Pond Lily Lake
Lake · 6,335 ft · Yosemite corridor
Pond Lily Lake sits at 6,335 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a small alpine lake accessible from Highway 120. Sheltered from afternoon wind by surrounding ridges, it runs calmer than the open lakes further east.
Morning water and air are still by 9 a.m.; wind picks up from the west by mid-afternoon, typically reaching 8 mph on average but gusting to 23 mph on exposed slopes. Head here before noon if you're paddling or fishing. Afternoons are windier and noisier with the Highway 120 corridor.
Over the last 30 days, Pond Lily Lake has averaged 14 on the NoGo Score with temperatures near 32 degrees F and average wind of 8 mph. The week ahead mirrors this pattern: expect persistent morning calm and afternoon west wind. Crowding averages 6 out of 10, rising sharply the first weekend after Highway 120 fully opens.
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About Pond Lily Lake
Pond Lily Lake is a small alpine lake at 6,335 feet elevation in the high Sierra, accessed via Highway 120 through Tioga Pass into the Yosemite corridor. The main approach comes from the west off Highway 120, with parking and trailhead infrastructure near the Tioga Pass entrance station. The lake drains into Tenaya Creek system and sits in a glacially-carved basin ringed by sparse whitebark and red fir. Access is straightforward in snow-free months; Highway 120 closes seasonally, making this a late spring through early autumn destination. Winter and early spring access is weather-dependent and requires checking CalTrans highway status.
Conditions at Pond Lily Lake reflect high-elevation alpine exposure tempered by local topography. The 30-day average temperature of 32 degrees F reflects late spring conditions; expect frost at night through May and lingering snow patches on north-facing slopes until late June. Wind averages 8 mph over 30 days but swings from near-calm mornings to 23 mph afternoon gusts. The lake's aspect and surrounding ridges funnel westerly afternoon wind but provide shelter until 10 a.m. Crowding averages 6 out of 10, heaviest the first clear weekends after Highway 120 opens and lightest on weekday mornings in early summer. Afternoon thunderstorm potential rises sharply from late July onward.
Pond Lily Lake suits anglers, kayakers, and day hikers seeking alpine scenery without heavy machinery or extended backcountry exposure. The shallow water warms slowly; early-season visits (late May to mid-June) mean cold water and short days, but fewer crowds and morning stillness ideal for fly fishing. Mid-summer brings peak fishing success but also afternoon wind and weekend crowds. Pack for rapid temperature swings: 32-degree mornings lead to 49-degree afternoons by mid-summer. Morning light is best for photography; by 2 p.m., westerly wind kicks in and clouds build over the crest. Parking fills quickly on weekends; arrive before 8 a.m. or come Tuesday through Thursday.
Nearby Tenaya Lake, larger and more exposed, runs windier and holds bigger crowds; it is the popular overflow destination when Pond Lily fills. Visitors pairing Pond Lily with the Tioga Pass corridor often stop at Mono Lake viewpoints on the Highway 395 approach or climb to higher cirque lakes via foot trails from the same trailhead. The drive from Lee Vining via Highway 395 and 120 is 90 minutes; from Yosemite Valley, allow 2.5 to 3 hours. Snowpack status at Tioga Pass peaks in April and typically clears by late June, determining safe hiking window.