Noah (Oregon) - Jan 30, 2023 12:01 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2023
West Summit?
The summit ridge west of the true summit has some nice viewpoints (especially on a clear day like yesterday). But given the mix of new snow, very high winds, and super cold temps, most people were turning back at the "west summit" rather than crossing to the true summit (800m further?). It was an epic day to be in the mountains though because the wind was raging!
p.s. I did it as a run from Skibowl main lodge via Mirror Lake (1:45 total time for 7.5 miles and just over 1500ft. of gain).
Dayhike from the standard trailhead, including small loop around Mirror Lake.
iditarod81 - Sep 7, 2017 5:36 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2017
Fun with friends
Great hike with our son and friends and their daughter. Enjoyed the forested trail up and views of Hood on top!
Pallando - May 16, 2017 3:36 am Date Climbed: May 15, 2017
Mid-May snow tromp
After canceling a St. Helens trip due to avalanche warning, we went in search for something we could sleep in and still get our blood flowing. Views were clouded over, but even the base of Hood and Jefferson made the trip up worth it.
Kemp - Oct 22, 2016 12:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2016
Tom Dick and Harry
I had hiked to the very popular Mirror Lake before and then months later I finally did the mountain hike. Very foggy so no views that day.
Gregpdx - Dec 3, 2014 8:28 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2014
Foggy, then cleared away for great view
Great views from the top after the fog cleared away.
PhenomenalWoman - Nov 25, 2013 12:37 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2013
Almost stormed off
Started up in relatively foggy weather, which eventually turned into mist, and then a light rain. Made it to the rock pile as thunder rolled in, but no lightening, and rain was still light. Kept going, and as I made final approach, ridge and summit cleared. Beautiful views of Mt. Hood all to myself.
bblack99 - Oct 10, 2008 1:00 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2008
Nice views?
I chose this as one of my few hikes on my first trip to the Pacific Northwest based on the views of Mt. Hood. Just my luck, I made it up to Mirror Lake and couldn't see more than 100 feet due to dense fog/clouds. I continued on a bit, but decided there wasn't much point as the visibility never improved and turned back.
It's a nice trail with an eerie feeling at first, as the sounds of highway fade away and a damp, mossy, thick forest surrounds you. I can only imagine how great the views would be with nice weather!
BCJ - Sep 11, 2008 12:17 am Date Climbed: Nov 30, 2007
Nice winter hike
This trail gets so much year-round use that you can hike to the top on a well-packed trail without needing snowshoes even in January (as long as it's been about two days since a big snowfall). Very scenic in the winter.
Heh, You can also ride the ski lift up from ski bowl for some access the slackcountry, and skin all the way to all three summits.
This is a good alternative if you are skiing at Skibowl, and want to get away from the crowds... I reccomend AT/ Splitboard/Tele with skins, because there will be some uphill travel from the highest point where the lift drops off... Unless you like snowshoes....
An easy winter hike or a short burn up the snow slopes. Watch out for falling humans from above. My friend wanted to stay on the summit an stare at Hood, so he dug a wind break pit with chairs in about 10 minutes. We stayed warm for an hour while party after party stayed for less than 5 minutes on the summit.
mrbynum - Jul 26, 2007 5:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
Route: Mirror Lake Trail, Date: 6/30/2007
After taking several weeks off from hiking this was a great short hike to get back onto the trails. We started around 9:30, hit the lake before 10:00 where we downed a fruit leather and continued on to make the summit by 11:15. The weather was perfectly in the mid 60's with very few clouds in the sky, highly conducive to napping and a slow lunch. It was an easy 1 hour decent past the hoards of people headed to the lake.
Having done this climb on snowshoes in January of 2006, it was fun have the contrasting summer experience.
M and N Denyer - Nov 2, 2006 9:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2006
Nice hike
Did this pleasant hike with our friends from England.
Perfect day hike from 26. Swam in Mirror Lake to cool off-wonderful.
outdoorgirl - Apr 15, 2006 9:51 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2006
Windy at the Top!
After driving past this trail so many times on the way to go skiing, I was really suprised how beautiful the snow covered lake was! Deep snow on the way to the top, and quite a windy day -would like to go back in the summer to see the different views!
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: January 29th 2006
The trail to Mirror Lake was packed enough snow shoes were not needed. We put our shoes on at the lake, cut through the forest in about 6-8 inches of new snow, and climbed the north ridge. The conditions were windy & snowy. We forgot our masks & goggles so we were blind till we got to the mini forest just below the summit. The forest provided good shelter from the wind. The new snow was 20" deep and heavy. The summit was very windy.
Route Climbed: Mirror Lake Trail Date Climbed: December 1999
My wife and I snowshoed to the summit via the standard route and had no problems, loved the view and hoped to come back soon. We haven't gone back yet but that's because they don't make snowshoes that will fit our infant.
I did go back with some friends and climbed the left (East) side (facing the mountain) of the bowl straight up from the lake. This was a better, more interesting route but seemed unsafe from an avalanche point of view.
Noah (Oregon) - Jan 30, 2023 12:01 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2023
West Summit?The summit ridge west of the true summit has some nice viewpoints (especially on a clear day like yesterday). But given the mix of new snow, very high winds, and super cold temps, most people were turning back at the "west summit" rather than crossing to the true summit (800m further?). It was an epic day to be in the mountains though because the wind was raging!
p.s. I did it as a run from Skibowl main lodge via Mirror Lake (1:45 total time for 7.5 miles and just over 1500ft. of gain).
calipidder - Sep 9, 2022 1:24 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2022
Great view of Mt HoodDayhike from the standard trailhead, including small loop around Mirror Lake.
iditarod81 - Sep 7, 2017 5:36 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2017
Fun with friendsGreat hike with our son and friends and their daughter. Enjoyed the forested trail up and views of Hood on top!
Pallando - May 16, 2017 3:36 am Date Climbed: May 15, 2017
Mid-May snow trompAfter canceling a St. Helens trip due to avalanche warning, we went in search for something we could sleep in and still get our blood flowing. Views were clouded over, but even the base of Hood and Jefferson made the trip up worth it.
Kemp - Oct 22, 2016 12:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2016
Tom Dick and HarryI had hiked to the very popular Mirror Lake before and then months later I finally did the mountain hike. Very foggy so no views that day.
Gregpdx - Dec 3, 2014 8:28 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2014
Foggy, then cleared away for great viewGreat views from the top after the fog cleared away.
PhenomenalWoman - Nov 25, 2013 12:37 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2013
Almost stormed offStarted up in relatively foggy weather, which eventually turned into mist, and then a light rain. Made it to the rock pile as thunder rolled in, but no lightening, and rain was still light. Kept going, and as I made final approach, ridge and summit cleared. Beautiful views of Mt. Hood all to myself.
bblack99 - Oct 10, 2008 1:00 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2008
Nice views?I chose this as one of my few hikes on my first trip to the Pacific Northwest based on the views of Mt. Hood. Just my luck, I made it up to Mirror Lake and couldn't see more than 100 feet due to dense fog/clouds. I continued on a bit, but decided there wasn't much point as the visibility never improved and turned back.
It's a nice trail with an eerie feeling at first, as the sounds of highway fade away and a damp, mossy, thick forest surrounds you. I can only imagine how great the views would be with nice weather!
BCJ - Sep 11, 2008 12:17 am Date Climbed: Nov 30, 2007
Nice winter hikeThis trail gets so much year-round use that you can hike to the top on a well-packed trail without needing snowshoes even in January (as long as it's been about two days since a big snowfall). Very scenic in the winter.
OJ Loenneker - Jan 28, 2008 3:49 pm
If you are lazy...Heh, You can also ride the ski lift up from ski bowl for some access the slackcountry, and skin all the way to all three summits.
This is a good alternative if you are skiing at Skibowl, and want to get away from the crowds... I reccomend AT/ Splitboard/Tele with skins, because there will be some uphill travel from the highest point where the lift drops off... Unless you like snowshoes....
Stu Brandel - Dec 30, 2007 7:54 pm
Only to Tom - 1985Got to first summit (Tom?) but could not coax my smoker co-worker any further. Still, a great view and fun hike.
dresser - Sep 24, 2007 7:11 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2005
Mirror Lake HikeGreat view at the top.
YEM - Aug 22, 2007 3:13 am
Mirror Lake TrailAn easy winter hike or a short burn up the snow slopes. Watch out for falling humans from above. My friend wanted to stay on the summit an stare at Hood, so he dug a wind break pit with chairs in about 10 minutes. We stayed warm for an hour while party after party stayed for less than 5 minutes on the summit.
mrbynum - Jul 26, 2007 5:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
Route: Mirror Lake Trail, Date: 6/30/2007After taking several weeks off from hiking this was a great short hike to get back onto the trails. We started around 9:30, hit the lake before 10:00 where we downed a fruit leather and continued on to make the summit by 11:15. The weather was perfectly in the mid 60's with very few clouds in the sky, highly conducive to napping and a slow lunch. It was an easy 1 hour decent past the hoards of people headed to the lake.
Having done this climb on snowshoes in January of 2006, it was fun have the contrasting summer experience.
M and N Denyer - Nov 2, 2006 9:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2006
Nice hikeDid this pleasant hike with our friends from England.
thetathrees - Apr 17, 2006 8:15 pm
Fun climb, beautiful viewsPerfect day hike from 26. Swam in Mirror Lake to cool off-wonderful.
outdoorgirl - Apr 15, 2006 9:51 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2006
Windy at the Top!After driving past this trail so many times on the way to go skiing, I was really suprised how beautiful the snow covered lake was! Deep snow on the way to the top, and quite a windy day -would like to go back in the summer to see the different views!
Karl Helser - Jan 30, 2006 8:47 am
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: January 29th 2006The trail to Mirror Lake was packed enough snow shoes were not needed. We put our shoes on at the lake, cut through the forest in about 6-8 inches of new snow, and climbed the north ridge. The conditions were windy & snowy. We forgot our masks & goggles so we were blind till we got to the mini forest just below the summit. The forest provided good shelter from the wind. The new snow was 20" deep and heavy. The summit was very windy.
jstownsley - Dec 5, 2005 9:41 pm
Route Climbed: Roughly the Mirror Lake trail Date Climbed: Dec 4th 2005Beautiful day, lots of powder. Brother and I blazed the last 1/2 mile of trail... you're welcome.
Pictures are here: http://flickr.com/photos/jstownsley/tags/tomdickandharry120405
Noah (Oregon) - May 26, 2005 12:33 pm
Route Climbed: Mirror Lake Trail Date Climbed: December 1999My wife and I snowshoed to the summit via the standard route and had no problems, loved the view and hoped to come back soon. We haven't gone back yet but that's because they don't make snowshoes that will fit our infant.
I did go back with some friends and climbed the left (East) side (facing the mountain) of the bowl straight up from the lake. This was a better, more interesting route but seemed unsafe from an avalanche point of view.