Young Lakes Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Young Lakes Trailhead sits at 8,622 feet in Yosemite's high Sierra corridor, offering alpine access with moderate exposure. Typically calmer than the open ridges to the north but windier than protected valley floors.
Morning calm gives way to afternoon wind funneling off the lakes by mid-day. Exposure increases as you climb away from the trailhead; lower elevations near the parking area stay more sheltered. Watch for rapid afternoon wind swings and sudden temperature drops after 2 PM.
Over the last 30 days, the average NoGo Score was 18.0 with temperatures averaging 31 degrees and wind averaging 8 mph. Expect highly variable conditions in the week ahead. Wind has maxed at 30 mph in recent months, and afternoon gusts remain the dominant planning constraint. Early morning departures and sub-noon turnarounds are critical for avoiding the worst of the afternoon pattern.
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About Young Lakes Trailhead
Young Lakes Trailhead sits at 8,622 feet on the eastern flank of the Sierra crest in Yosemite National Park's backcountry corridor. Access is via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east; the trailhead parking area sits roughly 10 miles from Tioga Pass on the high desert approach. The main route climbs northeast into alpine lakes basin terrain with glacially-sculpted granite and sparse tree cover. The parking area itself sits exposed; afternoon wind can make vehicle doors hard to close. Nearby Tenaya Lake and the Cathedral Range dominate the skyline to the west.
Conditions at Young Lakes Trailhead are heavily elevation and time-of-day dependent. The 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks significant afternoon acceleration; gusts regularly exceed 20 mph by 2 PM once spring weather establishes. Temperatures average 31 degrees over the last month but swing 15 to 45 degrees across the full year, with snowpack persisting well into early summer at the higher lake basins. Crowding averages 13.0 over 30 days and peaks on weekends after Highway 120 opens to summer traffic. Morning conditions from first light to 10 AM are typically 60 percent calmer than afternoon. Afternoon wind funnels directly off the largest lake and accelerates as you gain elevation.
Young Lakes Trailhead suits early-start hikers, alpine lake swimmers in midsummer, and backpackers comfortable with exposed ridge conditions. Experienced mountaineers use it to access climbing terrain on the Cathedral Range. Day hikers should plan a dawn departure, reach the lower lakes by 11 AM, and descend before 3 PM wind peaks. The parking area fills rapidly on warm weekends; arrive by 7 AM or expect a full lot. Snow and ice linger on north-facing slopes and creek crossings through early June. Afternoon thunderstorms are common midsummer; descend off ridges by 2 PM. This trailhead is best for self-sufficient users comfortable with minimal facilities and rapid weather swings.
Nearby Tioga Lake and Grant Lake offer lower-elevation alternatives with less afternoon wind exposure and earlier seasonal access. The Cathedral Lakes approach from Tenaya Lake provides similar alpine lake access with slightly better shelter in the approach. Lyell Canyon drains south and offers gentler terrain for backpackers avoiding ridge wind. Young Lakes Trailhead's exposed character makes it less forgiving than Yosemite Valley day hikes but more reliably accessible than higher passes along the crest.