Mirror Lake Trail is a 4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Kamas, Utah that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Can see Mirror Lake from the Big Beehive viewpoints along with Lake Louise. You may access the loop trail … (There is no safe access to the north side of Mirror Lake directly from the south side of the loop, except via bridges at the west and east ends of the trail). Mirror Lake via the PCT from Windy Pass - this 7 ish mile 1300 gain RT hike seemed like a good choice for a day when steeper trails might be a little slippery with frost, first of all, the road is in good shape! The elevation gain to Mirror Lake is gradual, but the hike from Mirror Lake up to Eagle Cap is quite steep. With the old trailhead decommissioned in 2018, visitors now have a longer hike but with somewh… Hood. It offers a splendid view of the Beehive and is close to the Lake Agnes Tea House. There are 10 footbridges on this new section; nine of them were airlifted in by helicopter. Stay on the trail! From the plaza at the parking area, find the paved ADA trail that leads down a slope behind the restrooms. But - this particular hike attracts people in the droves. Rise gradually to cross more footbridges over trickling creeks that feed small bogs below. The trail to the lake is heavily visited and is kid friendly for the adventurous family. You will get a good work out and you'll see some pretty views, but you will also see crowds. Mirror Lake Ridge – Glacier Trail. The Shore Trail continues around to a two-plank boardwalk through a spiraea/willow swamp, where you'll get more views of Mount Hood. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing and is best used from May until October. This is a After a short but moderately strenuous additional 0.6 miles, you will reach the edges of Mirror Lake. Its name is given because the surface of the water acts like a mirror, casting reflections of the tall granite walls above it. Hiking beyond the lake up to Tom Dick and Harry Ridge and into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness is a more challenging hike with a view of the Cascade Range. The Mirror Lake Loop Trail is an absolutely wonderful trail that I would agree is more of a “walk” than a “hike”. TAKE CARE OUT THERE: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this trail is experiencing extremely heavy use. Mirror Lake Trail. This allows for a gorgeous, 6-mile round trip ramble along the PCT … In winter it can be icy and snowy, especially along the south side of Tenaya Creek. Image: Chris Ford | Creative Commons. Vault toilets are available about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the trailhead and also 1 mile (1.6 km) from the trailhead at the end of the paved service road at Mirror Lake. I followed a small trail that had me scrambling The last half mile of the road to the actual trailhead is not passable (that distance is counted in the hike distance here but might not be in other trip reports). Mirror Lake Loop Trail is a 3.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Government Camp, Oregon that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Length 1.5 mi Elevation gain 39 ft Route type Loop Be prepared to wear a mask during the many portions of this hike where physical distancing is not an option. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, nature trips, and horses and is best used from May until November. The Mirror Lake Trail (FT 1821) offers excellent opportunities for hiking, camping, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and fishing. It’s a brilliant way to see some iconic Yosemite landmarks and wildlife while getting some low-impact exercise in the fresh air. The basic directions for the hike to Mirror Lake are: Start from the Mirror Lake Trailhead by Ski Bowl West (0 miles) Hike down pavement to the first bridge on Mirror Lake Trail (0.2 miles) Follow the unpaved trail over 9 bridges and transition onto the steeper Existing Mirror Lake Trail (1.15 miles) The one thing I did not enjoy was a narrow boardwalk through a marsh. This trail is open year-round. Access the trail from Meeker by going west on County Road 13 then following County Road 8 (The Flat Tops Trail) to the Trappers Lake Road (FR 205). There are also great opportunities for lake camping and easy access to the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. This section of trail often remains covered in snow and ice, even when the north side of the loop is snow-free. When winter conditions exist, consider making an out and back trip along the north side of the loop. Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip to lake and back; 5 miles (8 km) loop around lake Elevation: 100 feet Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Time: 1 hour round trip to the lake (end of paved trail); 2-3 hours for full loop Begin at: Mirror Lake Trailhead (shuttle stop #17) This trail begins at shuttle stop #17. The Mirror Lake Hike is an easy hike, no matter your fitness level. The view of the lake was spectacular and was a good place to eat a small picnic lunch. From the shuttle stop, hike over the stone Tenaya Creek Bridge and make a right at the next paved junction to reach Mirror Lake. Come prepared, and if you opt to extend your hike to travel the full Mirror Lake Loop or up the Snow Creek Trail, plan accordingly. There are over 19 miles of hiking trails at Mirror Lake State Park. Mirror Lake in August is a dry trail, easy hike and at the end of the "lake" (also dry in August) is a stream you can cool off in, with a spectacular view of Half Dome up close. This park contains a swimming beach and a wooded shoreline with cliffs that are 50 feet tall. There’re two other trailheads at this access point: Cherry Creek Trail which connects with a large trail system to the west and Little Hellroaring Trail which leads east connecting with the Indian Ridge Trail. With the old trailhead decommissioned in 2018, visitors now have a longer hike but with somewhat less elevation gain from the new Mirror Lake Trailhead. Before Camp Creek, a pole-and-rail barrier prevents shortcutting at a switchback. The biggest challenge with hiking to Mirror Lake is the road to get there. Visitors can go hiking for the best chance at viewing wildlife. Don’t be tempted to leave the trail, and always remember when approaching moving water to look at the conditions downstream. Rhododendrons enter the understory, and you'll see springboard notches on rotting stumps. Carry out all trash and food waste (fruit peels, shells, etc.). Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. Mirror Lake Loop is a 1.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Kamas, Utah that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. There is a sign for the Mirror Lake trail at the point you can’t drive past. The next bridge crosses the creek that drains the Comerford Lakes. The loop follows Tenaya Creek beyond the lake, and crosses two bridges after the Snow Creek Trail junction before returning past Mirror Lake on the south side of Tenaya Canyon. You're in a secondary forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, silver fir, noble fir, and western red-cedar. Mirror Lake Trail: Winter hike to Mirror Lake - See 138 traveler reviews, 104 candid photos, and great deals for Hood River, OR, at Tripadvisor. Mirror Lake is not actually a lake, it’s just a wider part of Tenaya Creek, which comes all the way down from Tenaya Lake. This page has been accessed 296,550 times. All in all, the takeaway of the good points of this hike is that it is … Mirror Lake is a classic glacial cirque lake. The reflection of Mount Hood is perfect on a still day without a whisper of a breeze. If you're looking for a longer hike, turn left when you reach the Mirror Lake-Mirror Lake Shore Trail South Junction, and you'll be on the Tom Dick and Harry Mountain Hike, which enters the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Keep left to head back to the trailhead. The nearest parking area is at Curry Village, though you can easily access the trail by parking anywhere in eastern Yosemite Valley and taking the free shuttle (get off at shuttle stop #17). Beyond that, they are prohibited. After Camp Creek, you're on a wide duff trail. Note: It is also possible to access Mirror Lake from the Pacific Crest Trail trailhead at Windy Pass. Go Hiking Hiking Guide Mirror Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Mirror Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Snoqualmie Region. Didn’t make it up the peak as I had intended however I spent 95% of the trail by myself which was a relief. Mirror Lake Loop Trail is a lovely stroll through the woods in Yosemite National Park. The trail undulates along, passing over more bridges, and soon crosses Mirror Lake Creek. Trail gets busy with people going to the tea houses, Big Beehive so start early. It’s a pretty and easy hike with basically no elevation gain and is open year round (which makes it a great option if visiting in winter!). Cross a rocky stream bed, and see where a trail leads down to the shore for the iconic views you see in many photographs. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This 2.1 mile out-and-back hike with 700 foot elevation gain offers amazing views and reflections of Mt. Hood National Forest. As can be expected from its name, Mirror Lake provides beautifully mirrored views of … Location. The trail climbs down the peak slope into some lower valley and towards the Little Carp River. This is especially important during spring and early summer when water levels are highest. Difficulty: This is a challenging hike due its length and overall elevation gain, but there is no scrambling or off-trail hiking involved to reach the summit of Eagle Cap once the snow is gone. The Valley Visitor Shuttle (7 am to 10 pm year-round) serves the trailhead at shuttle stop #17. The main hiking and biking route is a one mile paved road up to the west shore of Mirror Lake on the north side of Tenaya Creek. This trail begins at shuttle stop #17. Named after the lake that sits in the center of the park, Mirror Lake State Park is home to a variety of wildlife that lives in its wetlands. Granted, the mirroring view of Mt. 400 m return via same track. Hiking Mirror Lake In Yosemite National Park. Its popularity is, however, well deserved. Echo Rock trail (0.6 miles) This paved, accessible trail begins near the Cliffwood campground or … Mirror Lake makes for an especially great hike in the early morning (and in Autumn!). Best to take this hike early morning or late afternoon as it's just very hot in summer. Hike Brief Mirror Lake was made famous in this photo by Ansel Adams. The hike to mirror lake from Lake of the Clouds took me about two to two and a half hours. Mirror Lake-Mirror Lake Shore Trail North Junction, Mirror Lake-Mirror Lake Shore Trail South Junction, Perfect Reflection of Mt Hood (Anne's Travels), Hike to Mirror Lake (The Outbound Collective), Mirror Lake + Tom Dick and Harry Mountain (Outdoor Project), Mount Hood Hikes: 5 Spots With Stunning Views of Oregon's Iconic Peak (Roots Rated), https://www.oregonhikers.org/w/index.php?title=Mirror_Lake_Hike&oldid=93221, Seasons: Late spring through latefFall; popular snowshoe hike in winter, Backpackable: Yes - limited camping at Mirror Lake. The new trail was machine-built, so it's wide and verged with debris from the operation. Be aware of slick conditions along the south side of this loop trail during winter and early spring. Elevation: 100 feet Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate A Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) is required. Whole trees have been felled over this path to decommission it. Late spring and early summer are the best times for a dip; the water is calm and peaceful. Head along through the bear-grass, and pass the access trail to another campsite before descending to the Mirror Lake-Mirror Lake Shore Trail North Junction. Exhibits along the trail tell the story of Mirror Lake's lake-to-meadow succession, and also highlight some of the cultural history of the area. Keep your food within arm's reach at all times and do not feed the wildlife. Reach the Mirror Lake-Mirror Lake Shore Trail North Junction, and go left to begin your clockwise tour around Mirror Lake. There are various short spurs that access the lake shore. Length. When water is calm, the lake offers beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs. Photo: The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust. Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass . Mirror Lakes Walk . Mirror Lake is a cute little lake up the mountain behind Lake Louise. The trail to the lake is heavily visited and is kid friendly for the adventurous family. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: The guidebooks below cover the old trail alignment. Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip to lake and back; 5 miles (8 km) loop around lake Gain: 1180 ft. View map below . Cross two footbridges over seasonally dry gullies. This page was last modified on 6 August 2020, at 21:12. Switchback on the narrower old tread, and pass a vine maple-verged patch of talus. Silver fir, Alaska yellow-cedar, and western red-cedar shade a well-trodden flat here. Hiking beyond the lake up to Tom Dick and Harry Ridge and into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness is a more challenging hike with a view of the Cascade Range. You can do the Mirror Lake hike at any point in the day, but I always prefer hiking it in the mornings. Mirror Lake is often referred to as Mirror Meadow in late summer due to the lack of water and the influx of grasses and sandy areas. Cross an old logging road, and then bend sharp left to rise steeply and intersect the old tread which came up from the U.S. 26 trailhead. The first mile of this trail is a paved service road that leads directly to Mirror Lake. Due to its easy accessibility directly off Highway 26, it can be a very busy trail on weekends. The small lake is not actually a lake at all but rather a large pond that forms in Tenaya Creek. Rating. Mirror Lake Trail is a great short day hike in the Mt. With few natural barriers to hold onto or to brace yourself, it is fairly easy to slip and fall. But even this, for me, doesn't make the hike an enjoyable one. Time: 1 hour round trip to the lake (end of paved trail); 2-3 hours for full loop There are campsites dotted all around the shores of the lake as well as spots that are perfect for a picnic or relaxing in the sun. The initial trail towards the lake is the Beaver Creek trail (1.2 miles). There are no additional restrooms along the trail. To extend your hike, start at the Lily Pond trail-head farther south on Summit Peak Road (5.3 miles to cabin). If you go early in the morning, you'll encounter less people. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until September. When hiking on the south side of the loop, hikers often spot what appears to be an easy way to rock-hop across Tenaya Creek, either just for fun, or as a way to shortcut the loop and rejoin the trail without doing the entire loop. Cross a single log footbridge over Mirror Lake Creek, and then emerge from the woods at an open bracken slope above Mirror Lake itself. Mirror Lake lies at the base of the central one, Blaze Mountain (10400′), which gives you an idea of the sort of terrain involved in the hike. Highest Point: 4195 ft. Please. Please note, during the winter snow season most trails are groomed for cross-country ski season and hiking is not allowed. DO YOUR PART: Services are extremely limited at this time, so please bring a trash bag with you so you can pack out what you pack in, including any dog poop from your four-legged hiking buddy. While this crossing is only ankle deep at first, it quickly becomes thigh deep, and, all too often, hikers are swept into dangerous whitewater and pinned against rocks. Mirror Lake is one of Yosemite's most popular tourist destinations, located in the northwest corner of Yosemite Valley at the mouth of Tenaya Canyon. The Mirror Lake Trail has the misfortune of being one of the few hikes accessible directly from Highway 26 and thus suffers a crush of visitors on weekends. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The first mile of this trail is a paved service road that leads directly to Mirror Lake. At a couple of scenic viewpoints, dog bags were visible in trees. The Mirror Lake Trail has the misfortune of being one of the few hikes accessible directly from Highway 26 and thus suffers a crush of visitors on weekends. Leashed pets, bicycles, and strollers are allowed on the first paved mile of the trail. This second paved route can also be used to cycle to Mirror Lake from Yosemite Village. Directions To Mirror Lake Trailhead Hike. You can also bicycle the first mile of the trail to the end of the paved service road. 7.0 miles, roundtrip. hood from the little lake (and it is a little lake) is picturesque - on a nice, clear day. Walk on another old logging road for a few yards, pass through a devil's club thicket, and switchback up twice to where a new pole-and-rail fence prevents cutting corners. Keep right at the Mirror Lake-Mirror Lake Shore Trail South Junction, and pass steps leading up to a campsite with a fire grate. Super cool hike, unbelievable views, and some pretty cool rocks lol You may access the loop trail from the end of the paved path. Mirror Lake . The trip to Mirror Lake begins at the Summit Peak Scenic Area. Six winding switchbacks descend to a wide footbridge over Camp Creek, where the paved section ends. Please note that most wildlife here are timid, it is better to watch from far away creating as little to no noise as possible. If you’re staying at Half Dome Village (aka Curry Village) it’s so easy to just walk over right after breakfast and probably not see anyone else until you come back. When it's windy, expect a more Impressionist effect. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. The steep slopes south and southwest of Mirror Lake are the glacier cirque headwall. Mirror Lake is a classic glacial cirque lake. From there, you can either turn around or park your bike and begin your hike. During the spring runoff, Tenaya Creek floods and forms several beautiful lakes that are indeed quite reflective, especially in the morning light. In the late summer and … Saw large porcupine here before and a nice hike up. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. On the south shore, you'll see a set of steps leading down. The attention is well-deserved: The well-graded trail takes you to a serene mountain lake with picture-postcard views of Mount Hood and rugged Tom Dick and Harry Mountain towering above. Drinking water is not available at the trailhead or along the trail. I like how empty the trail right away. Located in Fiordland National Park and Milford Road/Milford Sound area in the Fiordland region Expand all | Collapse all. Lying in the far east section of Yosemite Valley is a short hiking trail that leads to Mirror Lake. In the spring, fresh snowmelt can make it unsafe. I was out doing the Ramona Falls hike, and I decided that I needed to find a lake that provided me with a great view of Mt Hood. Parking is not available at the trailhead. Restrooms, information kiosk at trailhead, The maps below show the pre-2018 trail alignment. Elevation. 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