a high-alpine cove fed by snowmelt and ringed by steep granite. Calmer than the exposed basins to the east, it draws fewer crowds than Tenaya or May Lakes.
Wind accelerates off the water by mid-afternoon, funnelling down the drainage. Mornings are glassy; expect 13 mph average gusts by late day. Cold persists at elevation even through late spring. Snow lingers on approach and sheltered slopes well into the season.
The 30-day average wind of 13 mph and temperature of 21 degrees Fahrenheit anchor Evelyn Lake in true high-Sierra spring. Conditions swing between 6-degree lows and 50-degree NoGo peaks depending on wind timing and snowpack stability. Watch the next seven days for afternoon wind acceleration and any spike in crowding as Highway 120 access improves.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Evelyn Lake
Evelyn Lake lies in the cathedral basin of the Yosemite high country, northeast of Tenaya Lake and accessible from the Tioga Road corridor via Highway 120. The primary approach starts from the Cathedral Lakes trailhead parking; Highway 120 is the sole access route through Tioga Pass and closes seasonally. Drive time from Yosemite Valley is roughly 90 minutes via Highway 41 and Highway 120. Elevation gain and snowpack variability govern the opening window; the lake sits above 10,000 feet with sustained north-facing slopes that hold snow through late spring and early summer.
Spring conditions at Evelyn Lake are volatile. The 30-day average temperature of 21 degrees Fahrenheit masks wild swings between overnight lows near 8 degrees and occasional warm afternoons reaching into the mid-30s. Wind dominates the forecast; the 30-day average of 13 mph understates afternoon gusts that peak around 37 mph on exposed water. Snowpack instability is a real hazard on steep approach and ascent terrain; consult the Sierra Avalanche Center before travel, especially after recent precipitation or rapid warming. Crowding sits at low baseline (6.0 average), but jumps sharply in the first full week after Highway 120 opens and during consecutive warm weekends.
Evelyn Lake suits alpine lake paddlers, mountaineers, and snow-travel photographers willing to accept avalanche exposure and cold-water risk. Experienced visitors plan trips for Tuesday through Thursday mornings when wind is lightest and crowds are sparse. Afternoon paddling is punishing; wind funnels across open water, chop builds fast, and rescue is remote. Park capacity at the Cathedral Lakes trailhead is modest; arrival by mid-morning is critical on weekends. Bring avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel if the approach holds snow. The water temperature rarely climbs above 35 degrees; immersion time is measured in minutes.
Tenaya Lake, 2 to 3 miles south, is larger and more sheltered from direct afternoon wind, but busier and less scenic. May Lake to the northwest sits lower (9,301 feet) and warms faster but has steeper snowpack exposure. Cathedral Lakes (Eleanor and Barbara) lie adjacent to the Evelyn approach and offer similar alpine character with slightly more protected basins. Visitors comfortable with sustained wind and cold should prioritize early-morning visits and abandon afternoon plans; the return trip in evening gusts is exhausting.