Fantail Lake
Lake · 9,904 ft · Yosemite corridor
Fantail Lake is a high-Sierra alpine lake at 9904 feet in the Yosemite corridor, ringed by granite and accessible via the Cathedral Lakes Trail. Wind-exposed and snow-choked until mid-season, it demands careful timing.
Afternoon wind is the defining constraint. Morning calm yields to steady gusts by mid-day as thermal currents rise off the surrounding slopes. The 30-day average wind of 10 mph masks swings to 30 mph by afternoon. Water temperature reflects high elevation; expect ice-out to govern access, not air warmth.
Over the last month, Fantail Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 35.0 with wind pushing to 30 mph and temperatures holding around 26 degrees Fahrenheit. The 30-day low score of 6.0 reflects brief calm windows, typically early mornings after stable pressure systems. The week ahead will follow the same pattern: head here before mid-morning, expect wind rise by afternoon, and verify avalanche conditions on the approach.
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About Fantail Lake
Fantail Lake sits at the apex of the Cathedral Lakes drainage, roughly 8 miles northeast of Tenaya Lake on Highway 120. The Cathedral Lakes Trail (the primary approach from Tuolumne Meadows) climbs through mixed conifer and meadow before breaking into alpine granite country. Access depends on Highway 120 snow clearance; the corridor opens in late May or early June in most years. From Tenaya Lake trailhead, the walk-in is steep and sustained; plan for 5 to 7 hours of ascent. Winter approach requires avalanche assessment on the lower Cathedral Lakes slope and route-finding through snowfield. Base popularity is low (0.25), meaning few day-hikers venture this far.
Winter and early spring dominate the calendar here. The 30-day average temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum recorded wind of 30 mph reflect late-season snowpack and thermal instability. Snowmelt accelerates in June and July; by late September, the lake typically refreezes at night but remains walkable during daylight. The 365-day range (low of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, high of 38 degrees Fahrenheit) captures the full arc from deep winter to brief summer. Crowding stays light (30-day average of 6.0) because the trailhead is obscure and the approach long. Plan for solitude except during peak backpacking weekends in July and August.
Fantail Lake is best for confident day-hikers and backpackers comfortable with avalanche terrain and high-alpine exposure. Cold water discourages swimming; the appeal is fishing, photography, and backcountry camping. Afternoon wind makes the lake choppy by 2 p.m.; kayakers and anglers should plan to launch by 10 a.m. and clear the water by early afternoon. Parking at the Tuolumne Meadows trailhead fills quickly on summer weekends; arrive before 7 a.m. or expect to queue. Winter and spring visitors must verify both snowpack stability (consult the Shasta Avalanche Center) and Highway 120 gate status before committing.
Cathedral Lakes (the twin lakes immediately below Fantail) offer a shorter alternative with milder conditions and more reliable weather windows. Tenaya Lake, on Highway 120 itself, provides day-use access to water without the committed hike but sits in a busier corridor. Hikers seeking comparable high-alpine fishing and solitude in the Yosemite region should consider Mono Pass or the approach to Gull Lake via Lee Vining Canyon (Highway 395), which opens earlier and avoids the Tioga Road closure.