Mirror Lake

Beautiful place with a moderate difficulty trail. It’s not hard but you will have rocks and steps. In total, you might need 2 – 3 hours for the entire loop if you’re taking a mild pace.
The site of the landslide was amazing to see, and the views of Half Dome from the other side of the lake are spectacular even though you’re on ground level.
Side note for those of you with wifi addictions: The signal on this trail is strong than at the Lodge. Funny that.
Words can’t do this place justice, so I won’t attempt any further.

Took a trip to Yosemite national park with my dog and was so stoked there are some trails that allows dogs. Mirror lake was one of them. We were able to take a stroll down the paved trail to mirror lake. Right when you get to the lake, the paved trail ends so we weren’t able to continue any further but it was a nice stroll

A chill hike in Yosemite Valley. I’d recommend this hike since it’s pretty chill & the scenery is beautiful.
Difficulty — easy/​moderate.
Distance — about 1.5−2 miles 1-​way. double-​back to get home.
Loops — Nope
Shade — about half-​of it
Scenery — Solid ⁴⁄₅. Unfortunately we went around the end of August and the lake was dry, but still a great experience nonetheless.
TIPS:
–There’s lots of horse poop on the hike. In some parts the smell was atrocious.
–Trail is well maintained. There’s also bathrooms on the trail.

Horse dropping all over the trail to view a small pond that was once a lake. If you want to check out a BEAUTIFUL lake, go to Elizabeth Lake in Tuolumne Meadows. Now that is a lake I could spend all day at!

If I could stay away from society this would be high on the list of locations to be go. The energy alone captivated my soul and I love it. Hiking and admiring the simplicity of mother nature’s ability to create such a magnificent creation is what is here. You can only see mirror lakes beauty thru a lens IMO although you can appreciate the view with your soul. I’ll come here again with the proper ingredients to zone out and become 1 with the environment!

Perhaps I was woefully unprepared, but I was not expecting Mirror Lake to be an almost entirely receded lake in May. I would love to come back sometime when Mirror Lake is full of water and very mirror-​y.
The hike to Mirror Lake is not difficult at all, and it about 1 mile from shuttle stop #17 to the lake itself, and then another mile back (if you choose to go around the lake, I believe it’s around 5 miles total). It’s not very steep, but the entire trail had horse poop and the smell got pretty bad at some points. We did see several horseback riding groups along the way compared to in other areas of the park so we knew this must be a popular route for them. Besides the horse poop, the hike to Mirror Lake was fairly pleasant — some running water, nice views of the granite mountains, and peacefulness all around.
When we got to Mirror Lake, there was a sign, and I was thinking to myself, «this is it?» There are ponds that are bigger than what was left of Mirror Lake. When I was there, you could walk across a small fallen tree and get to the other side of the lake, hop down, and then walk by foot across a field that was the remnant of the rest of the lake. It seemed like the lake had been dry for quite awhile, because there were many worn paths where other hikers also did some exploring. The small section that was left of Mirror Lake did live up its name of shining and reflecting just like a mirror.

#600. There are many roads that start at Happy Aisles trailhead… You can hike to Happy Aisles Trail; take Misty Trail to waterfalls and Half Dome or, as I decided in spur of the moment one beautiful sunny morning, Mirror Lake.
It’s the easiest hike ever, and please go early — by 11am there are way to many people there to enjoy the serenity and reflections.
It is beautifully calm. Reflections are unbelievable and just as much, unforgettable.
This is, by far, my favorite serenity spot in Yosemite.
I sit on one of the fallen trees to change to lighter gear, switch lens in the camera, take few selfies, and after that just to enjoy peace and quiet, listening to birds and breathing fresh mountain air.
I walk around for a bit, mesmerized by mirrors in the water, and I find a heart in the grass, made from fallen pine cones.
Just like person who made it, I realized at that moment — I will leave part of my heart in those mountains, by the reflective waters of Mirror Lake…
Farewell, Mirror Lake, I am coming back, soon!

The mirror lake is just what it’s name suggests. It reflects the scenery on looking. We went there in early July and the water had receeded a lot. However even with little water, the trail to this lake and the lake itself are very lovely. The mirror lake trail is one of the easiest trails in the Yosemite National Park and some views from this trail include water streams, trees and views of monolithic rocks from all sides. The trail is just a mile one way and it’s pretty flat so it just feels like a stroll. There is almost no chance of encountering any animals here except some squirrels. There is a shuttle stop right outside the trail entrance. You can take the shuttle from any of the other 20 stops in the valley. Lots of photo opportunities here.

To be obvious, the name of this lake is exactly what it sounds. The lake clearly reflects it’s surrounding and the ever so famous Half Dome. The walk to this lake is about a mile and it’s really easy. It was as hard as walking down the street for a mile. No hiking gear? No problem. The hike to the lake is really scenic with a stream and trees surrounding the trail. Once you get to the lake, it’s really pretty with the trees and the mountains and lake (I apparently suck at describing nature). There’s areas where you can just hang out and enjoy it.
Overall, it’s a gorgeous place to check out if you want a short and leisure hike.

Visited Mirror Lake a week ago and it wasn’t all that nice but then again we have had a drought in California.
Nature is simply beautiful. Hiked from Stop #17 (Yosemite Shuttle) to Mirror Lake and past the Lake. Trail has a loop from Mirror Lake to Snow Creek Trail.
Was lost in nature for a good two hours and loved every minute. When visiting Yosemite make sure to take the hike to Mirror Lake, even though it was not at full water capacity it was still beautiful.
Even took pictures of deer upclose and video.

This has just amazing views of half dome and the surrounding areas. The lake was dry when I went but it was still worth it for the views. It was a nice bike ride up here.

In November, the lake was pretty dry, but I didn’t mind. It’s a very easy hike, and a great warm-​up hike to get the leg muscles stretched and ready for more strenuous walking. I actually mistakenly took the horse trail (oops), but in November there wasn’t a lot of dung like other people reported. Plus the cold numbs the scent anyways.
You always see the pictures of the lake, and while that’s certainly beautiful, the rocks and greenery around the lake are also beautiful when the lake is dry. The boulders were HUGE and very impressively sized. It sort of reminded me of perfect mountain lion territory, actually. With large, mossy boulders towering all around you, and the mountains within site. I was in a slight state of paranoia, looking around and thinking how easy it would be to eat me.
For some reason, I must have missed the cairn garden, but I think that would have made for an interesting picture. Initially, I meant to take the shorter 2 mile loop, but considering I was on the trail for several hours, I’m pretty sure I went the whole way (5 miles?).
Despite the dry lake bed, you could see some interesting things in the lake. Like huge boulders with definite water lines going up quiet far, as well as shrubbery and trees that seem to thrive in the dryer months and hold on for dear life when the snow melts. I would come back here in the summer, though I’m sure it’ll be swamped with tourists and photographers. You can find hundreds of beautiful pictures of the lake reflecting Half Dome.
Tips:
The bathrooms flanking this trail are DISGUSTING. Those deep, immersive porta potties that have no light, I might add, where the entire room is cloaked in twilight when the door shuts. You’ll want to have your phone handy for light, and hand sanitizer to scrub your mitts clean.
Also, forget about putting a jacket on the floor or a hook, because the floor is (understandably) filthy and there aren’t any jacket/​purse hooks.

While most people do the 2 mile loop (roundtrip to lake and back), I highly recommend doing the 5 mile loop! It’s flat and easy and you lose the crowd which means there’s a higher possibility of seeing wildlife. We saw 4 deer during our stroll and it was truly humbling.

Past the outhouse at the lake’s shore, as you’re coming up the paved road (accessible by car for most of the way for those with with blue placards), continue on the trail to the left and watch for a turn up some stone steps. Viola! You’ve come to an unofficial cairn garden. Looks like people have been building their stone stacks for some time all over this clearing. It is amazing because there are LOTS of ‘em! See others’ posted pictures.
Doggies allowed on the paved road right up to but not past the lake outhouse.

Super easy, flat, relaxing hike in Yosemite. My son and I had just come down from Vernal Falls and figured we’d go explore near Mirror Lake. We took the shuttle from stop 16 to 17 as it was our first trip to Yosemite and we didn’t realize just how close most things in the valley were since we hadn’t explored during the day.
Our shuttle driver mentioned «what’s left of Mirror Lake» and I guess I missed this comment because my son mentioned a few minutes into our walk that we wouldn’t be seeing much of a lake, I insisted sure we would and he told me what the driver had said. I told him he must have been saying we need to take a Left. Oh no! Mirror Lake was more of a puddle. In fact, we walked throughout where it would have been had there been water. It was definitely more of a sandy beach.
It was still a lovely little walk and great for little ones since it’s a short distance and flat. I look forward to returning during other seasons to see it in all it’s glory ;)

1. We hiked from the Ahwahnee Hotel on the trail behind the valet’s parking lot. This is a dirt trail going around huge boulders, and eventually merging with the bike trail leading to the paved Mirror lake trail.
2. There is a restroom at the junction of these two trails, but the lock on one of the bathrooms didn’t lock, so knock before entering!
3. You can also get to the Mirror Lake trail head using the free Valley shuttle stopping at the #17 stop just after the #16 stop at the Mist trail.
4. From the trail head to the Lake is no more than a mile on an very wide paved road. Cars with handicap plates may drive up to edge of the Lake. The paved road has a very gradual upward incline until the last curve before the lake.
5. Here the paved road becomes very steep. Not wheelchair accessible here, but I’ve seen many a strollers pushed up to the Lake. There is a sign about 200 yards short of Lake, requiring rental bicycles to be stop at the bike rack.
6. At the lake edge is another set of restrooms. There is a sign prohibiting all bicycles and dogs from entering the dirt trail. Walk another 100 yards, and you reach the site where everyone takes pictures of people on top of the square stone at the waters edge.
7. Today, Monday March 17,2014 at 10am, the whole area is in the shade, with little or no reflection from the mountain walls on the lake.
8. We decide to hike around the lake. The hike is pretty easy as it is level. At the half way mark, one will come to a bridge crossing the fast moving stream. Afterwards the trail disintegrates into a watery swampy area, full of fallen trees, before reaching the landslide region.
9. The landslide region is a stark contrast to the surrounding forests. The entire area is filled with huge boulders and stones. However the trail has been cleared of obstacles.
10. Continuing on wards, and you come to the lake again. However you can’t cross the lake, as the water is flowing too rapidly in this day in March.
11. We hike completely around the lake to the roadway, and then hike back up to the picture site with the single boulder. By 1pm the setting is in the sun. Everyone crowds around waiting in line to take shots of their friends clowning on the boulder.
12. This year the lake level is definitely shallower than in the past years, when water surrounded the solitary rock. Come back in late June, and the lake will become a pond full of waterplants. And by late July you will be able to walk on the lake bed.
13. We hike back to the walking trail next to the bike trail, and hike back to the Ahwahnee. The entire hike was 7.5 miles, taking 3.5 hours.
14. I have been told that in past years, the park service dredged the Lake of silt. However there has now been a change of policy, deciding to let nature take it’s course, and let the silt accumulate year after year. Eventually the water level will decrease with each successive year, with the Lake become shallower and shallower. So you should definitely see the lake while it is still a mirror lake.

The trailhead starts at shuttle stop 17. You have two options: (1) a paved road closed to non-​park vehicles or (2) a trail that runs along the opposite side of Tenaya Creek. It’s about 1 mile either way.
The bang for your buck factor depends on how much, if any, water is in Mirror «lake.» In the summer, there will be none. In the spring, how much water will depend on the snow melt. This year, there was not a lot of water, and there was no mirror effect.
Even without water, it’s still worth doing, though, and its a short hike most people can do with relative ease.

You could park the car on Curry Village #15 and take the shuttle to #17 for Mirror Lake. It’s about 1.25 mile if you want to walk
This trail is easy paved trail along the water steam. Trail is between tall big trees which give nice cool shade. This in and out hike
A lot of bikers so watch out for them
Dog could be on the trail w/​leash.
But Dog and bike are not allow on trail at Mirror Lake
A lot of water on lake at end of April, when the ice /​snow melted
2 bathrooms stop
Take shuttle and get off at #20 back to Curry Village Parking a lot. If you parking trail head parking a lot (between #15 to 16), get off at #19 shuttle stop and walk about 5 min to parking a lot

In the spring, Mirror Lake is beautiful. In the late summer, Mirror Lake is a pile of dust. During my annual camping trips to the Valley, I’ve made it a daily ritual to take a run up to the Lake and back — it’s a very easy 2-​mile trip, easier if you’re on a bike. The free shuttle will even get you to the trailhead, so you can really recreate the John Muir experience. ;-)
The most interesting part of Mirror Lake is its history — it’s the remaining remnant of the large glacial lake that used to fill the entire Valley, and is slowly disappearing as sediment fills it in. Back in the early tourism days of Yosemite, there used to be a large lodge that people would come out in party in. Gone are those days, but it’s still the best place to stand and wondrously stare up the face of Half Dome.
If you’re bringing your bikini, you’re gonna be bummed because the water is COLD. Snow melt, actually, so no wonder. It’s still a good place for the kids to splash around, and there are interesting historical placards set up around an easy loop along the Lake. If you head deeper in toward the Snow Creek Trail, you’ll see what the 2009 Ahwiyah Point rockfall left behind — huge piles of boulders and crushed trees. Pretty neat.
Definitely worth the stroll if you’re there in winter, spring, and early summer. If you’re hard to please, late summer and autumn are probably a pass, but it’s pretty cool to see how the park changes through each season. Just go.

Literally, it’s Mirror Lake. Really beautiful.
I went there by running from the campsite on the first day of backpacking. I got up really early before my company woke up. So I went to Mirror Lake. Because it was super early morning, nobody on the trail or lake. So quiet and beautiful. I felt like I was only in the world.