Hike Mirror Lake Trail (Yosemite)

As one of the few hikes that are flat in Yosemite, the Mirror Lake Trail takes you on a scenic loop around the popular swimming hole and Tenaya Creek. Mirror Lake is very popular, and you can expect crowds at the beginning of the hike. But after that, you should have most of the trail to yourself as you meander through Tenaya Valley, gazing up at views of Half Dome, North Dome, and Mt Watkins. This guide has a short 2 mile option to Mirror Lake and back, and also a very doable 5 mile loop up  peaceful Tenaya Valley.

Where Is the Mirror Lake Trail?

The Mirror Lake Trailhead is in the eastern part of Yosemite Valley. You can walk there from Curry Village and the parking lots around it, but your best bet is to take the free green shuttle bus to stop 17, Mirror Lake Trailhead, which will take you right to the start of the hike.

Use this trailhead address:
Mirror Lake Trailhead (#17), Yosemite Valley, CA, 95389

Gear For the Hike

I recommend hiking gear for the loop hike, but you can get away with fitness clothing too. If you're doing the short hike, casual clothing is fine. The trail is easy to follow but has rocky sections; hiking boots or shoes will serve you well on the loop hike. If you do the loop hike, bring at least 1L of water.

Essentials I’m Using Now

• Garmin inReach Mini 2: Reliable SOS Everywhere on Earth
• Sawyer + CNOC Water Filter: Easy & Reliable Safe Water
• Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: Running late? Get home safe
• Altra Olympus 275: Favorite trail shoes right now, no blisters and very comfy.
• AllTrails Plus (30% off): Offline maps on your phone with the Plus level
• Full November 2025 Gear List →

Mirror Lake Trail Maps

The first part of the hike to the lake is easy to follow, and there is a paved and unpaved option. The loop hike takes the Valley Loop Trail and heads into a much more tranquil area of the park. All of the trails on the hike are easy to follow and relatively flat. There are some small ups and downs along the way, but no hills or climbs.

Click to activate map

Print Map, Work With It Yourself

View Hike on CalTopo

Bring the Guide to Any GPS

Download the GPX File

Hike Brief

• Mirror Lake is not actually a lake, it's just a wider part of Tenaya Creek, which comes all the way down from Tenaya Lake. In the spring, fresh snowmelt can make it unsafe. Late spring and early summer are the best times for a dip; the water is calm and peaceful. In the late summer and fall the water (and lake) disappear and it becomes known as "Mirror Meadow."
• The hike brings you in between Half Dome and North Dome. Artists and photographers often come to Mirror Lake to capture the reflections of the domes on the water.
• The famous photographer Ansel Adams was hired in 1931 by the park to create photos used to sell to tourists and promote the park. But that relationship ended in 1938 when his photo of Mirror Lake (above) came out in a book called The Four Seasons in Yosemite National Park, which Adams did not know about and was not paid royalties for. Adams successfully sued and recovered damages.
• In the 1860s when Yosemite first gained popularity, the whole area around Mirror Lake was developed. There was a boa house, a dance hall, a toll road, and an artificial dam to make the lake bigger. Over the years, the park service removed these humanmade structures to restore Mirror Lake to its natural state.

Mirror Lake Trail Hike Directions

If you are just doing the short hike to the lake, turn around and go back the way you came. Otherwise, go back to the trail and continue in the same direction that you were going before.

The Ahwiyah Point rockfall was believed to happen from temperature extremes. Hot days after a cold stretch heated and expanded the rock quickly. It's thought that the rapid heating expands the granite and spontaneously breaks it apart. This video shows it happening; go to 0:35 for the major action.