The gorgeous Mirror Lake Trail is a wonderful way to spend a day near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington. The trail is 3.5 miles, out and back, and is moderate in difficulty.
The trail is pretty easy to follow and has a nice payoff, especially since you can see Cottonwood Lake along the way. If you're really determined, you can even access it from the PCT.
Mirror Lake Trail: At a Glance
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Trailhead Coordinates: 47.342 -121.422
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Family Friendly: Yes (in summer and fall)
Pet Friendly: Yes, but dogs need to be on a leash.
Hiking Mirror Lake
The hike to Mirror Lake starts at the Mirror Lake Trailhead. It's accessed via Forest Service Road 5480 from Highway 90. You'll pass through Palouse to Cascades State Park on the right side of the road.
The first 0.3 miles of the trail is flat and takes you just slightly north through the woods until you meet up with Forest Road 5480 trail (different from the road you came in on). Make sure you continue straight (don't go right). The trail zig zigs a bit before going downhill toward Cottonwood Lake.
You'll continue on the south side of Cottonwood Lake, slightly downhill, before taking a sharp left turn to the shoreline of Mirror Lake. You can walk along the shore for a while, about 0.2 miles. You'll see Tinkham Peak (5,322') on the west side of the lake.
Because this is an out-and-back trail, you'll need to turn around and come back out the same way you came in.
Alternatively, you could follow the trail along to join up with the PCT, headed south away from the lake. It meets up with a large network of trails that you can explore, but it is many miles from the road.
Camping Near Mirror Lake
Here are a few campgrounds near Mirror Lake that are worth checking out:
This is a campground near North Bend, Washington, on the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. It's popular throughout the summer and fall, and many people use it as a base to explore Rattlesnake Lake.
Alice Creek Campground
Alice Creek Campground is a site in King County, not far from Mirror Lake. It's not far from North Bend and is located on Milwaukee Road.
Cold Creek Campground
Cold Creek Campground is part of the Palouse to Cascades Trail on the shores of Lake Keechelus.
Buck Creek Campground is a beautiful and popular camping area on the bank of Buck Creek in Washington state. It's one of the best sites if you're hoping to explore the North Cascades.
The Denny Creek Campground in North Bend, Washington, is located on the Snoqualmie River near the Wagon Road Trail. It's a prime destination for anyone camping near Seattle.
To Do Nearby
There are a wide variety of things to do near Mirror Lake that you might be interested in. Here are a few:
Looking for something a little harder? Well, the Rattlesnake Ledges Trail might be for you. It offers stunning views of Mount Si, Snoqualmie Pass, the North Cascades, and more.
Franklin Falls is a beautiful Washington waterfall in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River. After hiking 1 mile along the trail, you'll see the 135' Franklin Falls.
Coal Creek Falls is a popular waterfall near Bellevue, Washington. It's most easily accessed via the Red Town Trailhead. It is certainly not the hardest trail in the area, and most hikers will have an easy time making the hike in.
