Rickey Cabin
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Rickey Cabin sits at 8,255 feet in the high Sierra along the Yosemite corridor. A sparse, exposed campground that catches afternoon wind but clears quickly after storms.
Wind accelerates upslope in the afternoon, peaking between 2 and 5 p.m. Morning calm gives way to sustained gusts by early afternoon. Exposure is the defining trait; shelter from trees is minimal. Expect 14 mph average winds with regular spikes above 30 mph.
Over the last 30 days, Rickey Cabin averaged a NoGo Score of 16.0 with temperatures around 34 degrees Fahrenheit and an average wind speed of 14 mph. The week ahead will show the typical spring pattern of rising afternoon wind and variable crowding as Highway 120 approaches seasonal opening. Watch the trend grid for morning windows and temperature swings that signal approaching systems.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Rickey Cabin
Rickey Cabin is a small, high-elevation campground in the Yosemite corridor, situated at 8,255 feet on the eastern approach to the Sierra. It sits near the headwaters drainage flowing toward Mono Basin, roughly 45 minutes from Lee Vining via Highway 395 and Highway 120. The location is accessed primarily from the south via Highway 395 or from the west once Highway 120 opens in late spring. Base popularity is low (0.3); it attracts few casual visitors and fewer crowds than roadside pullouts in Yosemite Valley.
Rickey Cabin experiences a compressed shoulder season. From late spring through early fall, afternoon wind dominates. The 30-day average wind speed stands at 14 mph, with gusts regularly climbing to 30 mph or higher; the rolling 30-day maximum is 37 mph. Temperatures average 34 degrees in the current period and range from lows near 15 degrees in winter to highs around 50 degrees in midsummer. The average NoGo Score over 30 days is 16.0, indicating frequent marginal conditions. Crowding is light year-round, averaging 12 on the same 100-point scale.
Rickey Cabin suits visitors seeking solitude at elevation who can tolerate wind and sparse amenities. Early morning and calm-day visits reward patient planners. The site works best for those comfortable with self-reliance and minimal infrastructure. Experienced high-Sierra travelers expect afternoon wind as a given and plan fishing, hiking, or camp tasks for the morning window. Parking is limited; arrivals should come before mid-morning on weekends. The location is too exposed and too windy for casual car camping but ideal for backcountry staging or a quiet weekday escape.
Nearby Mono Basin and the Mammoth Lakes area (south via Highway 395) offer competing access to similar elevation. Tioga Lake and Tenaya Lake, both on Highway 120, sit slightly lower and slightly more protected but draw significantly more traffic once the highway opens. For those seeking a truly quiet, wind-exposed high-Sierra camp in the Yosemite corridor, Rickey Cabin trades amenities and shelter for solitude and direct access to high-country trails.