Hoggem Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Hoggem Lake sits at 8012 feet in the Yosemite corridor, a high-Sierra alpine lake typically calmer in early morning but exposed to afternoon wind funneling off the peaks.
Morning glass transitions to afternoon chop by mid-day. Wind averages 8 mph over the last 30 days but gusts to 25 mph. Cold water and exposure mean conditions shift fast. Head here on calm mornings; skip the afternoon if you are not anchored.
The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks the afternoon pattern: gusts climb to 25 mph reliably by mid-afternoon. Temperature averages 30 degrees. The week ahead shows typical alpine volatility. Plan around the morning window and expect crowding to tick up as Highway 120 approaches summer opening.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Hoggem Lake
Hoggem Lake sits in the high Sierra backcountry of the Yosemite corridor at 8012 feet elevation. Access is via backpacking or trail entry from the Tioga Pass corridor or from trailheads along Highway 120 on the west side of the Sierra crest. The lake is a moderate multi-day destination, not a roadside pullout. Base popularity sits at 0.25, meaning foot traffic remains sparse except during peak season. Nearby gateway towns include Lee Vining to the east and Tuolumne Meadows to the west.
Alpine conditions dominate here. The 30-day average temperature is 30 degrees; the annual range spans 17 to 45 degrees, so expect snow and ice through spring and warm afternoons only in late summer. Wind averages 8 mph but regularly peaks at 25 mph in afternoon hours as thermal circulation and ridge flows accelerate. The 30-day average NoGo Score is 15.0, meaning conditions are marginal for exposed activities more often than not. Crowd levels average 6.0 on the rolling 30-day window, low by Sierra standards. Early season (before July) brings fewer visitors but colder water and lingering snow. Late September offers the most stable weather windows.
This lake suits backpackers, climbers, and anglers comfortable with cold water and self-sufficiency. Day trippers are rare given the approach mileage and elevation. Parties should plan for afternoon wind and carry layers; the wind can render exposed activities unpleasant or impossible by mid-day. Snowpack dictates true season: early-season trips require creek crossings and snow travel; late-summer trips are logistically simpler but more crowded. Parking at trailheads fills on weekends during July and August. Water is cold year-round; hypothermia risk is real for anyone without a wetsuit or immersion suit.
Hoggem Lake pairs well with nearby Yosemite backcountry objectives. The Tioga Pass corridor offers shorter, lower-elevation alternatives if wind or cold force a retreat. Contrast this lake's alpine exposure with sheltered Tenaya Lake (Highway 120 corridor), which sits lower and catches less afternoon wind. High-Sierra alpine lakes across the Yosemite region share similar wind and weather patterns; Hoggem is neither exceptionally windy nor exceptionally calm relative to peers at this elevation.