Kidney Lake
Lake · 10,396 ft · Yosemite corridor
Kidney Lake sits at 10,396 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a glacially-scoured alpine basin exposed to substantial afternoon wind. Expect raw conditions and sparse crowds.
Wind dominates here. Mornings are typically calm; by midday, gusts funnel down the drainage and strengthen through afternoon. At 10,396 feet, temperature swings are sharp. Cold persists even in summer. Plan for alpine exposure.
Over the past 30 days, Kidney Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 33 with wind hitting 39 mph; the 30-day average wind was 15 mph and mean temperature held at 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions this week track typical spring volatility. Watch for wind spikes in the afternoon window and lingering snowpack on approach routes.
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About Kidney Lake
Kidney Lake occupies a high-alpine bowl in the central Sierra Nevada, roughly 6 miles east of Tenaya Lake along the Highway 120 corridor. The lake sits at 10,396 feet on the eastern flank of the Cathedral Range, accessible via a moderate off-trail scramble from Tenaya Lake or from the Tioga Road pullouts. Approach from the west (Yosemite Valley side) via Highway 120 eastbound; from the east, Highway 395 feeds into Highway 120 west. Summer access window opens late May through September as snowpack retreats. Winter and spring routes cross avalanche terrain; assess snowpack and run-out slopes with SAC advisories before committing.
Kidney Lake's weather regime is dominated by wind and cold. The 30-day rolling average temperature is 25 degrees Fahrenheit with extremes from 9 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit across the full year. Average wind runs 15 mph; gusts regularly exceed 30 mph in afternoon hours. Morning hours before 11 a.m. are materially calmer and warmer relative to afternoon. Crowding stays low year-round, averaging 6 out of 100 on a 7-day rolling basis. Spring (April through May) brings heaviest wind; late September through early October offers the most stable conditions, though temperatures drop below freezing nightly. Snowpack lingers through June in most years.
Kidney Lake suits experienced alpine hikers and climbers seeking solitude at high elevation. Fishing is marginal; the lake is cold and fish populations are sparse. Most visitors approach as a day outing from Tenaya Lake or as a waypoint on longer Cathedral Range traverses. Pack insulation for sudden cold and wind; afternoon wind makes sustained small-boat paddling inadvisable. Weather can shift rapidly. Arrive before 10 a.m. if you're sensitive to wind. Parking at Tenaya Lake or Highway 120 pullouts is limited; come on weekdays or plan an early start. Do not underestimate approach distance or alpine exposure.
Tenaya Lake, 6 miles west, offers more protected water, easier access, and higher crowd tolerance; it serves as a logical pair if Kidney Lake's wind is prohibitive. Cathedral Lakes and Cathedral Peak lie on adjacent ridges to the north and are accessible from similar access points. Yosemite Valley sits 40 miles west via Highway 120; compare Kidney Lake's sparse, windswept character to the crowded lowland lakes and meadows. For stable, wind-sheltered alpine water in the Yosemite corridor, Tenaya Lake is the standard alternative.