Reds Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Reds Lake sits at 9,321 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada, a high-elevation lake accessible via Highway 120. Morning conditions typically calmer than afternoon.
Wind averages 8 mph but accelerates in afternoon hours as thermal circulation intensifies. The lake's high elevation and exposure to westerly flow mean gusts can reach 27 mph by mid-day. Mornings are markedly quieter; plan water-based activity before noon.
Over the last 30 days, Reds Lake has averaged a NoGo Score of 14.0 with temperatures around 34 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 8 mph. The week ahead will clarify whether conditions follow the typical spring pattern of warming and increasing wind, or hold steadier. Check the chart below to spot the best windows for your visit.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Reds Lake
Reds Lake lies in the high Sierra Nevada just east of Yosemite National Park, accessed primarily via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east. The lake sits at 9,321 feet elevation, placing it well above the tree line in a glacially sculpted basin. Nearby reference points include Tenaya Lake to the southwest and the broader Tioga Pass corridor. Drive times from Highway 120's Tioga entrance average 45 minutes to trailheads serving Reds Lake, making it a moderate commitment from gateway towns like Lee Vining or Groveland. Parking at designated pull-offs fills on fair-weather days, particularly weekends.
Reds Lake's 30-day average temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit reflects late-spring conditions at its elevation; expect snow patches persisting into late spring and exposed rock warming only during midday hours. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks a pronounced daily cycle: calm mornings give way to afternoon gusts as differential heating drives wind upslope and off the lake. Maximum wind measured over 30 days reached 27 mph, a threshold that disrupts paddling and fishing. Crowding averages 6 out of 10 during this rolling window, moderate for the corridor. Winter access requires snowshoe or climbing ability; early summer brings mud and snowmelt runoff.
Reds Lake suits visitors comfortable with alpine conditions and self-sufficiency. Anglers target the lake's native trout population, though variable water levels and silt load from snowmelt affect success. Backpackers use it as a waypoint on high-Sierra traverses rather than a destination. The site appeals to experienced outdoors users familiar with rapid weather changes, microclimate wind patterns, and navigation without marked trails. Parking shortages and afternoon wind make a pre-dawn or early-morning start non-negotiable. Bring layers; temperature swings from freezing shade to 50-degree sun create exposure risk.
Tenaya Lake, southwest of Reds Lake, offers more developed access and larger parking capacity but sees higher crowding. Cathedral Lakes and Echo Lakes in the broader Yosemite corridor provide similar elevation and alpine character at different distances. Reds Lake's isolation and low base popularity (0.25) keep it quieter than established roadside lakes, a trade-off for rougher approach and fewer facilities. Visitors familiar with the Tioga Pass region and Highway 120 closures in winter should plan visits between late spring and early autumn.