Lower Young Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Lower Young Lake sits at 9,895 feet in Yosemite's high Sierra, a glacial basin lake accessible via the Tioga Pass corridor. Wind and cold dominate; plan mornings only.
Lower Young Lake catches wind funneling down from the peaks above by mid-afternoon. Morning calm ends abruptly. The 30-day average wind is 10 mph, but gusts reach 30 mph regularly. Water temperature stays near freezing year-round. Expect afternoon exposure on any day you linger past noon.
Over the last 30 days, Lower Young Lake averaged 10 mph wind with a high of 30 mph and a typical noGo score of 16. The 365-day range shows this lake swings from 10 degrees in winter to 38 degrees in summer, always windy. Plan your trip around morning windows; the week ahead will follow this pattern of calm dawn and afternoon gales.
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About Lower Young Lake
Lower Young Lake occupies a granite cirque at 9,895 feet in the Sierra Nevada's Cathedral Range, roughly 8 miles northeast of Tioga Pass on the Yosemite corridor. Access is via Highway 120 from the east (Mono County side) or from Yosemite Valley via Tioga Road. The lake sits in the backcountry and requires a backpacking approach; most parties hike in via the Young Lakes Trail, a high-alpine route with sustained elevation. The trailhead is on the Tioga Pass Road east side. Summer access is dependent on Highway 120 opening, typically late May. Winter closes this entire corridor; the lake is snow-covered and inaccessible to casual visitors.
The lake's character is defined by exposure and altitude. At nearly 10,000 feet, it sits above the treeline in open terrain with minimal shelter. The 30-day average temperature is 26 degrees Fahrenheit, reflecting the persistent cold of high elevation. Wind is the dominant force; the 30-day average of 10 mph masks the afternoon acceleration to 30 mph on most days. Crowds are minimal; the base popularity of 0.25 and rolling 30-day crowding average of 6 reflect the remote approach and high barrier to entry. Late September brings the most stable weather window. June and early July are exposed to afternoon thunderstorms despite the short window before snow returns.
Lower Young Lake suits experienced alpine hikers and mountaineers comfortable with thin air, cold water, and wind. Fishing is possible but marginal; the lake is small and high. Camping is backcountry-only with no facilities. Parties come for the isolation, the high-country cirque setting, and the access to upper peaks. Plan a multi-day trip to justify the approach. Bring wind-rated shelter and expect afternoon winds to close off lake camping after 2 PM. Water sources are abundant but cold; the lake itself is snow-fed and never warms. Solitude is nearly guaranteed except the first weekends after Highway 120 opens.
The Young Lakes cluster offers a cascade of similar alpine basins at slightly lower elevations to the north and west, with marginally more shelter and warmer water. Upper Young Lake, accessible from the same trailhead, sits at roughly 150 feet lower and catches less afternoon wind. The Cathedral Lakes to the west and the Tenaya Lake corridor to the south offer similar high-Sierra lake access with fractionally better protection. Lower Young Lake is the coldest, most exposed, and most rewarding for those seeking genuine alpine solitude in the Yosemite backcountry.