Reymann Lake
Lake · 10,062 ft · Yosemite corridor
Reymann Lake sits at 10,062 feet in the high Sierra, a glacially-carved basin in the Yosemite corridor. Wind funnels off the water by mid-afternoon; mornings are calmer and colder.
Wind averages 12 mph across the 30-day window, with gusts reaching 33 mph in the afternoon. Morning surface is typically flat; afternoon chop builds predictably. Snow lingers into late spring at this elevation. Cold air pools in the basin before sunrise.
The 30-day average score of 34 reflects frequent wind and late-season snowpack. Temperatures average 24 degrees Fahrenheit; expect the coldest readings before dawn. The week ahead shows typical spring volatility: calm mornings interrupted by afternoon wind surges. Plan around the wind cycle, not the day of the week.
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About Reymann Lake
Reymann Lake occupies a high-Sierra cirque in the Yosemite corridor, accessible primarily via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass road) when open. The lake drains into the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River and sits northeast of Lyell Peak. Most parties approach from the Lyell Canyon trailhead or via the High Sierra Camps network. Drive time from Lee Vining is roughly 90 minutes; from Yosemite Valley, 2.5 to 3 hours depending on Highway 120 conditions. Winter closure of the pass (typically November to May) forces longer, lower-elevation approaches or makes the site inaccessible.
Spring and early summer are volatile at 10,062 feet. The 30-day average temperature of 24 degrees Fahrenheit masks rapid swings; the 365-day record shows lows near 12 degrees and highs near 38. Wind averages 12 mph but gusts to 33 mph, almost always strongest in afternoon hours. Snowpack lingers through late May in most years; avalanche terrain above and adjacent to the lake requires awareness of wet-slab hazard as solar warming increases. By late September, conditions stabilize: wind calms, temperatures rise, and snow vanishes entirely. Crowding remains light at base popularity of 0.25, spiking only in the first week or two after Highway 120 reopens.
Reymann Lake suits winter alpinists, spring ski-mountaineers, and fall hikers seeking solitude at high elevation. Paddlers and swimmers avoid the site in spring (cold water, unstable ice edges); summer brings the warmest conditions but also afternoon wind. Parties planning overnight trips must carry stove fuel and warm shelter; wind-exposed sites demand guy-line anchors. Early morning start before 9 a.m. is critical if you intend to depart by early afternoon. Afternoon wind gusts of 33 mph are common and punishing above treeline. Parking at the trailhead fills occasionally during September weekends; arrive before dawn or plan a weekday ascent.
Nearby Lyell Peak and the Lyell Canyon system offer a wider high-Sierra experience; both share the same wind patterns and seasonal closure. Donohue Pass and the Lyell Fork drainage are snowier and retain avalanche hazard longer than Reymann's open basin. In late September when conditions lock in, Reymann becomes a faster weekend objective than higher passes. The 30-day wind average of 12 mph is comparable to exposed ridges throughout the Tuolumne High Country; Reymann's basin orientation traps and accelerates afternoon flows, making the site windier than sheltered valley lakes like nearby Lyell Base.