Yosemite National Park Sports & Outdoors Tips by jessicadf

Go for a walk to Mirror Lake

One of the more mellow /moderate hikes in Yosemite Valley is to Mirror Lake and back. There are two paths to take you there -- one is a dirt trail, over rocks and through the trees. Very beautiful. The other is a paved bike path, considerably easier to walk and still pretty, but not as beautiful. When you hike the dirt trail, you'll share with horseback riders, so be aware of that.

Mirror Lake is at the base of Half Dome, and at one time acted as a beautiful reflecting pool of Half Dome. Over the years it has silted in and it's quite as reflective as it once was. It is, however, still beautiful.

And, of course, if you visit Yosemite in late Summer, there isn't any water in the lake at all. Instead you can walk to the middle of the "lake" and relax on it's soft sand, while gazing up the sheer face of Half Dome and meditating on life

Turn around and try to spy the rock climbers on the cliffs opposite Half Dome.

Equipment: Good walking shoes, water, sun screen and mosquito repellent.

Directions: The path starts at the Ahwahenee.

Theme: Hiking