【Hike】Mirror Lake - Yosemite National Park in California

 

     As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I went to Yosemite National Park for hiking. After walking 10 miles for Vernal Fall via Mist Trail hike, we decided to go to Mirror Lake. Obviously, we were already extremely tired before going there, but I thought that I could walk a few extra miles. However, it was harder than I had expected. We ended up walking 14 miles in total that day. 😂

Mirror Lake Hike

My Mirror Lake Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

Tips for Walking to Mirror Lake.
・Apply sunscreen on entire body.
・Wear sunglasses and hat with high UPF.
・Drink water often.
・Leashed dogs are allowed on the paved trail only.
・It's an easy and moderately hike.  

・Extremely weak cell service.

 

My Mirror Lake Walking Summary (AllTrails App)

 

      We walked to Mirror Lake and went to the view point of Half Dome. Then, we got on the shuttle bus at Curry Village. 

My Mirror Lake Trail Walking Summary (AllTrails App)

Valley Loop Trail to Mirror Lake

Valley Loop Trail

       We started walking on Valley Loop Trail to go to Mirror Lake. I probably should have chosen walking on the paved trail, Happy Isles Loop Road, for a little shorter and easier hike.

Valley Loop Trail

     It should be an easy trail but was hard for us after walking 10 miles for Vernal Fall hike.

       Compared to Mist Trail, there were less people on this trail. It was very quiet and peaceful.

      It was a short hike, but I felt like it's too long because my legs were sore. I couldn't walk as fast as I usually do.

       After walking for an hour or so, we finally made it to the Mirror Lake!

Mirror Lake

      The lake had full of water! It was so beautiful. If you choose the paved trail, you can see the lake from the other side.

       After enjoying staying at the lake for a while, we decided to go back, and we went to the view point of Half Dome.

       You should know what to do if you encounter a mountain lion.

The View of Half Dome

Half Dome

      This is the view point of Half Dome!

       That day, we wore the North Face t-shirts because the logo was drawn inspiration from Half Dorm in Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome

         After that, we headed toward Curry Village to get on the shuttle bus at the Shuttle Stop #14 or #19.

      We got off the bus at Shuttle Stop #7. We finally arrived at the Yosemite Valley Lodge Parking Lot. My legs were sore after long hiking, but we really enjoyed that day.

 

 

Mirror Lake

      If I have a chance to go to Yosemite National Park next time, I would like to walk the paved trail to go and see Mirror Lake's reflection of Half Dome.

     Next day, we hiked on the Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point. I'll write about it next time.

      These are my entries related to Yosemite National Park.

1.【Hike】Vernal Fall via Mist Trail

2.【Hike】Mirror Lake

3.【Hike】Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point

4. What I Purchased at Yosemite National Park

         If you like hikes, you can check out my previous entries related to hike I tried from the book, 50 Hikes in Orange County.

1. San Gabriel River to Turtle Overlook (Long Beach/Seal Beach)

2. Dana Point Headlands (Dana Point)

3. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Huntington Beach)

4. Bayview Trail (Newport Beach)

5. Crystal Cove Tide Pools (Newport Beach)

6. Aliso Peak (Laguna Niguel)

7. Pecten Reef Loop (Aliso Viejo)

8. Bommer Canyon (Irvine)

9. Laurel Loop (Laguna Beach) 

10. Mariposa Trail Loop (Laguna Beach)

11. Little Sycamore Canyon Loop (Laguna Beach)

12. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (Irvine)

13. Wood Canyon Trail (Aliso Viejo)

14. San Onofre State Beach (San Clemente / Oceanside)

15. Guna Peak (Laguna Beach) 

16. Oak Canyon Nature Center (Anaheim)

17. Horseshoe Loop at Irvine Regional Park (Orange)

18. Upper Hot Spring Canyon (Lake Elsinore)

     There are my entries related to my hikes I found on AllTrails App.

1. San Clemente Beach Coastal Trail (San Clemente)

2. Talbert Regional Park and Fairview Park (Costa Mesa))

3. Turtle Rock and French Hill Loop (Irvine) 

4. Back Bay Loop Trail (Newport Beach)

5. Black Star Canyon Falls Trail (Silverado)

6. Vernal Fall via Mist Trail (Yosemite National Park)

 

 

      These are my entries you might like.
■Walking Along Shoreline in Long Beach, Los Angeles CA (October 2019)

■Dana Point Headlands - Dana Point, CA (September 2019)

■San Clemente Beach Coastal Trail - Hiking Trail Next to The Railroads (September 2022)

■Quail Hill Loop Trail in Irvine, CA (April 2019) 

■La Jolla Cove in San Diego (March 2019) 

■San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine (February 2019)

■Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach (January 2019)

■Swimming with Wild Dolphins (Big Island, Hawaii, January 2015)

■Dolphin Watching in Dana Point (July 2017)

■Our Whale Watching Trip (Dana Point, August 2013)

■San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine (March 2017)

■La Jolla Cove - Beautiful Spring Wildflowers and Wild Animals (2018)


       My entries related to wild animals can be seen here.

       My entries related to Orange County Hikes can be seen here.

       My entries related to sunset can be seen here.

       My entries related to hiking and walking can be seen here.