Upper Hoover Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Upper Hoover Lake sits at 9,833 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a glacially-fed alpine basin exposed to afternoon wind funnels off the crest.
Wind rises steadily through mid-morning and peaks in the afternoon as solar heating drives flow off the high ridges. Morning hours offer calm water; afternoons see sustained gusts that can exceed 30 mph. The lake's shallow basin and open exposure make it significantly windier than sheltered valley lakes at lower elevation.
Over the last 30 days, Upper Hoover Lake averaged 14 mph wind and a NoGo Score of 15, with temperatures staying near 25 degrees Fahrenheit and crowding light at an average of 6. The week ahead will follow the same high-altitude pattern: cold mornings, strong afternoon wind, and minimal crowds. Plan for early-day access if you're sensitive to wind.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Upper Hoover Lake
Upper Hoover Lake occupies a glacially-carved basin in the high Sierra at 9,833 feet, roughly 10 miles northeast of Tioga Pass (Highway 120) in the Yosemite corridor. The lake drains northward into the East Fork Carson River system. Access is via the high country approach from Lee Vining or the eastern Sierra; the nearest hub is Mammoth Lakes to the south. This is true alpine terrain: exposed, wind-prone, and snowbound until late spring. The lake opens to visitation typically by late spring once Highway 120 crosses the Sierra crest reliably.
Upper Hoover Lake's weather follows high-altitude Sierra patterns with brutal precision. The 30-day average wind stands at 14 mph, but afternoon gusts routinely climb to 30 mph or higher; the recent maximum was 33 mph. Mean temperature over the last month was 25 degrees Fahrenheit, with the annual range spanning 10 to 40 degrees. Crowding remains low year-round, averaging 6 visitors on peak days. Spring and early summer bring the most predictable conditions; late summer sees more thermal wind development. Winter snowpack locks the lake until May or June depending on year.
Upper Hoover Lake suits backcountry campers, mountaineers, and alpine fishermen willing to plan around wind and cold. The shallow, exposed basin makes it poor for paddlers in the afternoon; kayakers and canoeists should launch by 8 or 9 a.m. and exit by mid-day. Backpackers appreciate the remoteness and lack of crowds; the elevation and exposure demand acclimatization and strong weather reading. Snow and ice persist into June most years, so late-season trips work better than shoulder-season attempts. Water is icy year-round; immersion risk is real.
Upper Hoover Lake's isolation mirrors other high-basin lakes in the Yosemite corridor like Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Lake, but it sits higher and colder. The wind regimen is more predictable here than at lower elevations where thermal gradients shift unpredictably. Visitors pairing this lake with a Tioga Pass traverse should expect similar conditions eastward into the White Mountains. The lack of trails down to the lake itself makes it a destination for off-trail hikers and mountaineers, not day-use tourists.