Upper Young Lake
Lake · Yosemite corridor
Upper Young Lake sits at 10,243 feet in the Yosemite corridor's high Sierra, a glacially-fed alpine lake accessible from the Tioga Pass corridor. Morning conditions are typically calmer than afternoon.
Wind accelerates off the open water by mid-afternoon, funneling through the drainage. Morning water is flat and cold. Temperature swings are sharp; expect mid-20s Fahrenheit average with afternoon gusts to 30 mph. Crowds stay light year-round due to elevation and access.
Over the last 30 days, Upper Young Lake averaged a NoGo Score of 16.0 with mean wind of 10 mph and an average temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Afternoon wind is the consistent limiter; the 30-day max gust reached 30 mph. The week ahead will track similar patterns: morning windows are viable, afternoon deterioration predictable. Plan for cold water and wind-driven chop after 11 a.m.
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About Upper Young Lake
Upper Young Lake lies at 10,243 feet in the high Sierra Nevada, northeast of Yosemite Valley along the Tioga Pass corridor. Access is primarily via Highway 120 east from Yosemite Village or west from Lee Vining. The lake sits in a glacial cirque below Cathedral Peak; it feeds into the Young Lakes drainage system. Drive time from Yosemite Valley is approximately 90 minutes via Tioga Pass. The trailhead is reached via the High Country roads. Parking is limited; arrive before dawn during peak season to secure a space.
The lake's character is defined by elevation and exposure. At over 10,000 feet, water temperature remains near freezing year-round; ice-out typically occurs in late June or early July. The 30-day average wind is 10 mph, but afternoon thermals drive gusts to 30 mph regularly. Temperature averages 26 degrees Fahrenheit over the last 30 days, with winter lows dropping to 12 degrees and summer highs reaching 38 degrees. The 365-day max wind is 30 mph. Crowding averages 6.0 out of 10 even during summer; the remote elevation keeps this lake relatively quiet. Morning conditions are calm; wind builds by midday and peaks in afternoon hours.
Upper Young Lake suits alpine paddlers, cold-water swimmers comfortable with wetsuits, and backpackers seeking isolation. The short summer season (late June through September) concentrates use; late September offers the best combination of stable weather and thinning crowds. Visit on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings to avoid weekend traffic and secure parking. Bring a wetsuit; water temperature rarely exceeds 50 degrees. A headlamp is essential for pre-dawn approaches. Smoke from distant fires can reduce visibility in late summer; check current air quality before the drive.
Nearby Cathedral Lakes offer similar alpine conditions at slightly lower elevation. Tenaya Lake, reached via Highway 120 before climbing to the high country, provides an intermediate-elevation alternative with marginally warmer water. The Mono Basin to the east (Lee Vining area) features desert-adjacent lakes with stronger afternoon wind but faster water warming in midsummer. Upper Young Lake is best paired with a multi-lake backpack loop rather than visited in isolation; the remoteness rewards committed overnight trips.