Lost Claim
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Lost Claim is a 3,071-foot campground in the Yosemite corridor's western Sierra Nevada. Sheltered by dense forest, it sits calmer than exposed lake basins to the east.
Wind averages 7 mph but funnels strongest in afternoon hours; mornings are consistently quieter. The forest canopy reduces exposure compared to ridge camps. Expect temperature swings of 30 degrees between morning and midday. Crowding stays light year-round due to remote trailhead access.
Over the past 30 days, Lost Claim averaged a NoGo Score of 16.0 with a 7 mph average wind and 51 degrees Fahrenheit. The max wind peaked at 19 mph; min score dipped to 7.0, signaling windows of calm. The week ahead follows typical spring patterns for the corridor: morning stability, afternoon wind uptick, and weekend pressure from Highway 120 traffic.
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About Lost Claim
Lost Claim sits 3,071 feet on the western flank of the Yosemite corridor, roughly 45 minutes north of Highway 140 via local roads. The campground anchors a quiet drainage system fed by snowmelt in spring and early summer. Access is via narrow forest roads; high-clearance vehicles are preferred after wet spells. The site sits 15 to 20 miles west of Yosemite Valley proper, making it a low-profile alternative to main-corridor camping.
Spring brings reliable runoff and mild afternoons; by late May, afternoon winds pick up as thermal gradients steepen. Summer crowding remains light because the trailhead lacks the draw of valley or lake destinations. The 30-day average temperature of 51 degrees reflects late-April conditions; expect warming through June as elevation-driven lags clear. Fall, typically late September onward, delivers the calmest winds and warmest afternoons. Winter access depends on snow clearance; roads close intermittently.
Lost Claim suits backcountry-staging camps, fishing-access parties, and visitors seeking solitude over amenity density. The forest shelter and low average crowding (12.0 over 30 days) make it ideal for those avoiding weekend valley gridlock. Afternoon wind (peaking around midday to 4 p.m.) dictates timing for exposed activities; paddlers and climbers should launch or depart by late morning. Parking is tight; arrive before 10 a.m. on weekends.
Nearby, Highway 120 access via Hetch Hetchy offers higher-elevation alternatives if Lost Claim is full or snow-blocked. Lower-elevation camps along Highway 140 (Mariposa County side) run 5 to 10 degrees warmer in spring but sit on busier corridors. The Tuolumne River drainage upstream provides day-hike extensions if conditions permit.