Lake Anna
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Lake Anna sits at 11493 feet in the high Sierra Nevada along the Yosemite corridor. A glacially-fed alpine lake, it offers exposure to afternoon wind but remains calmer than lower-elevation reservoirs on the east side of the range.
Wind funnels off the lake by mid-afternoon, with gusts common after noon. Morning hours are markedly calmer. The 30-day average wind of 13 mph masks afternoon peaks that reach 40 mph. Water temperature and air temperature both run well below freezing in winter and spring. Plan morning activity only.
Over the past 30 days, Lake Anna averaged 17 NoGo Score with temperatures near 18 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind of 13 mph. The week ahead shows typical high-elevation volatility: expect wind spikes in afternoon windows and variable crowding tied to Highway 120 access. Morning conditions remain the reliable window.
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About Lake Anna
Lake Anna sits in the Yosemite corridor at 11493 feet, north of the main park and east of Highway 120. Access is via the 120 corridor or High Sierra Camps loop; most trips originate from Lee Vining or Tioga Pass. The lake itself sits in glacially-carved granite country with minimal shelter. High winds are structural, not seasonal anomalies. The 30-day average wind of 13 mph understates afternoon severity; plan to be off the water by midday.
Conditions at Lake Anna track elevation and seasonal snowpack closely. Winter and early spring bring subzero mornings and frozen shoreline; maximum historical temperature sits at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. By late summer, afternoons warm into the 40s and 50s, but wind persists. The 30-day average crowding of 6 indicates light use year-round; visitor volume spikes only when Highway 120 opens fully after spring plowing. The lake's 11493-foot elevation places it above most summer storm systems but fully exposed to jet-stream wind.
Lake Anna suits hikers and backpackers doing Yosemite corridor traverses rather than daytrippers. Most visits pair the lake with adjacent high passes and ridgeline camps. Experienced Sierra users choose Lake Anna for solitude and understand the wind and cold trade. Parking is minimal and often snow-choked in spring. Bring layered insulation; afternoon wind will strip heat rapidly. Skip midday paddling or swimming; water temperature remains near freezing through summer.
Nearby Tenaya Lake and Cathedral Lakes offer similar exposure but slightly lower elevation. If afternoon wind is a hard constraint, consider lower-elevation lakes in the Tuolumne Meadows complex or east-side reservoirs near Lee Vining, which sit in rain shadow but have longer access windows. Lake Anna remains best for backpackers comfortable with high-altitude cold and wind as inherent conditions, not weather interruptions.