Mirror Lake Day Hike

Yosemite National Park

Mirror Lake is one of the most popular walking destinations in Yosemite Valley. The lake is at its best in spring and early summer when it is full and the lower part of the lake can offer wonderful reflections of the surrounding granite cliffs. By late summer and fall it can be nearly dry. The charm of this day hike is strolling along the trail through the trees, enjoying the granite formations, the thick moss on the rocks, and grand arching trees.

Mirror Lake Trailhead

The Mirror Lake Trailhead is along the Happy Isles Loop Road, open only to shuttle buses. Foot trails also lead to the trailhead. Campers at North Pines Campground are close enough to walk to the Mirror Lake Trail. Also, many visitors choose to ride bicycles. Bicycles may be ridden up the first mile to Mirror Lake on the paved road. A bike rack is provided part way up the road so cyclists can leave their bikes and continue on foot.

The most common way to reach the trailhead is to park at Curry Village and ride the free shuttle bus around, getting off at stop #17. There are no facilities at the trailhead and water is not available anywhere on the hike. Restrooms are available up the trail.

Mirror Lake Trail

Most visitors choose the 2-mile round-trip to Mirror Lake on a wide, paved road (closed to vehicles). More adventurous hikers favor a moderately difficult 5-mile loop that continues upstream beyond the lake another 1¼-miles before crossing a bridge and returning down the other side of Tenaya Creek.

Those choosing the most direct route stay on the paved road, following it across a bridge over Tenaya Creek. The road continues along the north side of the creek all the way to Mirror Lake. Restrooms are available ½ mile from the trailhead and again 1 mile from the trailhead. Bicycles, leashed pets, and strollers are allowed on the first mile of the road, but beyond that they are not permitted.

5 Mile Mirror Lake Loop

The 5-mile loop up Tenaya Creek and past Mirror Lake is a beautiful hike of moderate difficulty. Once you take the trail from the trailhead, rather than the road, you are on the loop. Hike 2½ miles up the canyon to a foot bridge, passing Mirror Lake on the way. Attempting to cross Tenaya Creek at Mirror Lake is very dangerous. Once across the bridge, the trail swings to the southwest and leads back to Mirror Lake.

Choosing either direction in the loop works equally well. If you are not sure you want to do the whole loop, heading up the paved road to Mirror Lake first makes the most sense.