With a fresh perspective looking up at Half Dome directly from its base, you'll be rewarded with views of Tenaya Canyon, Mount Watkins, Washington Column, and more. While pleasant at any time of year, Mirror Lake is fullest in spring and early summer. When water is calm, the lake offers beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs. Mirror Lake is often referred to as Mirror Meadow in late summer due to the lack of water.
This hike features views of Half Dome, Tenaya Canyon, Mount Watkins, and Washington Column. While pleasant at any time of year, Mirror Lake typically only has water in spring and early summer. When water is calm, the lake offers beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs, creating the mirror effect for which the area is named. In late summer and fall, the dry lake bed becomes a meadow. The first mile of this trail is a paved service road that leads directly to Mirror Lake. You may access the loop trail from the end of the paved path. The loop follows Tenaya Creek beyond the lake, and crosses two bridges after the Snow Creek Trail junction before returning past Mirror Lake on the south side of Tenaya Canyon. There is no safe access to the north side of Mirror Lake directly from the south side of the loop. Distance: 2 mi (3.2 km) round-trip Elevation: 100 ft (30 m) Time estimate: about 1 hour Route variation: consider hiking the full loop past Mirror Lake and around Tenaya Creek for a longer, 2-3 hour hike. The loop is approximately 4.5 mi (7.2 km) with minimal elevation gain. Tips & Seasonal Information Vault toilets are available about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the trailhead and also at Mirror Lake. There is no drinking water at the trailhead or along the trail. Leashed pets, bicycles, and strollers are allowed on the first paved mile of the trail. Beyond that, they are prohibited. The south side of this loop can be slick, muddy, or flooded during winter and early spring. In winter and spring, consider avoiding this area and hiking an out and back trip along the north side of the loop. Caution: During spring and early summer, when water levels are highest, entering the water can be dangerous. Accessibility A one-mile road, from the Mirror Lake shuttle stop, leads to Mirror Lake and is easy to walk due to its paved surface. The last 1,000 feet of the trail up to the lake is on a slope from 6.6 percent to 10.6 percent. Vehicles with a disability placard are permitted to drive up to 15 mph, with hazard lights on, to Mirror Lake. Be cautious as the road is shared with bicyclists and hikers. There are two designated accessible parking spaces available.