Looking for more lake hikes near Snoqualmie Pass?
Check out my review on hiking around Lake Easton.
LOCATION
The Mirror Lake trailhead is located about 7 miles off I-90 from Exit 62. Shortly after exiting the freeway, drivers will turn onto Lost Lake Road, then NF-5480. Be prepared for a rough and bumpy ride!
LENGTH
2.5 miles out and back, a little further if you hike all the way around Mirror Lake
DIFFICULTY
Moderate – The trail is rocky and rooty with a lot of ups and downs, although it isn’t too steep. The total elevation gain is around 870 feet. We also hiked all the way around Mirror Lake before returning. If you choose to do this, be aware that this is not a maintained trail and involves climbing over rocks, fallen trees, and lots of brush.
WE HIKED IT
October, 2022, about 3 hours including hiking all the way around Mirror Lake and a leisurely break
CURRENT INFO
For trail updated information and reviews, visit the WTA (Washington Trails Association) website. This hike is also included in the book Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington by Susan Elderkin.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Parking is free at the Mirror Lake Trailhead.
- No toilets, garbage bins, or water are available at the trailhead. Bring everything you need with you, and pack everything out.
- Remember to pack the 10 Essentials.
- The road to the Mirror Lake Trailhead is rough. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to drive from Exit 62 on I-90 to the trailhead. Expect plentiful potholes and dust in dry weather (or mud when wet). A high clearance vehicle isn’t required, but is recommended.
- Bring bug spray in summer and early fall. We had no issues with bugs in October, but summer lake hikes are often a different story.
- Pets on leash are allowed.
- Looking to swim? Mirror Lake is a refreshing place to take a dip on a hot summer’s day. There are a couple of spots near the trail that offer easy access to the water.
- Looking to camp? There are numerous campsites around the perimeter of Mirror Lake, many with fabulous views. There are also a few campsites at smaller Cottonwood Lake before you reach Mirror Lake.
- The road to the Mirror Lake trailhead may be closed in winter due to snow. The trail can likewise be snowed in throughout winter and spring, so plan to visit Mirror Lake in the summer or fall. Check road and trail reports ahead of time if you plan to visit during the shoulder season.
- Always follow Leave No Trace principles.
HIGHLIGHTS
No surprise, Mirror Lake is the highlight here, the payoff at the end of this short but sweet hike. A topaz jewel surrounded by forested mountains, it’s a treat to spend an afternoon here. Or maybe even spend the night? With gorgeous campsites less than a two-mile hike from the trailhead, Mirror Lake is a great easy backpacking destination.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
The hike to Mirror Lake was just right for an afternoon outing with the kids. As my six-year-old put it, “I said I wasn’t up for a hike, but I’m up for this hike!” It’s short, but the varied terrain kept my kids interested. Lakes are always a high point, even when we can’t swim, and the fallen log bridge was a fun bonus. Our kids also enjoyed the adventure of finding their way around the lake and back to the main trail through rock fields and brush. It’s a great way to hone hiking skills for those ready for a little challenge.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Snoqualmie Pass offers a treasure trove of hikes. A few miles further east along I-90 lies Lake Easton, a good place to hike and camp. For something short and accessible, try Gold Creek Pond. For more elevation gain and views, try Mount Margaret.
If you’re heading west on I-90 after the hike, you won’t pass many food options until you get to North Bend and Snoqualmie. After our hike, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Snoqualmie Falls Brewery.
Our Experience
After weeks of smoke clouding Seattle, to say it was a relief to arrive at the Mirror Lake Trailhead under blue skies would be an understatement. Eagerly, we bumped down the sun-dappled forest road to our destination, our anticipation high.
The first part of the hike follows an even bumpier forest road, one so washboarded that it has long been closed to car traffic. The grade isn’t too steep, but it sure is rocky. An OHV passed us on the way up, kicking up clouds of dust. Fortunately, we soon reached the start of the actual trail. Just before the forest road makes a sharp turn to the right, look for a trail branching off to the left into the woods. This way to Mirror Lake!
It was a gorgeous afternoon, with sunbeams slanting through the trees and setting the still-green vegetation aglow. The fall rains hadn’t yet arrived, so much of the trail was dry, although we crossed a few small mucky streambeds.
Before long, we came to a far grander stream crossing where a fallen log created a dramatic bridge over the rocky creek. The water was low enough that it was also possible to hop from boulder to boulder across the stream without getting a toe wet. No doubt crossing during the rainy season would be a completely different story.
As we continued on, we caught a glimpse of Cottonwood Lake through the trees. Tucked cozily between the mountains, Cottonwood Lake offers a few lakeside campsites and a quiet place to paddle or fish. Much of the lakeshore is covered with thick vegetation, and the beach near the trail is muddy. Nonetheless, it’s a peaceful spot to enjoy the surrounding nature and sees fewer visitors than Mirror Lake.
Past Cottonwood Lake, the trail begins to rise. We had a lovely view of fall colors decorating the hillside as we began a short series of switchbacks.
This is the final ascent to Mirror Lake, and although it isn’t too steep, rocks and roots are plentiful. Watch your feet as you climb. We appreciated the fact that the going was just a little bit rough; it made our trek feel more like a true hike, despite its short length.
After finishing the uphill stretch, we came to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT passes by Mirror Lake, and those looking for a longer hike can access the lake from another trailhead further south along the PCT. Because of this, you’ll find more people at Mirror Lake than you might otherwise expect, but in our experience it wasn’t crowded.
Entranced by the sparkling blue water below, we hurried along the trail, hoping to find an easy way down to the lakeshore. At last, we found it: a lovely beach along the lake with the perfect view. A fallen log provided just the spot to sit for a spell and enjoy a snack.
While the boys took a break, Michael and I did a little more exploring. Just beyond the lake, we discovered grand views of the valley beyond us, the mountains cloaked in evergreens.
Campsites dotted the area, including one particularly prime location with a fire pit and bench near the lake. Another hiker noticed us eyeing the spot, and informed us that there were even more stunning campsites further along the lake. You might have to do a little bushwhacking to get there, but the view, she claimed, was worth it.
This got Michael and I thinking… maybe we could hike all the way around Mirror Lake! The official trail doesn’t circumnavigate the entire lake, but from the other hiker’s description, it sounded doable. We had enough time, and decided this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. The kids weren’t so sure at first, but before long they were gamely pushing aside small branches and stepping over gnarled roots.
At one point, a jumble of boulders covered the hillside. We picked our way carefully through the rocks before meeting back with the trail. Not far past this point, we discovered a beautiful campsites atop a large, flat-topped rocky shelf above the lake. We paused a moment to admire the view, then continued our trek, climbing over fallen logs and ducking under branches until we rejoined the main trail.
After our adventure around the lake, the way back was a piece of cake. The sun hung lower in the sky, leaving much of the forest in shadows, but we made it back to the car with daylight to spare. Back home in Seattle, more smoke awaited us on Monday morning, but here at Mirror Lake, we found just the respite we needed.
