Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake from paved road

The Trail

This is an easy 1.4 mile long (one way) trail with a 114 ft. elevation change. The entire trail actually makes sort of a loop around Mirror Lake, but a rock slide in March of 2009 blocked part of the trail making it inaccessible. The trail at the point of the rock slide is buried under large fallen trees, and attempting to cross the rock slide area is not advisable. (See the picture below for a map of the slide area.) The other side of the trail can be accessed from the road, but it will also be blocked off when you reach the rock slide.

This trail is pleasantly shaded and also takes hikers to the base area of Half Dome. It is also used as a horse trail.

To access the other side of the lake, you can stay on the paved road and walk up to it. The walk is about a mile long this way.

Topographical Map

 Please note: The shape of the lake on this topographical map is not accurate.

Trail on Google Earth

Graph of Elevation

At other times of the year, this lake has more of a mirror effect, but we hiked it during the beginning of June, when run off was high, and the water was more turbulent.

Rock Slide Area

Directions

This trail is found in Yosemite National Park in California. The trail starts at the end of Yosemite Valley. There is parking available at designated areas in the valley, and then hikers must walk or take the shuttle to the Mirror Lake stop.

View of Half Dome from across the lake

Mist and John Muir Trails to Vernal and Nevada Falls

Nevada Fall and Liberty Cap

The Trail

When done together as a loop, the Mist and John Muir Trails make up an approximately 7 mile long moderate excursion with a 1910 foot elevation change. This trail is stunningly beautiful with fantastic views along a scenic and ever changing trail that is almost sure to keep hikers engaged.

This popular trail is easy to find and easy to follow. The first part of the trail is paved on its way to the bridge that looks down the river to Vernal Fall. Soon after that, the trail splits into the Mist Trail on the left and the John Muir Trail on the right. The Mist trail closely follows the Merced River and takes hikers up to the brink of Vernal Fall. By continuing the loop on the John Muir trail, hikers will also reach the brink of Nevada Fall. The trail is very wet with the mist coming off the falls, particularly in the spring with high run off, and many people bring ponchos to help keep dry. The John Muir Trail connects to the Mist Trail and takes hikers back down to the trail head.

Trail going up to bring of Vernal Fall

For a shorter hike, you can make a smaller loop by taking the trail that connects the John Muir trail at Clark Point to the Mist Trail a little before the Silver Apron (not shown on maps), or you can just hike to Vernal Fall Bridge.

For a longer hike, you can continue to Little Yosemite Valley at the point where the Mist and John Muir trails connect at their ends. This trail also leads to the top of Half Dome. It also connects with a number of other trails in the area.

Trail maps are available in the park. Restrooms are available at Vernal Fall Bridge and at Nevada Fall. Pets are not permitted on the trails.

Topigraphical Map:  Blue=Mist Trail   Red=John Muir Trail

Note: The last switchbacks heading down the John Muir Trail are not accurate on these maps because our GPS became confused during this time. The trail indicated is only a rough approximation here.

Trail on Google Earth:  Yellow=Mist Trail
Red=John Muir Trail

Graph of Elevation
(when going up Mist Trail and down John Muir)

Nevada Fall

Vernal Fall

Mist off of Vernal Fall

Brink of Vernal Fall

Directions

This trail is found in Yosemite National Park in California. The trail starts at the end of Yosemite Valley. There is parking available at designated areas in the valley, and then hikers must walk or take the shuttle to Happy Isles where the trail begins.

On way to top of Vernal Fall

Looking down Nevada Fall

Bear Canyon Trail

The Trail


Bear Canyon is a moderate to difficult 1.7 mile trail (one way) with approximately a 1440 foot elevation change. If you start this trail from Mutual Dell off the Alpine Loop, it sets out at a decent climb, levels off briefly, then continues up and a pretty steady pace. The first part of the trail is marked as trail 143. Later it turns into trail 179. It crosses Timpooneke Road and trail 179 continues on the other side. This trail also connects to the Timpooneke Campground if you follow the turn off for it. This trail is also part of loop that connects with the Pine Hollow Trail if you go along the Timpooneke Road.

The trail mostly goes through pine forest area, and overall is very well shaded. Since we hiked this trail at the tail end of May during a cool year, it was still covered with a good amount of snow, especially as our elevation increased. By the end, we hit so much snow we could no longer find the trail. The trail does continue further, but we don't know exactly where it ends. The trail is probably a bit more scenic and easy to follow a bit later in the year.

This trail is open to horseback riding and bicycling. For more information on this area, please see Alpine Loop.

Topographical Map

Trail on Google Earth

Graph of Trail Elevation

 

Directions

This trail is along the Alpine Loop. From I-15 take Exit 284 in Utah County. Continue straight west along UT-92, up into the canyon. There is a $6.00 fee to continue up the canyon. Keep going until you reach Mutual Dell (about 13.5 miles up the road from the freeway), which will be on the right. Turn into Mutual Dell, keep to the right, and continue to the end of the road. The trail head is off the parking lot. This trail can also be accessed from the other end along Timpooneke Road.

Looking down Timpooneke Road

Looking up the trail

The Alpine Loop

The Alpine Loop is a scenic byway accessible from Utah County that goes through American Fork Canyon along Utah Hwy. 92, and then continues into the Uinta Nation Forest along U.S. 189 and connects to Provo Canyon. The road is usually open late May to late October. This road will lead travelers to the Timpanogos Cave National Monument and the Sundance Resort, and also provides access to a number of trails and recreation areas.

It takes approximately an hour to drive along the whole road, which is 24 miles long. The road climbs about 3,000 feet and offers beautiful views along the way. The road is well used by outdoor enthusiasts, bicyclists, and people who just want to go for a scenic drive. It is particularly popular in the fall when the changing leaves set the mountains ablaze with color.

Since the road transverses a National Forest Area, there is a $6 fee to enter, which gives you access to the area for three days. You can also buy a $12 pass good for a week, or an annual pass for $45. The America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass will also give you access to the area.