Mirror Lake
4,100 ft | 1 trails | California
4,100 ft
1 routes
Easy
Partial route shown. The 5 mi distance and 65 ft of gain for this hike are verified, but public trail data currently maps only part of the route — the line below is incomplete. Carry an official map and don't navigate from this track alone.
About Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is a 4,100-foot destination in California. The Mirror Lake Loop covers 5.0 miles (loop) with about 100 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.
The Route
Along the way the route passes a spring (Iron Spring) near mile 0.45, a cave (Indian Cave) near mile 0.65 — useful checkpoints for judging your pace.
Getting There
The trailhead is at 37.73978, -119.55985 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 125 miles south of Reno, Nevada. Parking: Mirror Lake parking or shuttle stop. Fee: $35 park entrance.
When to Go
Late May through October is the main season. Snow and ice linger into spring and return early in fall at this latitude and elevation; in winter this becomes a different, more serious undertaking requiring traction devices and warm layers.
Know Before You Go
The Easy rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 2.5 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains and a saved route works offline in any GPS app. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from National Park Service - Yosemite.
Looking to link objectives or plan a weekend? Nearby summits include Half Dome, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall — each has its own guide on this site.
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Check Current Conditions
Trail conditions change frequently. Check the official land manager's site (linked under Data Sources on this page) and the NWS forecast before your hike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike Mirror Lake?
The Mirror Lake Loop is 5.0 miles as a loop with about 100 feet of elevation gain, and most hikers take roughly 2.5 hours of moving time. Add time for breaks and conditions — winter or wet weather can double the trip.
How hard is the Mirror Lake hike?
It's rated Easy using the National Park Service difficulty formula (5.0 miles as a loop, 100 ft of gain — about 0 ft of climbing per mile). The elevation profile on this page shows exactly where the steep sections fall.
Where is the Mirror Lake trailhead?
The trailhead is at 37.73978, -119.55985 in California. Use the driving-directions link in the Getting There section above, and note that parking at popular trailheads fills early on weekends.
Are dogs allowed on the Mirror Lake trail?
Rules vary by land manager — national parks often prohibit dogs on trails, while most national forests allow them on leash. Check with the managing agency for this trail before bringing your dog, and pack out waste.
When is the best time to hike Mirror Lake?
Late May through October for snow-free hiking. Check a summit point forecast before you go — conditions up high differ from the trailhead.
How tall is Mirror Lake?
Mirror Lake stands at 4,100 feet (1,250 meters) in California.
Best Time to Visit
spring
March - May
Muddy trails, snow at higher elevations, stream crossings high
summer
June - August
Best hiking conditions, afternoon thunderstorms possible
fall
September - November
Peak foliage mid-September to mid-October, cooler temperatures
winter
December - February
Severe alpine conditions, high winds, extreme cold
Summer Gear Checklist
- Sun protection
- Bug spray
- 2+ liters water
- Rain jacket
Tip: Start early to avoid crowds and afternoon storms. Summit by noon if thunderstorms are forecast.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Afternoon thunderstorms
- Dehydration risk
- UV exposure above treeline
Turn-Around Time
1:00 PM (2:00 PM summer)
Plan to reach the summit by this time to allow safe descent before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Summit Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Nearby Peaks
Explore other mountains near Mirror Lake. Great for peak-bagging or planning your next adventure.
Half Dome
8,842 ft
Vernal Fall
5,900 ft
Nevada Fall
5,900 ft
Panorama Trail
7,214 ft
Peak Bagging Tip
Half Dome is only 1.1 miles away. Consider combining these peaks for a bigger day or overnight trip!