Ten Lakes Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Ten Lakes Trailhead sits at 7,556 ft in Yosemite's high Sierra corridor, accessed via Highway 120. A high-elevation entry point to granite cirques and alpine meadows, it typically runs cooler and windier than valley approaches.
Wind funnels consistently through the ridgeline; expect 8 mph baseline with afternoon gusts to 29 mph. Morning calm lasts until mid-day. Exposure is direct on the approach. Afternoon warming is marginal at this elevation, so layering matters more than peak-hour shelter.
Over the past 30 days, Ten Lakes averaged a NoGo Score of 18.0 with temperatures holding near 31 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 8 mph. The week ahead will test whether the typical spring pattern of rising wind and occasional cold snaps holds. Plan around morning departures and watch for wind spikes after 11 am.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Ten Lakes Trailhead
Ten Lakes Trailhead sits at 7,556 ft on the north rim of the Yosemite corridor, accessed via Highway 120 from Lee Vining or the west. The trailhead serves as the entry to a high-Sierra cirque system with ten alpine lakes strung across glacier-carved terrain. Drive time from Yosemite Valley is roughly 2 hours via Highway 120 east; from the eastern gateway towns, allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Highway 120 typically reopens in late April or early May after winter closure. Parking is limited; arrive before 8 am on weekends during snow-free season.
Ten Lakes Trailhead sits in a wind corridor. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks afternoon peaks to 29 mph. Temperature averages 31 degrees Fahrenheit over the past month, with a year-round low of 18 degrees and high of 48 degrees. Spring (late April through May) brings snow melt, unpredictable wind, and rare calm mornings. Summer (June through early September) offers stable mornings and fierce afternoon wind. Early autumn (late September through October) delivers the most stable conditions: lower average wind, cooler temperatures, and minimal crowds. Winter access depends on Highway 120 status; the road closes seasonally.
Ten Lakes Trailhead suits day hikers and backcountry users seeking high-elevation granite lakes without the Yosemite Valley bottleneck. Experienced visitors plan for the wind and start early. Afternoon paddlers and mountaineers watch for 2 to 4 pm wind spikes that can turn lakes choppy and expose ridge passages to sideways force. Snow lingers into June in typical years; post-holing is common. The trailhead draws moderate crowds (averaging 13.0 on the crowding index), spiking the first two weekends after Highway 120 opens.
Nearby alternatives include Cathedral Lakes (further south, slightly lower elevation, marginally more sheltered) and Glen Aulin (lower, wetter drainage, busier). Ten Lakes Trailhead is less famous than either and benefits from lower pressure. The Yosemite corridor offers a range of elevations and exposures; Ten Lakes is the high-wind outlier. Visitors seeking calm should target early morning or shift to south-facing ridges where afternoon thermal patterns differ.