Mirror Lake/Meadow Trail
Mirror Lake/Meadow Trail
Mirror Lake/Meadow Trail
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This clear lake is a popular hiking spot.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
839 reviews
Excellent
384
Very good
262
Average
139
Poor
48
Terrible
6
Hollyhollyb123
Whitwick, UK95 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
It was a really hot day but luckily this walk to Mirror Lake had lots of shady spots on route. Easy hike. The shore of Mirror Lake was a great place to spot climbers on half dome. Beautiful, peaceful place
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy L
Allen, TX1,548 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
After 45 plus years, Mirror Lake still gives it her best. It’s changed a lot in 40+ years, but I have images from the identical location since 1973. Last week the mirror image was fine as it was nearly 47 years ago. I have purchased images of Mirror Lake going back to the late 19th century.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnyboyd
San Ramon, CA290 contributions
Nov 2021
So .. let me caveat this review: Northern Cal had unusually good rains in Oct & Nov. Which has resulted in lots of water in the Yosemite valley for fall season.
The last time I walked this trail to Mirror lake was over a decade back, and the 'lake' was almost empty it being late summer or fall then. What a change a good flurry of rains brings !
The trail is about 4+ miles round trip from the Happy Isles stop in the valley. Easy/moderate with just the a wee bit of climb. Well maintained with sufficient room to make it 'covid friendly'. A good portion of the trail parallels the Tenaya creek which was quite full and flowing nicely .. so pretty!
Few people along the trail itself - day trippers generally stick to the yosemite falls. Mirror lake itself is a misnomer - the creek just widens and settles into a largish area. The reflections of trees, mountains and half dome is what gives it the name.
Beautiful area to visit & take photos.
If you have the time, greatly recommend.
There's also a bike trail that goes along the other side of the creek, so biking is another good option.
The last time I walked this trail to Mirror lake was over a decade back, and the 'lake' was almost empty it being late summer or fall then. What a change a good flurry of rains brings !
The trail is about 4+ miles round trip from the Happy Isles stop in the valley. Easy/moderate with just the a wee bit of climb. Well maintained with sufficient room to make it 'covid friendly'. A good portion of the trail parallels the Tenaya creek which was quite full and flowing nicely .. so pretty!
Few people along the trail itself - day trippers generally stick to the yosemite falls. Mirror lake itself is a misnomer - the creek just widens and settles into a largish area. The reflections of trees, mountains and half dome is what gives it the name.
Beautiful area to visit & take photos.
If you have the time, greatly recommend.
There's also a bike trail that goes along the other side of the creek, so biking is another good option.
Written November 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheExplorerFamily
Somerset, NJ7,156 contributions
Jun 2022
This small and pretty lake is located in the Tenaya Canyon. The hike is a 2.4 mile round-trip from the Shuttle Bus Stop, and was our final activity for the day. Most of the path was paved, but a few parts of the hike were steep, a little arduous and slippery. Luckily, there are plenty of trees that provide shade.We saw some massive boulders, and quite a few squirrels.
The Mirror Lake is a popular swimming hole that is quite shallow, and a lot of people come prepared to take a dip in there.
We thought it was over-hyped, and were a little disappointed at not seeing enough water in the “Lake”. Yes, the sky and the rocks were reflected in the water, but the water was not clear enough to create a mirror effect.
Make sure you wear good walking shoes if you plan this hike.
The Mirror Lake is a popular swimming hole that is quite shallow, and a lot of people come prepared to take a dip in there.
We thought it was over-hyped, and were a little disappointed at not seeing enough water in the “Lake”. Yes, the sky and the rocks were reflected in the water, but the water was not clear enough to create a mirror effect.
Make sure you wear good walking shoes if you plan this hike.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PacificNWFamily
Washington State103,700 contributions
Sep 2022
My hiking group wanted a flatter walk for a ‘rest’ day, and the Mirror Lake/Meadow Loop was just right. We began our hike at the Church Bowl picnic area and accessed the Mirror Lake Trail partway up the creek. We continued to the bridge and walked down the east side.
The walking surface was much gentler on the west side. The east side of the trail has a variety of sections including shady wet, cleared rockslide, and root / rock. We wore hiking shoes or hiking boots as we’re hikers, but folks in good sneakers seemed okay. I saw one preschool age boy in sandals, but I don’t think that was a good choice for the east side trail. (His mom was CARRYING a stroller while his dad wore the baby in a front pack. The west side trail is a much better choice for a stroller and for sandal wearers.)
We saw a beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the upstream part of the west side trail. Then we heard an unfamiliar bird call. Maybe a pileated? My AT&T service worked well, so I Googled “bird call pileated woodpecker” and determined that was indeed the bird we were hearing. We listened for a while as at least three birds called to each other.
From the trail, we got great views of North Dome, Basket Dome, and Half Dome. The trail was in shade much of the time and definitely suited our needs for the day.
The walking surface was much gentler on the west side. The east side of the trail has a variety of sections including shady wet, cleared rockslide, and root / rock. We wore hiking shoes or hiking boots as we’re hikers, but folks in good sneakers seemed okay. I saw one preschool age boy in sandals, but I don’t think that was a good choice for the east side trail. (His mom was CARRYING a stroller while his dad wore the baby in a front pack. The west side trail is a much better choice for a stroller and for sandal wearers.)
We saw a beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the upstream part of the west side trail. Then we heard an unfamiliar bird call. Maybe a pileated? My AT&T service worked well, so I Googled “bird call pileated woodpecker” and determined that was indeed the bird we were hearing. We listened for a while as at least three birds called to each other.
From the trail, we got great views of North Dome, Basket Dome, and Half Dome. The trail was in shade much of the time and definitely suited our needs for the day.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Satyabrata Dam
New Delhi1,760 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
From shuttle bus stop 17, it's an easy 1 hour hike for return trip. Well paved road and a trail on either side of the stream leads you to the lake. This hike is suitable for all ages and is a must. The reflection upon the water is beautiful. I saw a group of deers near the lake.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,266 contributions
Mar 2022
Our group hiked this trail in the morning from the Ahwahnee Hotel to Mirror Lake to view Half Dome from the base. It is around a 3.5 mile round trip hike with little elevation. The trail crosses the Merced River a couple of times then travels though a pine forest with a small portion though granite rocks. The entire time you get views of the valley rimmed by the granite mountains above. The end places you on the north edge of Mirror Lake directly across from Half Dome. I will say afternoon is probably better for the sun and pictures of Half Dome. With that said, our hike was enjoyed by all, right distance and elevation. It addition the views were impressive. If you are looking for an easy 3-4 valley hike, this is a good one. I will agree with other post that if you don't hit the right time there could be very little water in the lake.
Written April 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1,250 contributions
Feb 2023
If you go with the expectation of a Banff or Swiss Alps style photo opportunity you will be disappointed. The trail is very easy to follow and offers good footing, and is mostly level so good for almost any hiker. But, like many trails at Yosemite, the signage for the loop around the lake either does not exist or is hidden somewhere - so don't count on doing the loop that is mentioned in the park guide. Same is true for the creek or other features that are supposed to connect to this trail. A very popular hike, so no solitude. The signage at the lake is interesting, and bathrooms are available. If you are looking for the iconic views of rock there are much better alternatives.
Written February 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate H
Colorado155 contributions
Oct 2022
This was a great family hike. We went in October when there is no water, none, but we knew that ahead of time from reading about it. It was still very cool. The first part of the hike winds through trees and is pretty mild; when you reach the lake it opens up to views of Half Dome and other rock formations up the valley. Playing in the empty lake bed was pretty fun for the kids. We walked back down the road just to do something different and it was much faster. Beautiful foliage this way as it was more open than on the trail. There was no parking when we went, so we parked at Curry Village which added some time and distance but not too bad. The bridges were fun to cross with more beautiful views as well.
Written November 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick M
Orcutt, CA70 contributions
Nov 2021
Comes and goes and it was gone this trip. Excellent hike up and we saw two bears and a buck. There is a bathroom at the entrance to the lake that smelled so bad we nearly barfed our guts out - did not add to the ambiance of the location.
Written November 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My family is hoping to do this trail when we go in June. Is it a loop? Or do you get the end and walk back? My husband and I are Easy to Moderate trail hikers while our son and his girlfriend are looking for a little bit more of a challenge.
Written May 5, 2022
You can make it a loop with different destinations or you can out and back. It will be perfect for easy to moderate hikers. However, you kids may go on this to be with you, they need the Mist Trail or Yosemite Falls.
Written May 7, 2022
Mirror Lake is not a lake. It is a wide spot on Tenaya Creek. In spring, there is flooding and the wide stream has a nice reflection.
Note that questions posted on the TripAdvisor Yosemite forum will be answered the same day that they are asked. This Q&A feature is seldom viewed by anyone.
Written February 6, 2016
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