Mirror Lake (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mirror Lake |
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Mirror Lake, March 2010
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 Mirror Lake
Location in California
Mirror Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°44′55″N 119°32′57″W / 37.7485°N 119.5491°W |
| Primary inflows | Tenaya Creek |
| Primary outflows | Tenaya Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 4,098 ft (1,249 m) |
Mirror Lake is a special place in Yosemite National Park. It's a small lake that changes with the seasons. You can find it in Tenaya Canyon, right between two famous rock formations: North Dome and Half Dome. This lake is a reminder of a huge ancient lake that once filled much of Yosemite Valley.
Discovering Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is located in the beautiful Yosemite National Park in California, USA. It sits at an elevation of about 4,098 feet (1,249 meters) above sea level. The lake gets its water from Tenaya Creek, which flows into and out of it.
A Seasonal Wonder
Mirror Lake is known for being a "seasonal" lake. This means its size changes a lot throughout the year.
- In the spring, when snow melts from the mountains, the lake is usually full and deep.
- During the summer and fall, the water level often drops. Sometimes, it becomes more like a wide, shallow part of the creek.
- Because it can be so shallow, the lake often perfectly reflects the giant cliffs and trees around it. This is how it got its name, "Mirror Lake."
A Glimpse into the Past
Mirror Lake is actually the last small piece of a much larger lake. Thousands of years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, huge glaciers covered this area. As these glaciers melted, they carved out Yosemite Valley and created a massive lake. This ancient lake was much bigger and deeper than anything you see today.
Over a very long time, sediment (like sand, mud, and rocks) has been carried into the lake by Tenaya Creek. This sediment slowly fills up the lake bed. Mirror Lake is getting smaller and shallower because of this natural process. Scientists believe that one day, it might completely disappear and become just a meadow with Tenaya Creek flowing through it.
Visiting Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is a popular spot for visitors to Yosemite National Park. It's an easy and mostly flat walk or bike ride to get there.
- Many people enjoy walking around the lake on the paved path.
- It's a great place for photography, especially when the water is calm and clear.
- The area around the lake is also a good spot for picnicking and enjoying nature.
