Evergreen Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Evergreen Lake sits at 8,491 feet in the Yosemite corridor, a high-Sierra alpine lake fed by snowmelt and ringed by lodgepole forest. Wind and cold dominate the character here.
Afternoon wind is the ruling feature; expect 11 mph average with gusts to 26 mph by mid-day. Morning calm, particularly before 10 a.m., is reliable. Water temperature stays near freezing through spring. Exposure is full; shelter is minimal on the open water.
The 30-day average wind of 11 mph and temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit mark this as a cold, windy pocket even for the high Sierra. The rolling NoGo Score averages 15, meaning marginal-to-poor conditions dominate. The week ahead should track similar patterns. Plan around morning windows and expect afternoon gusts.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Evergreen Lake
Evergreen Lake lies in the high Sierra at 8,491 feet, approximately 10 miles northeast of Tuolumne Meadows along the Highway 120 corridor. Access is via the eastern approach through Lee Vining and Mono Basin, then west on Highway 120 toward Tioga Pass. The lake drains to the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. Summer and early fall are the primary travel windows; Highway 120 opens seasonally and winter closure extends from late fall through spring. The nearest supply and lodging bases are Lee Vining to the east and Tuolumne Meadows to the southwest.
Evergreen Lake experiences pronounced seasonal swings. Winter and early spring bring sustained cold, with 30-day averages near 29 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum recorded wind to 26 mph. Wind is relentless here; the 30-day rolling average of 11 mph is elevated even for high-Sierra lakes, and afternoon acceleration is nearly guaranteed. Crowding remains light year-round, with a 30-day average of 6 out of 100, reflecting the remote access and harsh conditions. Late spring through early fall sees marginal warming, with water remaining glacially cold and wind patterns consistent. The rolling 365-day temperature range spans 13 to 43 degrees Fahrenheit, a spread typical of exposed alpine terrain above 8,000 feet.
Evergreen Lake suits cold-weather paddlers, mountaineers on traverse routes, and high-Sierra day hikers scouting early-season snow conditions. The light base popularity of 0.25 means solitude is nearly assured. Parking is minimal; arrive early or expect to backtrack. Bring layers rated to 13 degrees Fahrenheit and anticipate that wind will arrive by mid-morning. The lake is not suitable for swimming or casual recreation. Fishing pressure is light. Photography is best during calm dawn hours before wind and cloud move in.
Nearby alternatives include Tioga Lake to the northeast, which sits at slightly lower elevation and offers marginally calmer conditions, and various smaller tarns scattered through the high-Sierra pass terrain. Tuolumne Meadows, 10 miles to the southwest, provides more accessible facilities and modestly warmer microclimates. For Sierra-corridor planning, Evergreen Lake is a specialist destination; general visitors should consider lower-elevation options in the Yosemite Valley or Mammoth region unless wind and isolation are the draw.