We do a fair amount of pretty extreme hikes on this site, but now and then it’s nice to take a nice leisurely stroll! That’s exactly what this is. Mirror Lake in Yosemite Valley is an easy, flat, and super scenic hike that anyone can do, and it still gives awesome Yosemite views!
Yosemite Valley is obviously a one of a kind place in the entire world, but anyone who has been there can tell you it’s often overrun with tourists. Now, I don’t think that should be a mark against Yosemite, not to mention you are a part of those tourists, but it can put a damper on the incredible landscapes around you. This hike is particularly great because it is the only easy hike in Yosemite Valley that gets you away from the crowds, and into a more secluded part of the valley!
Miles/Elevation:
6.1 miles
337 feet vertical gain
About Yosemite:
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in the entire National Park System.
Steeped in history, Yosemite has played a major role in the development of environmentalism and conservation in the United States since the late 1800’s. In 1864, President Lincoln created the Yosemite Grant, which did not make Yosemite a national park, but did set the precedent that would lead to the creation of Yellowstone National Park.
Yosemite was ceded to the State of California and ran by the state for much of the late 1800’s. Eventually, in 1890, Yosemite National Park was created, and stronger protections were put in place to preserve the park.
Beyond the National Park Service, the legendary naturalist John Muir is perhaps best known for his advocacy in favor of preserving Yosemite National Park. A giant in the history of conservation, Muir, who fell in love with the mountains after a serious industrial accident, became arguably the most influential figure in preserving the natural landscapes of the west. His relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt and the expansion of federally protected lands may be the greatest achievement of this era of conservation!
Getting To Yosemite:
Located in Central California, Yosemite is fairly remote, but can be reached from a number of major cities. The closest large city is Fresno, and Fresno’s airport is the best choice if you are flying in. Other cities located within a three hour or so drive with major airports include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento.
From these cities or any others, you’ll then likely need to drive to the park. There is a regional public transit system called YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit System), and can be useful if you are trying to get to Yosemite Valley. However, I generally advocate having your own car when exploring the mountains. It just makes it easier to explore and get around.
Once you’re in Yosemite, there is a transit system that can get you around the park, however it is not running in 2021. Go to the Yosemite NPS website for more information on public transit in Yosemite. When it is running, the public transit can get you to many of the major trailheads in the park.
See The Rest Of Yosemite’s 10 Best Easy Hikes Here!
Getting To The Trailhead:
The trailhead for the Mirror Lake Trail is in the heart of Yosemite Valley. Pretty much all the major roads that go through the park eventually take you to Yosemite Valley, so if you don’t know how to get there just follow the signs! Once in the valley, head towards the far end past Curry Village. There should either be signs for Curry Village, or for the Half Dome, John Muir, or Mirror Lake Trailhead.
Near the base of Half Dome and Glacier Point, the actual trail starts near Happy Isles, and the best place to park is at Curry Village. Parking here does fill up by mid-morning, so be sure to arrive early if you want convenient parking. You can also park at the visitor center or Yosemite Village, but you’ll have a bit of a walk to the trail. This is a super convenient trail if you’re camping in the valley as you basically start at the campgrounds!
Mirror Lake via the Valley Loop Trail:
To Mirror Lake:
The actual trailhead for Mirror Lake is on Happy Isles Loop Road, which was closed when we were there. It may be open sometimes, but as far as I know, you will need to park at Curry Village or somewhere further to access the trail.
Consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass if you’re visiting Yosemite!
We were forced to park at the visitor center near Yosemite Village as the Curry Village parking lot was full. Since we were up here, we decided to check out Lower Yosemite Falls first! From the visitor center, it was maybe ¾ of a mile to the Lower Falls. It was a super busy paved trail, but it was a cool view which I hadn’t seen before. From here, it was a mile long walk to Curry Village along park sidewalks!
From Curry Village, the hike really starts. A map is good to have for this hike as there are a lot of roads and intersecting trails; it can definitely be a little confusing! Essentially, you’ll cross the bridge over the Merced River near the campgrounds, and then eventually turn left to continue the hike.
You’ll have a choice at this point. There are two ways to get to Mirror Lake. The first is to continue on the road which will be on the left side of Tenaya Creek. The second is to turn onto a trail which travels up the right side of Tenaya Creek. We decided to take the trail as walking on roads is generally less fun. It is a loop, so be aware you’ll likely be coming back on whatever you don’t choose now!
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
Once on the path, it’s about ¾ of a mile to Mirror Lake. The trail here makes for nice walk, if it isn’t especially spectacular. The trail is wooded and shaded, and you will get occasional views of the valley walls and Tenaya Creek. The trail is wide and smooth, so you should make good time.
After not too long, you will arrive at Mirror Lake. Just a heads up, so you aren’t too disappointed, Mirror Lake is only a lake in the spring and possibly winter when snow is melting and water is high. When we went in June, the water was low, and it was a small creek. You’ll get a decent view across the valley at least!
Up The Valley:
Most people get to Mirror Lake and turn around, but to me the best part of the trail is the more remote next section. The trail continues up the valley, and from here traffic really decreases, and the trail goes from wide and well trodden to a bit less obvious.
You’re in bear country, so be sure to always be bear safe!
The trail is primarily wooded, but you will travel through open meadows, areas of rockfall, and marshy sections of trail. Looking up, you’ll have near continual awesome views of Half Dome and the other features of Yosemite Valley’s walls!
A mile and a quarter from Mirror Lake, you’ll reach the turn around point of the trail. The trail basically hits the end of Yosemite Valley, and then turns as a bridge crosses Tenaya Creek. I think this is a really cool spot. You get a nice little waterfall, views looking down the valley, and quiet! We only saw one other person on this entire portion of the trail! Incredible for Yosemite Valley!
Hiking Out:
From the bridge at the end of the valley, you have a choice of either returning via the way you came or completing the loop down the other side of Tenaya Creek. To me there’s no reason not to complete the loop since it takes you to the same place, is also flat, and gives you new views.
The trail starts off heavily wooded. It gave me a sort of fantasy-esque vibe. I don’t know why, but it really felt like I was in the Lord of the Rings! It was quiet, the forest was still, there were seemingly ancient stone steps covered in pine needles, honestly a cool place to hike through!
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
The trail passes the turn off for the Snow Creek Trail (a super tough climb up out of the valley) and continues down Tenaya Creek. About a mile after this turn off you arrive back at Mirror Lake, this time on the other side.
This other side of Mirror Lake was much busier than the side we hiked up. My best guess for the reason is that it’s more accessible, you can walk or bike up the road to get here. Plus, there was more of a beach to hang out at, and a great view of Half Dome looking across the creek. This would have been a great place to hang out for an afternoon, and I would definitely come back with a cooler and a chair!
Be Sure To Check Out Our Full 7 Day Yosemite Itinerary Too!
From Mirror Lake, it’s an easy walk back to Curry Village along the road. If you had to park somewhere else like we did, you actually don’t need to return to Curry Village. There are paved paths that will take you directly to Yosemite Village, so definitely check for a shorter route!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 8/10
This is a very good easy hike. It’s not particularly exciting, and you do spend a lot of time walking on pavement. However, the excellent views make up for it! A trail like this most places would be forgettable, but since it is in such an incredible setting, the views alone make this better than the vast majority of six mile hikes.
If you are fit enough, there are tons of other hikes in Yosemite I would recommend before this one, but if you aren’t fit enough to tackle some of the more difficult ones, this still gets you great Yosemite views! And even if you are in good shape, this makes for a great recovery hike after an especially tough one (we did this after the Yosemite Grand Tour)!
Pros:
- Great views
- Smooth, well graded, trail
- Good for picnics or relaxing
- Way less busy than other hikes in Yosemite Valley
Cons:
- No exciting hiking
- Mirror Lake can be underwhelming
- A lot of road/pavement walking
Alternative Hikes:
Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Trail
When To Visit Yosemite:
Read Our Complete Guide To All Things Yosemite!
Hiking in Yosemite is a three season activity. Winter usually brings quite a bit of snow, and the entire park is liable to experience winter storms. While lower elevation areas of the park may be hikable in winter, I really wouldn’t say Yosemite is a four season hiking destination.
Purely in terms of weather, fall and spring are the best times of year to hike in Yosemite. Summer can get extremely hot, and hiking in 95 degree heat isn’t fun for most people! The one issue with fall is that fire season can either close down areas of the park, or more likely will blanket the park with smoke. In good years, it’s hardly an issue, but some years it’s harmful to even be outside.
It is also worth considering when Yosemite is busiest. This is one of the busiest parks in the country, so be ready for crowds if you visit in peak season, namely summer. Some people are really turned off by the crowds, and I agree if you only visit the valley, but there are always places to get away from the big crowds. This can cause issues with finding campsites in the park though.
Overall, I would say that late spring is probably the best time of year to visit Yosemite. The temperatures are comfortable, rain is rare, and the crowds are lighter than summer. Late autumn is also a great time to visit as spring may still have snow lingering on the trails.
The last thing to consider when planning your visit is that the high elevation roads through the park close for snow. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road both close from winter to whenever the snow melts (usually May or June but it varies). Spring will limit where you can go in the park, so if you really want to explore the high country, wait at least until late June!
Links For Further Reading:
Best trails in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park (US National Park Service)
Yosemite National Park | Lodging & Year Round Activities | TravelYosemite.com
Yosemite National Park | Lodging, Camping, Attractions | Yosemite.com
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