Upper Kinney Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Upper Kinney Lake sits at 8,681 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a glacially-fed alpine basin exposed to afternoon wind funneling off the ridgeline.
Wind dominates here. The 30-day average runs 14 mph, with gusts to 30 mph typical in the afternoon as air rises off the eastern drainage. Morning conditions are calmer and clearer. Crowds remain light year-round, but snow persists well into late spring.
Over the last month, Upper Kinney Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 14.0 with winds holding at 14 mph and temperatures at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead shows the seasonal pattern holding: expect morning windows before midday wind builds, with crowding staying modest through early season.
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About Upper Kinney Lake
Upper Kinney Lake is a subalpine lake in the Yosemite corridor's high-Sierra drainage, accessed via Highway 120 from Lee Vining or the western approaches through Tuolumne Meadows. The lake sits at 8,681 feet, making it accessible late spring through early fall once snow clears the approach trails. The primary entry is from the Tioga Pass corridor; drive times from Lee Vining run roughly 90 minutes with a mix of paved highway and forest road. Base popularity remains low (0.25), meaning solitude is the default condition even on weekends.
Conditions at Upper Kinney Lake are driven by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average temperature sits at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, reflecting the high-elevation setting. Wind is the dominant force: the rolling 30-day average wind speed is 14 mph, with maximum gusts reaching 30 mph. Afternoons are windier than mornings as thermal gradients build; head here on calm mornings if you are paddling or fishing. Snowpack typically lingers into late spring, making early-season access variable. Crowding averages only 6 out of 100, meaning you will rarely encounter more than a handful of other parties.
Upper Kinney Lake suits backcountry anglers, photographers, and packrafters seeking isolation over amenity. The setting is austere: sparse shoreline vegetation, cold water, and exposure to the prevailing westerlies. Experienced visitors plan around the afternoon wind window; a morning start yields 4 to 5 hours of calm conditions before gusts build by midday. Water temperature remains near freezing even mid-summer. Parking is minimal and informal; expect to self-register or use dispersed camping areas nearby. The low base popularity means you will rarely compete for campsites, but the trade-off is zero services and full self-sufficiency required.
Nearby alternatives in the Yosemite corridor include the lower Kinney Lake basin (slightly warmer and more protected) and the Tuolumne Meadows lake cluster to the west, which offer more developed trail access but significantly higher crowding. The Tioga Pass gateway towns (Lee Vining to the east, Tuolumne to the west) provide supply stops. Upper Kinney's extreme isolation and high elevation make it a destination for experienced backcountry users rather than day-hikers; pair it with adjacent high-Sierra lakes for a multi-day loop to justify the drive.