CALIFORNIA

 Distance: 2 miles round trip from Shuttle Stop 17, 5 miles loop around the lake

Elevation Gain/Loss: 100 ft.

Difficulty: Easy, just imagine a 100 ft change in elevation in a mile.

Half Dome from Lower Pool of Mirror Lake

The trailhead to Mirror Lake begins at Shuttle Stop 17, however, if you plan to hike from Curry Village, just add 1.5 miles to your hike. From shuttle stop 17, there is half mile walk on the paved road alongside the river

towards the lower pool of the lake.

From the lower pool of the lake, there is a dirt trail that leads towards the main pool.

Mirror Lakes are not true lakes, but shallow pools along Tenaya Creek. Mirror Lake has very little water much of the year, or maybe actually a meadow much of the year. But during spring and early summer, the lake grows in size.

Mirror Lake is the biggest swimming hole in Yosemite Valley, so expect a big crowd having fun in this lake. The water actually is cold during early summer, but still, it does not stop people, especially kids from having fun. When water is calm, the lake offer beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs.

Unfortunately, when we were there, there were a lot of kids swimming creating ripples in the water that it was almost impossible for us to take some reflection photos. We can manage to get a small reflection,

but not as clear and crisp had the water been more calm.

Deer Resting on the shore of Mirror Lake