Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Mirror Lake
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. From the lower parking area walk 0.5 mile up the gently climbing rough road to the true trailhead, found at the switchback in the road. The trail contours away from the road, climbing gradually through brushy forest and old clear-cuts for 0.5 mile before reaching the wading pond called Cottonwood Lake (this lake is too shallow for fish, but perfect for mosquito breeding--don't linger if you value your blood). From Cottonwood continue upward, pushing north another 0.5 mile to a junction with the PCT at the shores of Mirror Lake. Turn left onto the PCT to walk the shoreline and to find the best reflections in the calm waters. Standing near the outlet stream you'll see Tinkham Peak in the lake's mirror finish.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 62 (signed "Kachess Lake"). At the bottom of the exit ramp turn right and drive southwest over the Yakima River. At 1.1 miles turn right (northwest) onto Forest Road 5480. Remain on this road as it continues along the shores of Keechelus Lake before climbing above Roaring Creek and then skirting the north shore of Lost Lake. The road continues up the hill above Lost Lake. At 7.1 miles from the freeway the rough gravel road turns into a very rough dirt track. Most hikers prefer to park here (elev. 3600 ft), though those with high-clearance four-wheel-drives can push on the final 0.5 mile to the trailhead at 3750 feet. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Bugs
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As soon as we got out of the car we noticed what appeared to be a 9 year old girl...
As soon as we got out of the car we noticed what appeared to be a 9 year old girl wrapped in a big warm blanket sleeping in the backseat of a car leaning against a carseat. The car was in the hot sun with all of the windows rolled up. With the best intentions, I tapped on on the window to see if she was ok. After a few minutes of talking loudly and tapping I went around to the other side of the car. That's when I found out she wasn't breathing...and has never taken a breath. It took me a minute to realize that I was staring at a manequin head/body? hunkered down in the back seat. I was thankful, nervous, scared and creeped out all at the same time.
On with the real trip report. Our group had two 3 year olds, a 5 year old, a 9 year old and three adults. I read other reports about parking in the lower lot for vehicles that are not high in clearance. Since a half mile on rutty rocky terrain might have defeated my twins right off the bat, I attempted to go up it in my Dodge Durango. As far as I could see, 50 feet up, it looked almost managable. I was not sure what the rest of the road would be like, so I gave up a little early. The idea of backing down a very rutty, dusty road while little hikers were hiking up did not appeal to me. I would have made it to the top, it got better further up the road. There is a decent parking lot at the top. It just so happens that a very friendly gentleman and his sons were on their way up and offered to let us all ride up in the back of his truck. We were very thankful for the ride. The road had those kind of big rocks (baseball size) that make you slip a little every forth step. My three year olds would have been "done" half way up. I'm mentioning this because if your deciding on who's car to drive to this hike it's worth it to the preschoolers to take the truck. There were lots of mosquitos, black flys, and bees. We used bug repellant and I only got bit once. Once we got to Mirror Lake, we went for a swim and a splash. I was so surprised that it was consideralbly warmer than the other alpine lakes we hike to. This lake is a pretty turqoise green color. There was a lot of garbage left behind from other campers. Mainly garbage left partially burnt in the fire pit and other items here and there. Being at the lake itself feels like we were deep in the wilderness, but, all of the trash reminded us that we were just a mile from our car. I am amazed that I have not heard about this hike until just recently. It is a perfect place to take new hikers in my opionion. We will definately return...in our truck. :) Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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With limited time for hiking today, I chose to drive most of the distance of this trip, by going up...
With limited time for hiking today, I chose to drive most of the distance of this trip, by going up Rd 5480. Surprisingly, there were a lot of cars in the parking lot at 9am, but I managed to find a space.
The trail was snow-free and generally nice, except for the paper plates hanging from trees every so often (5 of them) and the 2 that were nailed (!) into trees that had directional arrows to lead to a particular campsite for a particular party. Tacky. There was also some trash around which I picked up, including some orange peels in the lake. Beyond the lake (on the PCT) we encountered great wildflowers: Columbine, Tiger Lilly, Lupine that were basking in the sun (so were we). It's a great hike for kids and there were many families dayhiking and camping. It's a pretty lake and area, but it needs a little love so be sure to pack out trash and be nice to the surrounding flora.
Mirror Lake
— Aug 06, 2011
— BirderHiker
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Trail is in great shape and dry except for some brief muddy areas. Great wildflowers including rosy twisted stalk, some...
Trail is in great shape and dry except for some brief muddy areas. Great wildflowers including rosy twisted stalk, some late trillium, monkey flower and bear grass. Stumps between the lakes are slippery.
Mirror Lake
— Jul 09, 2011
— Zachary Oliver
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Clogged drainage | Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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I did a quick solo hike up to Mirror Lake yesterday via Trail 1302 accessed from FR 5480. The road...
I did a quick solo hike up to Mirror Lake yesterday via Trail 1302 accessed from FR 5480. The road is clear and open to vehicles to the standard trailhead (at 7.1 miles where the road steepens and gets a lot rougher). Patchy areas of snow begins just past the outlet stream from Cottonwood Lake. Snowcover increases on the route to Mirror but there's a boot path that is fairly easy to follow, still many areas of patchy snow around the lake that are at least a few feet deep. The lake itself is probably halfway thawed. The campsite at the southeast end of the lake is melted out. Great day hike.
Day hike
Features:
Ripe berries
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The PCT from Windy Pass to Mirror Lake is a splendid, easy, perfect autumn hike. The trail is in...
The PCT from Windy Pass to Mirror Lake is a splendid, easy, perfect autumn hike. The trail is in excellent shape, few bugs, and lots of berries. There are lakes and tarns, sweeping views from some points, and the little side trip to beautiful Cottonwood Lake is well worth it. Best of all are the friendly stories of PCT through hikers on their way to Canada.
It is 5 miles from Snoqualmie Pass south to Windy Pass on the PCT and I did not find that section all that interesting. Better to start at Windy Pass up on Ollalie Meadows. To get there, exit I-90 at Hyak, go through 2 stop signs and bear left onto road 9070. It's poorly marked but when you pass the water treatment station, you're on it. Stay on the main gravel road through two sharp hairpin turns up to the Meadows where it is very rocky. Park on the side of the road. The PCT crosses the road here and is marked by a small post at 3800 ft. This road is also the way you get to Mt. Catherine, Twin Lakes, and Silver Peak. The trail crosses the Meadows and plunges into the trees. The Meadows are full of blueberries but they are small and still need a week to ripen. The trail climbs gradually 2 miles to a cairn which marks the climb up to Silver Peak. Continuing on the PCT around a watershed and across several talus slopes to the first junction at 4500 ft. Left goes steeply down to Twin Lakes and Cold Creek. Continue right on the PCT to the next junction. Left is the 1/2 mile to Cottonwood Lake. This lake has a wonderful private lakeside campsite and the fish are jumping. Continue right on the PCT to Mirror Lake, a beautiful large alpine lake with lots of campsites. Past the spillway the trail opens to a scenic panorama down to Twilight Lake, Lost Lake, and Lake Keechelus. To get down there is a 300 foot descent on a slope exposed to the sun and we decided against it. Total distance round trip to Mirror and Cottonwood was 8.2 miles with an initial gain of 700 ft. Add to that 300 ft down and back to both lakes. |
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