Decided to try a new trail, and it was quite fun (with exception to the road). Also discovered there are TWO ways to get to Mirror Lake; that will be explained later.
The directions for the PCT version of 'how to get there.." are accurate to the 0.1 mile! I will note as one is driving, it feels like you are not going the correct direction (are we really going to the water treatment plant?) but the road is THE true road, so follow the directions, including resetting your odometer. Word of warning: When you get to the end of the asphalt--SLOW DOWN--huge pothole. Right there. Thankfully, the tires held up. The rest of the gravel road is VERY full of potholes so, slow down and don't let the shadows fool you.
Truly at 5.4 miles, you are AT the 'trailhead'. Which is to say, park on the side of the road. No true parking lot. You can see the PCT marker on either side of the road but the foliage is hiding them a bit. I would go a bit further, and turn around so you are facing the direction you will be going down the road when done with your hike. As noted--no privy is present.
The trail is quite nice, some undulation of up/down but per PCT standards, never steep or if it does go up--it's not for long (My Garmin had the elevation at 1506). Some wildflowers were blooming, there were babbling creeks with little waterfalls, and lots of shade which was nice for a sunny day. Only one blowdown that was easily managed. Some fresh cut blowdowns were noted (thanks Forest Service!)
When you get to the intersection of trails--it can be a wee bit confusing. A sign points to the left for the "Mirror Lake Trail" but you can see a lake on the right. Sort of felt like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz--which direction do you go? Well, we initially went the wrong way-which would lead you to Cottonwood Lake. Lesson learned--go to the right--towards the lake that is very visible thru the trees! Someone has marked on the signs "not PCT" and "PCT" but those can easily be missed as well. The trail to the left is the other trail to get to Mirror Lake, and is it NOT on the PCT. The trail we were on, WAS on the PCT.
The lake is beautiful! Insane blue colors, clear waters, great scenery. And, yes. Mosquitos were out. We put on repellent on the trail when it was apparent the little biters were out, but they weren't horrible (perhaps due to the gentle breeze that was noted). There were a fair number of folks at the lake, some backpackers, some not. Campsites were on the right of the trail going to the end of the lake, as well as at the end of the lake. All were quite nice.
We also met up with some SOBO PCT thru hikers and clued them onto the trail divergence nuance. They don't need to add any more mileage to their journey!
All in all, a very nice trail that isn't too far from Seattle but has enough nuances (the potholed road) that will probably keep it not too busy. I can't speak of the other trail however, as most of the non-PCT hikers seemed to come up that trail. It was fantastic to get on a trail I hadn't seen, with a beautiful lake, nice hikers to chat with, and as always--it was fun to get outside.
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