Hiking to Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park
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Resting near the mouth of Yosemite’s rugged Tenaya Canyon is idyllic Mirror Lake. This is a classic Yosemite day hike, one full of history, beauty, and tourists. A short, easy hike will take visitors to Mirror Lake, where raging Tenaya Creek pools into a calm scene, beset on all sides by incredible views. Put this one on your hiking bucket list, because it is worth it for any hiker, advanced or beginning.
Though I have visited Yosemite many times throughout my life, I have never taken the opportunity to hike to Mirror Lake. As I am now living in the Valley, I decided that now would be a better time than ever to see what Mirror Lake was all about. Complete with pictures, quips, and run on sentences, I bring you a detailed account of my own Mirror Lake Hike.
Stats-The Hike
Difficulty: Pretty dang easy, perhaps the easiest in all of Yosemite.
Distance: 2 miles, out and back.
Elevation Gain: 200 feet, or so.
Best Time to Hike?: Late Spring to Fall. The winter sees the Mirror Lake trail choked with snow.
Are Dogs Allowed?: Probably not.
Mirror Lake History-from the Ice Age to the Present
The Story of Mirror Lake marks a footnote in Yosemite’s geologic past. For the sake of brevity, Ice Age Glaciers scoured out Tenaya Canyon. In their wake, sediment filled the valley floor. Tenaya Creek decided that it would be a nice stop to pool up, take a break, and maybe enchant a few day hikers. Thus, Mirror Lake was born.
The first people to inhabit Yosemite Valley-the Ahwaneechee, were active around Mirror Lake. Bracken Fern grew nearby, and it’s roots were harvested to weave ornate patterns into baskets. The Ahwaneechee knew Mirror Lake as Ahwiyeh, meaning “quiet water”. This was one of many indigenous place names found throughout the Yosemite region. Other, notable ones include Tis-sa-ack, today more popularly known as Half Dome.
Later, after the Ahwaneechee were kicked out by Euro-Americans, Mirror Lake became center stage of Yosemite’s early tourism scene. Cabins, Restaurants, and even a dance floor were built, right on the lake side. Tourists loved the placid scene, stood over with a kick butt view of Half Dome’s iconic face.
In an attempt to make Mirror Lake even more Mirror-er, boulders were moved to dam Tenaya Creek. Irony, of course, follows boulders wherever they may go. This move only allowed more sediment to collect in Mirror Lake, causing it to shrink. The lake was regularly dredged to curb this effect, right up until the National Park Service ended the practice in 1971. Since then, Mirror Lake’s water and sediment levels are left untampered. It is probably best to let Mother Nature do as she wishes.
Some say that Mirror lake is doomed to shrink. In wet years, the lake persists. In dry years, Mirror Lake lessens to a trickle. As it turns out, Mirror Lake’s water and sediment levels regularly fluctuate with the seasons. Due to the impact of human activity, the high sediment levels may be irreversible.
The Hike
The Mirror Lake Trailhead is best reached by taking the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle. Get on the shuttle at any stop, and depart at shuttle stop 17. The trail splits at this point. Hikers have the option to go right, taking a dirt trail, or to go left, and follow the road. Both choices are scenic, pleasant, and easy. If you feel like it, both trails eventually loop around, but that necessitates more miles of hiking beyond Mirror Lake.
I hiked both, and found that I prefer the left trail option. Follow the road, and you’ll find that there are bathrooms, along with plenty of interpretive signage that explain cool facts about the lake. At the water’s edge, the view of Mirror Lake is framed by Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Mt. Watkins, and Tenaya Canyon. It was incredibly beautiful, even on my grey, rainy hike.
Be aware that the Mirror Lake hike gets very crowded. It is so popular, it has its own shuttle stop. Expect to share the trail with families, dogs, and backpackers. Don’t let the crowds deter you, though. For shy people (like me), I’ve found it best to just punch in headphones, put on a podcast, and hike on my merry way.
2019 has been a very rainy Spring for Yosemite, resulting in mud and puddles throughout the trail. Be aware of these, as well as tripping hazards and rocks throughout the trail. The trail was so wet in some parts, that you might think you’d be hiking through Mirror Lake itself. Make no mistake, for the beauty to behold is just a few short turns upstream.
After Mirror Lake, the trail continues. To where, I cannot say. Presumably to parts unknown. Maybe Vegas. I hiked up a little further, stopping to enjoy an orange beside the creek. It was time to turn back, and seek out warm coffee at the Ahwa- uh, I mean Majestic Yosemite Hotel.
To return, simply follow the trail back the way you came, until you reach the shuttle stop. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, there are numerous opportunities to take alternative trails to other Yosemite Valley destinations, such as Campgrounds, or Yosemite Falls.
On my way back to the shuttle, it started to downpour. Families were huddled under umbrellas, moving as slow as a funeral procession. A funeral procession dressed in bright colored down jackets and hiking boots. The shuttle stop had dozens of people packed under it’s roof, desperately waiting to jam themselves into a crowded shuttle. Best wait for a sunny, dry day to hike this one.
Conclusion
Mirror Lake is the most tranquil, pleasant hike in all of Yosemite Valley. Though this hike is considered easy, don’t underestimate it. My shuttle driver let us know that Mirror Lake is the hardest of Yosemite’s easy hikes. Still, the calm, forest scene, framed by monumental Yosemite landmarks, makes for an unforgettable outing. It is the perfect place to have a picnic, and to simply enjoy the beauty of Yosemite. I am glad that I finally found the time to get to Mirror Lake, and I highly recommend that you do as well.
Related: If you are in Yosemite for a chill, relaxed hiking experience, check out other easy Yosemite hiking trails like Sentinel Dome, or Taft Point.
Need Gear?
Mirror Lake may be a short and pleasant hike, but it is important to make sure that you’re well prepared. Don’t make the mistake of getting caught up in a rainstorm without any rain gear, like I did. Instead, check out our List of Essential Day Hiking Gear. Whether you need footwear, headlamps, or a First Aid Kit, let our experience be your guide to finding the best stuff for your trail.
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