Poopenaut Valley Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Poopenaut Valley Trailhead sits at 4,669 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra. A lesser-known gateway to remote valley and lake access, it offers calmer conditions than Highway 120 destinations.
Wind averages 6 mph but gusts to 18 mph in afternoon hours as thermal flow accelerates downvalley. Morning calm persists until mid-day; skip afternoon departures if you're sensitive to wind. Exposure to westerly flow means conditions deteriorate rapidly after 2 p.m.
The 30-day average score of 15.0 reflects typical spring volatility at this elevation; temperatures average 47 degrees Fahrenheit with wind averaging 6 mph. The week ahead will track the seasonal transition into early summer, with warming and variable afternoon winds. Watch for crowding spikes on weekends as Highway 120 conditions improve and access widens.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Poopenaut Valley Trailhead
Poopenaut Valley Trailhead anchors a quiet corner of the Yosemite corridor east of Highway 120, roughly 20 miles from Tioga Pass. The trailhead sits at 4,669 feet and opens to remote valley drainages and alpine lake basins rarely visited by day-hikers from Yosemite Valley proper. Access is via Highway 120; the nearest supply point is Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes to the south. Base popularity sits low (0.4) compared to Yosemite Valley destinations, making it a refuge during peak season weekends.
Spring through early summer conditions at Poopenaut Valley are governed by elevation and westerly wind patterns. The 30-day average temperature of 47 degrees Fahrenheit masks wide daily swings; expect frost until late spring and afternoon warming into the 50s or 60s by mid-day. Wind averages 6 mph over the month but gusts to 18 mph as thermal circulation builds by afternoon. Crowding stays light through spring (average 13 over 30 days) and begins climbing in June as snow recedes from higher passes. Winter snowpack lingers well into late spring, blocking higher drainages until late season.
Poopenaut Valley suits experienced hikers seeking solitude over popular vistas. The trailhead works best for overnighters and multi-day valley traverses; day-hikers should commit to early morning departures to avoid afternoon wind and deteriorating visibility. Parking is limited and fills unpredictably on weekends; arrive before 8 a.m. Bring water; creek flow is seasonal and unreliable in dry years. The zone attracts backcountry users skilled in navigation and camp-craft rather than casual ridge walkers.
Nearby Tioga Lake and the Highway 395 corridor offer faster sun exposure and slightly steadier conditions if Poopenaut Valley feels too remote or if afternoon wind peaks unexpectedly. Tenaya Lake sits northwest across Highway 120 and draws larger crowds but sits 400 feet lower in elevation and opens earlier in the season. For solitude-seekers content with high-altitude lake access and multi-day commitment, Poopenaut Valley remains a low-traffic entry to the Yosemite backcountry's eastern flank.