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A magnificent tour trough Tenaya Canyon and around Mirror Lake.


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Map Key

4.0

Miles

6.4

KM

98%

Runnable

4,158' 1,267 m

High

3,998' 1,218 m

Low

250' 76 m

Up

226' 69 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

8%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

The loop follows Tenaya Creek beyond the lake, and crosses two bridges after the Snow Creek Trail junction before returning past Mirror Lake on the south side of Tenaya Canyon. (There is no safe access to the north side of Mirror Lake directly from the south side of the loop, except via bridges at the west and east ends of the trail).

Mirror Lake has little water much of the year and, while pleasant at any time of year, it is fullest in spring and early summer, when Tenaya Creek flows freely with fresh snowmelt. When water is calm, the lake offers beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs. Exhibits along the trail tell the story of Mirror Lake's lake-to-meadow succession, and also highlight some of the cultural history of the area. Mirror Lake is often referred to as Mirror Meadow in late summer due to the lack of water and the influx of grasses and sandy areas.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Yosemite

Shared By:

Brian Smith

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 24 votes

#268

Overall
  4.5 from 24 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#27

in California

#268

Overall
6 Views Last Month
1,394 Since May 7, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

38%
14%
43%
0%
5%
0%

Photos

Half Dome towering above Mirror Lake/Meadow
May 7, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Yosemite National Park, Mirror Lake Trail
May 7, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Yosemite National Park, Mirror Lake Trail
May 7, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Valley walls reflection in Mirror Lake
Dec 24, 2018 near Yosemit…, CA
Mirror Lake Loop in the summer
Jun 25, 2018 near Yosemit…, CA
Upper Mirror Lake
Oct 16, 2022 near Yosemit…, CA

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