Lost Lake (west)
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Lost Lake (west) is a high-Sierra alpine lake at 8,625 feet in the Yosemite corridor, sheltered from the open lake basin to the east. Wind-protected mornings and light crowding make it a reliable choice when the main lake is exposed.
Mornings are calm; afternoon wind funnels up from the drainage by mid-day. The 30-day average wind is 10 mph, but gusts regularly spike to 24 mph by late afternoon. Water remains cold year-round. Visit before noon for the most stable conditions.
Over the past 30 days, Lost Lake (west) averaged a NoGo Score of 15, with temperatures around 31 degrees Fahrenheit and wind speeds averaging 10 mph. The week ahead will track the seasonal transition; expect improving conditions as the snow-fed inflow wanes and diurnal wind patterns stabilize. Crowding averages 6 on the 30-day rolling window, lower than adjacent Yosemite lakes.
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About Lost Lake (west)
Lost Lake (west) sits in the high-Sierra belt of the Yosemite corridor at 8,625 feet elevation, accessed via Highway 120 from the west or from the Lee Vining side in the east. The lake occupies a cove on the western shore of a larger alpine water body; the 'west' designation distinguishes it from the open eastern basin. Drive time from Yosemite Valley is roughly two hours via Tioga Pass Road; from Lee Vining, Highway 120 passes the turnoff on the descent toward the valley floor. Spring snow and washouts on high-Sierra roads can block access until late May; confirm Highway 120 status before departing.
Lost Lake (west) sits in a wind-shadow pocket that calms significantly earlier in the day than the exposed eastern basin. The 30-day average temperature of 31 degrees Fahrenheit reflects late-spring snowmelt; water temperatures remain in the 40s even after summer arrives. Wind averages 10 mph but peaks at 24 mph in the afternoon as thermal circulation drives air up the drainage. Crowding averages 6 on the rolling 30-day metric, well below Tenaya Lake or the main Yosemite lakes. Early season (May through June) sees lingering snow on north-facing slopes and occasional ice-out delays; midsummer (July through August) brings stable afternoons and calm mornings; late season (September through October) offers the warmest water and most stable wind patterns.
Lost Lake (west) suits paddlers, swimmers, and anglers seeking calm-morning conditions without the midday chop of the open lake. Backcountry users often base camp here as a staging point for higher peaks. Experienced visitors plan launches for before 10 a.m., when the water is glassy; afternoon trips risk whitecaps and unpredictable gusts. Parking is limited; arrive early on weekends, especially the first two weeks after Highway 120 opens. Bring layers; shade on the west shore keeps the water and air noticeably cooler than the sunny eastern basin.
The larger lake basin immediately east is more exposed to afternoon wind but offers a longer fetch for sailing and wind sports. Tenaya Lake, roughly 30 minutes south, sits at a lower elevation (8,150 feet) and warms faster in summer; it attracts more traffic. June Lake Loop, on the eastern side of the Sierra, offers calmer morning paddling but requires driving over a separate pass. Lost Lake (west) is the better choice for those prioritizing a quiet start to the day and seeking fewer crowds than the marquee Yosemite water bodies.