Portland, OR: Mirror Lake
This popular 3-mile lollipop loop visits a small, subalpine lake featuring a front-row view of Mt. Hood, and an option to continue to a higher viewpoint.
Take the drive up to Mt. Hood on any clear spring or summer day and notice the masses of parked cars along the roadside just west of Government Camp—they’re all there for the Mirror Lake hike. Justifiably so, because this short, fairly easy trail offers glorious views of glacier-capped Mt. Hood reflected in the still waters of the forest-rimmed lake. Bag this one on a weekday and get it all to yourself.
At the roadside trailhead, cross a small wooden bridge and start a short climb to an interpretive sign and larger bridge crossing Camp Creek. The trail then winds up through shady forest on gentle grade and switchbacks up an exposed rockfall slope for the next 1.2 miles. Where the trail levels, come to a fork offering the lake loop or Tom, Dick & Harry Mtn; take the left fork bridging Mirror Lake’s outlet and start a clockwise circuit around the lake. The lower shoreline offers views of the Tom, Dick & Harry Mtn ridge above, while the upper shoreline – along a planked boardwalk – gives the big payoff for this hike—Mt. Hood in all its glory.
As you complete the loop, an option to continue another 1.8 miles up to the higher viewpoint atop Tom, Dick & Harry Mtn is available. Otherwise, finish the loop at the earlier junction, and return to your starting point along the same route.
More info: Mt. Hood National Forest
Mapped by Eli Boschetto Bosco Mountain Photo
Trail Facts
- Distance: 4.7
Waypoints
MIR001
Location: 45.306568, -121.791475
Mirror Lake trailhead.
MIR002
Location: 45.305478, -121.792143
Interpretive sign and bridge over creek.
MIR003
Location: 45.298622, -121.793023
Fork left (E) over log bridge for lake loop.
MIR004
Location: 45.297056, -121.794214
Divert right (E) on boardwalk to Mirror Lake and Mt. Hood viewpoint.
MIR005
Location: 45.297713, -121.793672
Side trail breaks left (NW) up to Tom, Dick and Harry Mtn. Continue straight (NE) to complete lake loop and return.
Mirror Trailhead
Location: 45.306561, -121.791419
The Mirror Lake trail can be extremely crowded on weekends. Do this one on a weekday and have it all to yourself.
Crossing
Location: 45.305478, -121.792014
An interpretive sign at the crossing of Camp Creek offers info on the area.
Shady Trail
Location: 45.304293, -121.794418
The fairly easy Mirror Lake trail is covered for much of the way by cool forest.
Lake Loop
Location: 45.298573, -121.792738
Where the trail forks for Mirror Lake or Tom, Dick & Harry Mtn, veer left over a small bridge to start the lake loop.
Western Trillium
Location: 45.297615, -121.791558
The shoreline of Mirror Lake is dotted in late spring with clumps of these 3-leaved beauties.
Mirror Lake
Location: 45.297222, -121.793962
From a short boardwalk on the west side of the lake, enjoy views of Mt. Hood.