Rattlesnake Lake
Lake · 5,564 ft · Yosemite corridor
Rattlesnake Lake sits at 5564 feet in the Yosemite corridor of the Sierra Nevada. A high-elevation alpine lake with moderate wind exposure and low base popularity, it appeals to visitors seeking solitude away from the valley crowds.
Morning conditions are typically calm; wind picks up by mid-afternoon as thermals drive air off the lake basin. The 30-day average wind of 9 mph masks afternoon gusts that can reach 24 mph. Water remains cold year-round. Paddlers and swimmers should plan morning visits; afternoon hikers will encounter less wind shade.
Over the past 30 days, Rattlesnake Lake has averaged a NoGo Score of 13.0 with temperatures holding at 47 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead will show typical late-spring patterns: cooler mornings, warming afternoons, and crowding well below peak season levels. Watch for afternoon wind surges and variable snowpack melt affecting water levels and stream crossings on approach routes.
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About Rattlesnake Lake
Rattlesnake Lake occupies a glacial basin on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada within the Yosemite corridor. Access is primarily via Highway 120 from the north or Highway 395 from the east, with trailhead parking near the lake outlet. The lake drains into the Tenaya drainage system. At 5564 feet, it sits above the valley floor but below the crest ridges; the surrounding terrain is subalpine forest and talus slopes. Nearest gateway towns are Lee Vining (east) and Groveland (west). Most visitors approach from Highway 120, which typically opens in early May and closes again in November depending on snowpack.
Weather at Rattlesnake Lake is driven by elevation and exposure. The rolling 30-day average temperature is 47 degrees Fahrenheit; over a full year, the range spans 35 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Morning calm gives way to afternoon wind; the 30-day average wind of 9 mph understates typical gusts, which spike to 24 mph by late day as the lake warms the air above it. Crowding averages 6 out of 10 (a low figure), reflecting the location's modest popularity and difficulty of access in shoulder seasons. Early summer (late May through June) brings the heaviest traffic coinciding with Highway 120 fully open and High Country snow melting out. Late September and early October offer the most stable weather and fewest crowds.
Rattlesnake Lake suits day hikers, backpackers, anglers, and paddlers comfortable with cold water and afternoon wind. The typical visitor is intermediate to advanced; the approach requires solid footing and stream crossing skills. Day trips dominate. Bring water and sun protection; the basin has minimal shade and the reflective terrain amplifies UV exposure. Paddlers should launch by mid-morning and clear the lake by early afternoon to avoid wind-driven chop. Fishing is productive early and late in the day. Overnight trips require bear canisters and water treatment; snow lingers into mid-June, making early-season camps wet and demanding.
Visitors balancing Rattlesnake Lake with nearby High Country options should compare it to Cathedral Lake (more traffic, more scenic subalpine meadows), Tenaya Lake (larger, more exposed, higher crowding), and Yosemite Valley itself (lower elevation, milder weather, substantially higher crowds). Rattlesnake Lake's small size and modest base popularity make it ideal for solitude-seekers willing to time their visits early in the week and early in the day. The trade-off is a less dramatic landscape and less reliable water in very dry years.