Hiking to Yosemite’s Mirror Lake in Winter
Winter in Yosemite National Park is a magical time to visit, and this week I’m excited to partner with Visit Yosemite | Madera County as we head out on a Yosemite Valley hike I’ve actually shared with you before. However, it’s an entirely different experience in the snowy season. Join me in a winter-wonderland along the family-friendly trail to Mirror Lake.
Yosemite’s Mirror Lake below Half Dome in Winter
Location
The official Mirror Lake Trail begins at Shuttle Stop #17. However, limited Winter service and road access can make the Curry Village shuttle stop and parking area the easiest point to begin your hike (adding about a 1/2 mile to the journey). Located along Tenaya Creek, Mirror Lake is a seasonal body of water which can completely disappear during the dry Summer and Fall months. As the creek swells in Winter and Spring, a large reflective pool forms at the base of Half Dome at the far east side of Yosemite Valley where it connects with the infamous Tenaya Canyon, “the Bermuda Triangle of Yosemite”...but don’t worry, we won’t be venturing that far today 😉
FAST FACTS
Distance: 2 miles RT to lake & back
(5 miles RT loop around lake)
Elevation: 100 feet
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Mirror Lake & Mount Watkins in Yosemite during Winter
Mirror Lake History
It is believed this lake is a last remnant of large glacial lake that once filled the Valley. The native Ahwahnechee people named the lake Ahwiyah, meaning “quiet waters” long before they were driven out of the area when Mirror Lake was developed for tourists in the mid-1800s. Believe it or not, there was a boathouse, a dance hall, cabins, and a dam developed to make this lake bigger during the first tourist push here in the early 1900s. Over time the NPS has removed the manmade structures in an effort to return Mirror Lake to its previous natural state.
Mirror Lake Trail in Yosemite National Park
Trail to Mirror Lake
A one-mile paved service road acts as the Winter trail, leading directly to Mirror Lake. There are multiple signs with mile markers along the trail, making it easy to follow even during the Winter months. Less than a 1/2 mile into this hike, you cross Tenaya Creek Bridge, and Winter is the perfect time to see the water really flowing here. Exhibit panels along the path share important information about this area and its history. Mirror Lake is located at the end of the paved service road path, which is where you’ll find more informative panels, restrooms, and incredible views of Half Dome & Mount Watkins.
Mirror Lake Trail crossing Tenaya Creek Bridge
Mirror Lake Loop in Winter
The loop trail around Mirror Lake starts at the end of the paved service road and follows Tenaya Creek beyond the lake. It crosses two bridges after the Snow Creek Trail junction before returning past Mirror Lake on the south side of the canyon. It’s important to note that, other than the bridges, there is no official safe access to cross from one side to the other side of the lake. The trail is open year-round, but in Winter it can be very icy and snow covered, especially along the south side of Tenaya Creek...so it’s important to watch carefully for slick conditions along this section. With minimal natural barriers to hold onto or to brace yourself, it is fairly easy to slip and fall. Much of the south side of the trail can remain covered in snow and ice during Winter, even when the north side of the loop is snow-free...hiking with snow cleats/spikes and hiking poles is highly recommended. When snowy conditions exist, consider making an out and back trip along the north side of the loop if you’re not fully prepared for ice and snow.
Half Dome over Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park
Mirror Lake Throughout the Year
Mirror Lake is actually more of a seasonal pool of water that forms from Tenaya Creek with the snowmelt. In late Spring you’ll find this lake at its fullest, making it a popular swimming hole for tourists as temperatures begin to rise. However, by Fall it’s often dried up with sand and tall grass, turning it into more of a meadow. In fact, Mirror Lake has little water much of the year, giving it the nickname “Mirror Meadow” during the Summer and Fall months. For details on what this spot looks like in Summer, see my full blog post here, as well as my “Dog Friendly Mirror Lake” YouTube video here.
Dry Mirror Lake during late Summer in Yosemite
Mount Watkins reflects in Mirror Lake during Winter in Yosemite National Park
Know Before You Go
• The Travel Alerts page on YosemiteThisYear.com is a great resource to reference prior to any Yosemite trip. There you’ll find up-to-date park information, road conditions, and links to everything you might need while preparing for your trip.
• Drinking water is not available along the trail, however toilets and trash receptacles can be found at the end of the paved service road next to the lake.
• Please stay on the marked trail path. This is especially important during Winter and Spring when water levels are rising. When hiking on the south side of the loop, hikers often spot what appears to be an easy way to rock-hop across Tenaya Creek, either just for fun, or as a way to shortcut the loop and rejoin the trail without doing the entire loop. While this crossing is only ankle deep at first, it quickly becomes thigh deep, and all too often hikers have been swept into dangerous whitewater and pinned against rocks. Don’t be tempted to leave the trail, and always remember to look at the conditions downstream when approaching moving water.
• Watch the full NPS preventive search and rescue/swiftwater videos to learn more about past experiences visitors had in this area of the park.
• Leashed pets, bicycles, and strollers are allowed on the first paved mile of the trail, but may not continue beyond this point onto the unpaved trail around the lake. Keep your food within arm's reach at all times and do not feed the wildlife. Carry out all trash and food waste (fruit peels, shells, etc.).
• Always remember to adventure within your own skill and comfort level here. Even the easiest hike can become unexpectedly challenging during flooding rains or after a heavy Winter storm. It’s important to always plan ahead and come prepared when enjoying this incredible National Park.
• Always check the NPS website prior to visiting Yosemite for road closures, weather information, up-to-date park information, and visiting guidelines.
• Please remember to respect the local plant & animal life here – take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip. Please help leave this special place better than you found it, so its natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
Top 10 Yosemite Valley Winter Attractions
Yosemite Valley Chapel
Mirror Lake
Curry Village Ice Rink
Bridalveil Fall
Tenaya Creek seen from Mirror Lake Trail
In Summary & Post Sponsor
Thanks so much for joining me this week in Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of Mirror Lake during Winter, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here.
I’d like to give a special thank you to the sponsor of this post, Visit Yosemite | Madera County. Please consider stopping off to support the small businesses and local economies of the gateway communities surrounding the park. For great information on what to do inside Yosemite National Park and in Madera County directly to the south (along Highway 41), check out YosemiteThisYear.com and @yosemitemadera on Instagram. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Half Dome over Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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