Yosemite Valley
Length: 2 miles to the lake, 5 miles around the lake/ 1 to 2 hours
Highlights: Insanely beautiful views of Mirror Lake and Half Dome.
Good For: Easy hike, perfect for a mild mid-morning walk about before lunch. Serene environment provides excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife. Also a great trail for snow shoeing in the winter. Leashed pooches are welcome on the the trail leading up to the lake.
Directions: Start on the trialhead behind the Ahwahnee hotel. Head to your left ad follow the paved trail over two stone bridges up to the lake. During the winter months it can be easy to lose the trail in the snow, so pay attention to the trail markers and stick to the trail on the right.
Both times that I have been on the trail it has been in the middle of winter. If you can stand the cold, I think that this is one of the most beautiful trails that can be done in Yosemite during the winter months. Even if there is a lot of snow present, the trail remains open and is an easy hike because of the width of the trail. It begins and ends at the Ahwahnee hotel so you can always quickly warm up afterwards with a hot cocoa and a seat in front of one of their huge fireplaces.
