Jackass Lakes Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Jackass Lakes Trailhead sits at 7,093 feet in the Yosemite corridor, accessing alpine lakes in the high Sierra. Low base popularity and early-season accessibility make it a quieter alternative to valley-floor routes.
Morning calm dominates; wind builds by midday and peaks in early afternoon. The 30-day average wind is 8 mph, but afternoon gusts reach 19 mph. Cold persists; 36-degree average means snow lingers into late spring. Head here early or skip when afternoon wind drives conditions sour.
Over the last 30 days, Jackass Lakes averaged a NoGo Score of 17.0 with temperatures holding at 36 degrees and winds averaging 8 mph. The week ahead will show whether warming breaks the snowpack grip and whether afternoon wind trends hold steady. Use the chart below to spot calm windows; mornings are your best bet.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Jackass Lakes Trailhead
Jackass Lakes Trailhead is a foot-access point to a cluster of alpine lakes in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. The trailhead sits at 7,093 feet on the eastern flank of the range, well northeast of Yosemite Valley proper. Access is via Highway 120 from Lee Vining on the east side or from Crane Flat on the west; the eastern approach is shorter in spring when Highway 120 opens after winter closure. The location draws minimal crowds relative to valley trailheads; base popularity sits at 0.4, meaning most weekends see only handfuls of visitors. Parking is limited and fills only during peak summer weekends. The nearest lodging and resupply is Lee Vining, roughly 45 minutes away.
Winter and early spring dominate this location's character. The 365-day temperature record spans 21 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit, with the 30-day average sitting at 36 degrees and minimum temps in the 30s through May. Snow accumulation typically exceeds 150 inches annually at this elevation; trails remain impassable until June in most years. The 30-day rolling average wind is 8 mph, but afternoon gusts exceed 19 mph on exposed sections above the trailhead. Crowding averages 13 visitors across a full day in the 30-day window, a fraction of nearby Tenaya Lake or Glen Aulin routes. Late September through October offers the most stable weather window; afternoons are still windy, but cold snaps are rare and snow is gone. Summer (July and August) brings warmth and brief afternoon thunderstorms; wind remains consistent at 8 mph average but feels less biting.
Jackass Lakes suits hikers seeking solitude above 7,000 feet and willing to start before dawn to avoid afternoon wind. The trail is best for experienced high-country travelers comfortable with navigation on rocky terrain and rapid weather shifts. Parties planning a day hike should depart by 6 a.m. to clear exposed sections before wind builds; afternoon descents on windy ridges are unpopular and slow. Snow-slogging is the norm March through May; microspikes or crampons are essential. The route rewards early starters with calm conditions and better light for photography. Experienced backpackers use it as a less-crowded gateway to the Sierra's lake chains; permit availability is high compared to valley routes.
For visitors priced out by Yosemite Valley crowds, Jackass Lakes Trailhead offers comparable alpine scenery with a quarter of the traffic. Glen Aulin is the nearest alternative to the south, offering similar elevation and wind patterns but higher crowding (base popularity 0.6). Tenaya Lake, further west at lower elevation, runs warmer and calmer but fills parking lots by 9 a.m. in summer. The trade-off at Jackass Lakes is access timing: Highway 120 can close due to snow through May in heavier years, and the trailhead itself is snow-covered until late spring. Plan flexibility into the trip; confirm Highway 120 opening status before driving east from Crane Flat.