Post Lakes
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Post Lakes sits at 9,987 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra. This glacially-carved alpine lake offers shelter from afternoon wind and lighter crowds than lower-elevation neighbours.
Post Lakes catches reliable morning calm before westerly wind funnels across the basin by midday. Afternoon gusts average 9 mph but spike to 30 mph. Surface temperature runs cold year-round; expect 26 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Skip afternoons if you're paddling or fishing.
Over the last 30 days, Post Lakes averaged a NoGo Score of 15.0 with wind averaging 9 mph and temperatures holding at 26 degrees. The week ahead shows typical spring volatility; morning windows remain your best window. Monitor the afternoon column closely, as wind consistently builds into the Sierra afternoon pattern.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Post Lakes
Post Lakes lies in the high-Sierra Yosemite corridor at 9,987 feet, accessed via Highway 120 through Tioga Pass or via the eastern Sierra approach. The lake sits in glacially-carved terrain east of Yosemite's main crest. Primary parking and trailhead access come from the Tioga Road corridor; arrival typically requires 4 to 5 hours from the Bay Area or 3 to 4 hours from the eastern Sierra communities. This elevation and location place it beyond casual reach, ensuring lower base popularity and quieter conditions than Valley-floor destinations.
Post Lakes sits in the transition zone between spring snow and summer accessibility. Winter snowpack blocks access until late spring; the lake remains frozen or partially frozen through early season. Summer brings stable high-pressure patterns and calmer mornings, though afternoon wind becomes the ruling factor. The 30-day rolling average wind of 9 mph masks the diurnal swing: mornings hold 2 to 5 mph, afternoons spike to 15 to 30 mph. Temperature averages 26 degrees Fahrenheit across the rolling 30-day window, with the 365-day minimum of 13 degrees reflecting early-season or storm conditions. Crowding averages 6 on the rolling 30-day scale, sparse by Sierra standards.
Post Lakes suits backcountry fishers, alpine lake swimmers, and packpackers seeking quiet high-elevation camps. The cold water and sparse crowds attract experienced outdoors users who plan around afternoon wind and accept the late-season access window. Fishing for alpine trout remains the primary draw. Visitors should expect no services, limited parking, and a hard closure during snowpack season. Bring wind-resistant shelter; afternoon gusts above 25 mph are routine and can build unpredictably. Early morning starts (before 08:00) minimize wind exposure and maximize calm-water conditions.
Post Lakes sits 8 to 12 miles northeast of Tenaya Lake and south of the Cathedral Range crest. Nearby Tenaya Lake offers warmer water and easier access but higher crowds and more afternoon exposure. The Yosemite corridor from Tuolumne to the Tioga Road junction includes Cathedral Lakes, Spillway Lake, and numerous unnamed alpine pools; Post Lakes ranks among the quieter options and rewards early starts and off-peak timing. Late spring and early autumn offer the narrowest windows but the most stable conditions.