Your secret location is a beauty. Love the view from that spot. Just magical. One can spend a lifetime exploring Yosemite and not see it all. One of my favorite NP's.
Oh shucks, its no longer a secret. We discovered this trail and explored it when we were in our 70's & no longer could do the more strenuous hikes. We found that just going up to switchback 13 gave us a great view across the valley & that was as far as we ever went. Now we are in our ,mid 80's & can't even get to Yosemite. We never saw another person on the trail. In our 20's & 30's we backpacked all over the high country, but you have to accomodate an aging body. I have really bad arthritis so I had to stop hiking earlier. Bummer. Thanks for the lovely video.
I am in much better shape at age 61 than when I was 31. But I do wonder whether I could make this trail. I hiked all over Yosemite Valley as a teenager and, yes, went up those Half Dome cables as a teenager. It was the day and age when nobody dared to go up that Half Dome trail. My sisters and I had it all to myself. I'm at the age where I would love to start hiking again. But I do wonder whether I could do nine miles worth of hiking, especially when it comes to those famous Yosemite switchbacks!
I like that mirror lake loop when it goes past the rockfall on the north side of it up against half dome. Check that out on a clear night with a full moon you'd swear your on it!! Great shots btw! Yosemite is good for the soul
Awesome video man! So many fun hikes in Yosemite. One place I’ve wanted to visit is the southern backcountry around Buena Vista Peak/ Lake and Royal Arch Lake. Can access from GP road or from Chilnualna Falls trail. Happy trails brother.
I have camped at both lakes for multiple days in early June in 1996. There was a lot of snow and No footprints. Total solitude. You can do a short easy cross country day hike to Minnow lake or bag Buena Vista peak. While hiking back down from BVP to Royal Arch, a Golden Eagle flew over the ridge about 20 feet from me and looked directly into my eyes. I’ll never forget that! I hope that you get to explore this area of the park!
Hey Nat! I got dropped off at Bridalveil campground by the Glacier Point bus. Got a wilderness permit for two weeks and explored the area. I had just finished a year of seasonal work at the NPS warehouse in El Portal. I ended the trip in Wawona and hitchhiked to Oakhurst after to stay with friends.
@@steveday6044 so cool Steve! I appreciate you sharing. I wish I had 2 weeks to spend in the backcountry but I’m more of a weekend warrior at this point with a wife and 3 kiddos. All the best and happy trails!
I was under the impression that shuttle service to Mirror Lake ended in the 1980's. You did mention it, so I guess they decided to start it back up again? BTW, today's Mirror Lake is a pond compared to the Mirror Lake of the 1970's. It's amazing how much of it has filled in. But, that's nature I guess. I was told that at one time they dredged it to keep it free of sand and debris, but that practice had ended by the time I arrived as a teen.
Did you know the entire east side of the valley was a shallow lake ? Mirror lake is the last remnant of that ancient body of water. Thanks for watching
Thanks for this video! What is the roundtrip in terms of mileage from north end of mirror lake to snow creek? I wanted to do it on my visit last month but I didn’t have enough water or my filter. Glad I didn’t wing it.
Your secret location is a beauty. Love the view from that spot. Just magical. One can spend a lifetime exploring Yosemite and not see it all. One of my favorite NP's.
Oh shucks, its no longer a secret. We discovered this trail and explored it when we were in our 70's & no longer could do the more strenuous hikes. We found that just going up to switchback 13 gave us a great view across the valley & that was as far as we ever went. Now we are in our
,mid 80's & can't even get to Yosemite. We never saw another person on the trail. In our 20's & 30's we backpacked all over the high country, but you have to accomodate an aging body. I have really bad arthritis so I had to stop hiking earlier. Bummer. Thanks for the lovely video.
I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m glad you made the most of your younger years. I’m trying to do as much as I can while I still can. Thanks for watching
I am in much better shape at age 61 than when I was 31. But I do wonder whether I could make this trail. I hiked all over Yosemite Valley as a teenager and, yes, went up those Half Dome cables as a teenager. It was the day and age when nobody dared to go up that Half Dome trail. My sisters and I had it all to myself. I'm at the age where I would love to start hiking again. But I do wonder whether I could do nine miles worth of hiking, especially when it comes to those famous Yosemite switchbacks!
I like that mirror lake loop when it goes past the rockfall on the north side of it up against half dome. Check that out on a clear night with a full moon you'd swear your on it!! Great shots btw! Yosemite is good for the soul
Thanks, will do!
Awesome video man! So many fun hikes in Yosemite. One place I’ve wanted to visit is the southern backcountry around Buena Vista Peak/ Lake and Royal Arch Lake. Can access from GP road or from Chilnualna Falls trail. Happy trails brother.
I have camped at both lakes for multiple days in early June in 1996. There was a lot of snow and No footprints. Total solitude. You can do a short easy cross country day hike to Minnow lake or bag Buena Vista peak. While hiking back down from BVP to Royal Arch, a Golden Eagle flew over the ridge about 20 feet from me and looked directly into my eyes. I’ll never forget that! I hope that you get to explore this area of the park!
@@steveday6044 what an awesome
Experience! Did you hike out of the Wawona area or from glacier point road?
Hey Nat! I got dropped off at Bridalveil campground by the Glacier Point bus. Got a wilderness permit for two weeks and explored the area. I had just finished a year of seasonal work at the NPS warehouse in El Portal. I ended the trip in Wawona and hitchhiked to Oakhurst after to stay with friends.
I spent the first nights at Ostrander and Hart lakes and then a little cross country down to Buena Vista creek and up to Buena Vista lake.
@@steveday6044 so cool Steve! I appreciate you sharing. I wish I had 2 weeks to spend in the backcountry but I’m more of a weekend warrior at this point with a wife and 3 kiddos. All the best and happy trails!
Love the vibe of your videos. We live nearby and love seeing some of your "undiscovered" suggestions.
Thanks, lots more to come
Caught and released huge rainbow trout in snow creek!
I was under the impression that shuttle service to Mirror Lake ended in the 1980's. You did mention it, so I guess they decided to start it back up again? BTW, today's Mirror Lake is a pond compared to the Mirror Lake of the 1970's. It's amazing how much of it has filled in. But, that's nature I guess. I was told that at one time they dredged it to keep it free of sand and debris, but that practice had ended by the time I arrived as a teen.
Did you know the entire east side of the valley was a shallow lake ?
Mirror lake is the last remnant of that ancient body of water. Thanks for watching
What is is that waterfall that was flowing back up? Omg wow❤
That was a seasonal waterfall that happens in spring to early summer. No name. Yosemite has hundreds of seasonal waterfalls that time of year
How does this compare in difficulty (strenuousness) to hiking to the top of Yosemite Falls?
Very similar in difficulty. Snow creek is longer because of the mirror lake section
@@yosemite-tv Thanks!
Thanks for this video! What is the roundtrip in terms of mileage from north end of mirror lake to snow creek? I wanted to do it on my visit last month but I didn’t have enough water or my filter. Glad I didn’t wing it.
Roughly 4-5miles road-trip from that point
That piece of music used at the end just ruined it for me😒
Sorry