The forest road is pothole city right from the start, along with washboarding and driving over large rocks. We were happy to have our Outback and recommend a vehicle with good clearance. However, we did see a minivan, Tesla, and Jetta at the trailhead...
This trail does not follow the usual formula of outbound ascent and return trip decent. Rather, this section of the PCT to Mirror Lake will require you to gain elevation only to then lose much of that elevation, which you must gain back on your return trek to the trailhead. Rest well at the lake to prepare yourself for the return trip!
Overall, this is a very well maintained trail. There is one fork around 2.5 miles marked with a tarn; continue straight and do not take the right at the tarn up the other rooty path.
Though the trail never felt crowded, Mirror Lake was busy on this warm summer day. A lot of people camping around the lake and enjoying the water.
We saw many pikas in the talus fields. Some people were out picking berries. The bugs were not too bad but more prominent around the lakeshore.
Fitbit logged 9.4 miles RT.
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