Porphyry Lake
Lake · 10,150 ft · Yosemite corridor
Porphyry Lake sits at 10,150 feet in the high Sierra corridor east of Yosemite, a glacially-carved alpine basin prone to afternoon wind and early-season snow closure.
Wind accelerates off the open water by mid-afternoon, typically running 9 mph average but gusting to 30 mph. Morning calm is reliable; afternoons are exposed. Snowpack governs access through May. Cold persists; expect 26 degrees Fahrenheit as a 30-day average.
Over the past 30 days, Porphyry Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 34, with temperatures holding at 26 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 9 mph. The week ahead will track typical late April patterns for this elevation: lingering snowpack, rising afternoon wind, and sparse crowds. Plan morning visits to dodge the wind funnels that form by early afternoon.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Porphyry Lake
Porphyry Lake occupies a high-Sierra basin at 10,150 feet, reachable via the Yosemite corridor from Highway 120. The lake drains north into the Lyell Fork and sits in snow-avalanche terrain; winter and early-spring approach requires awareness of slab conditions on surrounding slopes. Primary access is from the Tioga Road corridor; the lake remains snow-locked into late May most years. Gateway towns are Lee Vining to the east and Yosemite Valley to the southwest, each 60 to 90 minutes' driving time depending on road condition and season.
Porphyry Lake is a cold-water alpine lake where 26-degree Fahrenheit average temperatures and 9 mph average wind define the season. Afternoon wind acceleration is the dominant pattern; calm mornings shift to exposed conditions by mid-day, with gusts reaching 30 mph in the 30-day record. Spring snowpack controls access and dictates route difficulty through May. Summer brings modest crowding (6 people average in the 30-day rolling window) and warmer but still windy afternoons. Autumn sees temperature decline and wind persistence. Winter closure is standard; the lake sits above the winter-access threshold for most of the Yosemite corridor.
Porphyry Lake suits backcountry hikers and high-altitude campers comfortable with snow travel, cold overnight temperatures, and avalanche-terrain navigation. Visitors plan around morning wind windows, lingering snowpack, and the sharp diurnal temperature swing typical of 10,000-foot basins. Parking at trailheads is minimal and fills early on weekends; mid-week visits avoid congestion. Expect to be self-sufficient; no services exist at the lake. Experienced mountaineers use Porphyry as part of multi-day Sierra traverses; day hikers should confirm snow conditions and Tioga Road openness before committing.
Nearby alternatives in the Yosemite corridor include higher lakes (Gull Lake, Tenaya Lake) offering faster access and lower avalanche exposure, and lower-elevation lakes (Lee Vining area lakes) with longer seasons and warmer water. Porphyry Lake is more remote and more weather-exposed than its neighbours, making it a destination for solitude rather than convenience. The trade-off is fewer crowds and a higher chance of wind and snow disruption.