Well-rested from the night at the famed Wawona Hotel, and still on a high from hiking the Mariposa Grove Trail to Wawona Point the afternoon before, it was finally time to check out the Mirror Lake Loop Trail.
Hiking The Mirror Lake Loop Trail (Yosemite National Park, CA)
About The Mirror Lake Loop Trail
Once upon a time, Mirror Lake was one of the main draws for visitors of Yosemite. Although its heyday may have passed, the Mirror Lake Loop remains one of the most popular hiking trails in Yosemite.
Mirror Lake is not actually a “lake”, but rather a large (mostly) shallow pool from stemming from Tenaya Creek. In dry years, or come Autumn, Mirror Lake vanishes but that doesn’t make this hike any less worthwhile.
Many people refer to this hike as more of a “walk”. The trail itself is mostly flat, AllTrails.com lists it at 5.6 miles, while the National Park Service lists it at 5 miles. My iPhone stats show it at 6.7 miles, but I started from the parking lot in Lower Pines.
This easy-to-moderate trail takes about 2 hours to complete, and is mostly flat, heavily shaded, and stunningly beautiful. The trail provides rare views of Half Dome, North Dome, Mt. Watkins and Tenaya Canyon itself.
Mirror Lake Loop Trail Map
Red star = trailhead; green line = trail; blue arrows = recommended hiking direction
My iPhone Stats On The Hike
Location And Getting There
The trailhead is located at the extreme east end of Yosemite Valley. Luckily, this trailhead has its own Yosemite Shuttle stop (#17) and can therefore be accessed from anywhere in the valley with a shuttle stop.
FHOP Tip: If you can get there early – like before 7am early – there is a small parking lot in Lower Pines that will put you near the nearest shuttle stop (or within a mile of the trailhead). The early bird gets the worm (or the parking in this case).
Section 1: The Trailhead [The Mirror Lake Sign] To Mirror Lake
The Mirror Lake sign [below] marks the trailhead. Be sure to read it for the standard Mountain Lion protocols.
From the trailhead, follow along the short spur before joining up with the main loop trail.
You know the rules: don’t turn your back or run, make yourself appear big, and fight back!
The trail parallels the road for a bit
The spur trail joins with the main trail at this sign – keep left here
In the Autumn, the trail foliage changes into the spectacular colors of fall.
This section of trail will lead past many giant boulders and over trail paved with stone.
Here come the boulders
Soon, the trail will lead to a large sandy clearing – also known as Mirror Lake.
Behold, Mirror Lake! (Yes, it’s dry in the Fall)
Even though it’s dry, it’s still quite the playground
Section 2: Mirror Lake To The Rockfall Zone
Continuing counter-clockwise around Mirror Lake, the trail treks through a more densely forested area.
It’s here where you’ll gain your first first glimpses of Half Dome.
The “old lady” of Half Dome (straight ahead)
North Dome
After taking in the many views from the base of Mt. Watkins, the trail continues on to the area known as the Rockfall Zone (for obvious reasons).
The Rockfall Zone is up ahead
Looking up at Half Dome (right)
The rockfall, up close and personal
That peak marks the end of this loop trail
Section 3: The Mouth Of Tenaya Canyon To The Junction
After passing through the Rockfall Zone, the trail once again nears Tenaya Creek.
This moist, heavily wooded section of trail is particularly beautiful. It was lush, green, crowd-free and silent.
From here, the trail climbs gently up toward the Tenaya Creek bridge, marking the extreme east end of the loop trail.
Tenaya Creek Bridge
Crossing Tenaya Creek
Tenaya Creek trickles in Autumn
Warning: No camping from this sign east
FHOP Tip: You may want to heed the signage [above] and not venture any further into Tenaya Canyon. Like the other evil spirits that supposedly haunt Yosemite (like “Pohono,”), Tenaya Canyon is said to also host its own evil spirit as well as a particularly malevolent “curse”. Known as “the curse of Chief Tenaya“, this section of the park is dubbed by park rangers as “the Bermuda triangle of Yosemite” due to the fact Tenaya Canyon has been responsible for many deaths and “vanishings without a trace” going back to antiquity. Even John Muir himself nearly escaped death here as he noted in a letter to his friend in 1873. It’s probably wise to stay on the trail here of all places.
Small footbridge ahead
Not far from the foot bridge, you’ll come upon the North Dome/Tenaya Lake trail junction.
The Trail Junction
Happy Isles is 4.4 miles back from the Junction.
The rockfall to your death is only 1.0 km ahead!
Section 4: The Junction To Mirror Lake
After the North Dome/Tenaya Lake Junction, the trail meanders through another quite beautiful section of this hike.
This section of the hike also seemed to feature the most wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled.
Keep left at the 2.4 mile sign
Ah, my old friend the sun!
This guy led a family of mule deer that passed by
After about a mile or so, the trail loops back around to the north side of mirror lake.
Picnics on Mirror Lake
It’s here where the trail may get a little confusing because of several mini-junctions. Keep left at the forks and follow the signs toward Mirror Lake.
Another view of Half Dome
On the north side of Mirror Lake, there are many informational placards. Most are worth a look.
This point is a great entrance to the “bottom of the lake”
View of Mt. Watkins from the lakebed
Bonus: The “Hidden” Rock Garden
Near the signage above, there is little “staircase” that leads into a hidden rock garden filled with rock cairns.
Follow these “stairs” to the rock garden
The Hidden Rock Garden
From the Rock Garden, head back to the main trail to view the final informational placards and take in your final views of the lake.
On the walk back, we opted for the [more crowded] road leading back to the car
Almost back!
Final Thoughts: Hiking The Mirror Lake Loop Trail (Yosemite National Park, CA)
Being that Yosemite National Park is one of my favorite places on earth, I am frankly embarrassed to admit this was my first time hiking Mirror Lake.
The Mirror Lake Loop Trail is an absolutely wonderful trail that I would agree is more of a “walk” than a “hike”. Mirror Lake makes for an especially great hike in the early morning (and in Autumn!).
It’s a brilliant way to see some iconic Yosemite landmarks and wildlife while getting some low-impact exercise in the fresh air.  Just don’t venture off the trail too deep into Tenaya Canyon!
Cheers!
