A beautiful day to start the new year. Blue skies and cold crisp air made for a wonderful snow shoe hike around mirror lake. The picture to the left was taken by Ken. Pictured from left to right: Alex Ernie, Lindsey Baker, me, Brian Ernie, and Evelyn Ernie. Missising was Brian Baker, who we dearly missed. He had to work at Starbucks that day. As soon as we get some nice snow, we are going to drag Brian around the lake.
Mirror lake is just a couple of miles this side of Government Camp. Parking is just off the side of Highway 26. There are not a lot of spaces so I suggest getting there early on weekends. After you leave the parking lot, you have to cross rushing Camp Creek across a very narrow log bridge. It is only wide enough for one snow shoe. A little challenging if you are new to snow shoeing but amusing if you are able to watch a newbie cross the bridge. A better idea is to put the snow shoes on after crossing the bridge. We figured that out after crossing the first time. After crossing the bridge you immediately enter a deep forest. The trail soon enters more open woods, then begins a series of switchbacks across open scree slopes that provide interesting views of the Zigzag Valley.
As the trail approaches Mirror Lake, you will hear the outlet creek, and see a third bridge leading to the loop around the lake at the 1.4 mile mark. It was here that Ken and Lindsey left their snow angels. Pictures below:
Then be sure to complete the loop around the lake to take in the marsh boardwalk at the south end of the lake. Here you will see picturesque views of Mount Hood.
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