Wet Meadows Reservoir
Lake · 8,024 ft · Yosemite corridor
Wet Meadows Reservoir sits at 8024 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high-elevation lake fed by snowmelt, it remains calmer than windier alpine basins to the east.
Wind funnels across the lake by mid-afternoon, driven by thermal heating on surrounding slopes. Morning conditions are markedly calmer. The 30-day average wind of 10 mph masks afternoon gusts to 24 mph. Plan water activities for dawn; expect significant exposure after 2 PM.
The 30-day average temperature sits at 31 degrees Fahrenheit with a 30-day average wind of 10 mph, typical for high-elevation Sierra basins in late spring. The next week will track seasonal warming and variable afternoon wind as snowpack persists. Watch for wind ramps as the day advances and monitor avalanche forecasts from the Sacramento Avalanche Center if approaching alpine terrain near the reservoir.
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About Wet Meadows Reservoir
Wet Meadows Reservoir lies in the high Sierra at 8024 feet, north of Highway 120 in the Yosemite corridor. Access via Highway 120 from the west (Groveland gateway) or the Lee Vining approach from the east. The reservoir drains into the Tuolumne River system. Parking is limited; early arrival is essential on weekends. The location sits in avalanche terrain; assess snowpack stability and slope angle before travel.
Late spring brings lingering snowpack and melt-swollen inflow. The 30-day average temperature of 31 degrees Fahrenheit reflects the transition period; daily highs can reach the low 40s Fahrenheit under clear skies, but nights still dip below freezing. Wind patterns are pronounced: the 30-day average wind of 10 mph understates afternoon thermal winds that regularly peak near 24 mph. Crowding remains low (30-day average of 6 out of 10) because access roads and trailheads remain snowbound or congested. As snowpack retreats in late May and June, visitor pressure rises sharply.
Wet Meadows Reservoir suits backcountry campers, ice fishers (early season), and mountaineers planning high-Sierra crossings. Afternoon wind excludes paddlers and light-craft users after mid-morning. Wet conditions and avalanche terrain demand winter mountaineering competence in spring. Winter visitors must carry avalanche safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel) and check the Sacramento Avalanche Center forecast daily. Summer visitors should expect exposed, windswept conditions; sheltered coves and inlets exist but are small.
The reservoir offers solitude and high-elevation alpine character absent at lower Yosemite-corridor lakes like Tenaya Lake or Merced Lake. Nearby Cathedral Lakes and Glen Aulin Hot Springs lie within the same drainage and experience similar wind and seasonal closure patterns. Compare access difficulty and crowds: Wet Meadows draws far fewer visitors, but remoteness and avalanche terrain raise the bar for self-sufficiency.