Overview
The Mirror Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Mount Hood National Forest, and for good reason: a 3-mile round trip to a lake that reflects Hood's snow-capped summit is an accessible payoff for casual hikers. It's one of the most popular Government Camp hikes, and most visitors are unaware that continuing past the lake leads to a summit with dramatically better views. But most people stop at Mirror Lake, and in doing so they miss what the trail becomes above the lake: a sustained climb to the summit ridge of Tom Dick and Harry Mountain, where the view expands from a single volcanic reflection to a 360-degree panorama that stretches from Mount Jefferson in the south to Mount Rainier in the north.
Tom Dick and Harry Mountain (the name is not a joke; it dates to an early Forest Service survey, each bump on the ridge named for a surveyor) reaches 5,066 feet at its highest point. The rocky summit ridge runs east-west, and from the top you can see across the Sandy River Valley to Hood's south and southwest faces, down to the valley towns of Sandy and Estacada, and across to several other Cascade peaks on clear days. The full mountain-to-mountain view, Hood on one side, Jefferson in the distance on the other, with Adams and Rainier visible to the north, is one of the finest summit panoramas on any day hike in Oregon.
The trade-off is the distance and gain. At 8.8 miles round trip with 1,800 feet of gain, this is a real day hike. The trailhead at Government Camp starts at about 3,900 feet, so no significant acclimatization is required, but the sustained climb above Mirror Lake is steep and the upper ridge trail is rocky. Most fit hikers complete the round trip in 5 to 7 hours. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking, and the Mirror Lake Trailhead is one of the busiest on Mount Hood, so arrive early on summer weekends.
The Route
Miles 0 to 1.5: The Mirror Lake Trail starts from the US-26 parking lot in Government Camp and immediately begins climbing through mixed Douglas fir and mountain hemlock forest. The first 1.5 miles gain about 700 feet on a well-maintained, well-traveled trail. Camp Creek crosses the trail at roughly 0.5 miles, and the sound of the creek follows you through the lower section. The trail is rocky in places, with exposed roots and some muddy sections early in the season. At 1.5 miles, the trail levels briefly and the Mirror Lake basin comes into view.
Miles 1.5 to 2: Mirror Lake sits at about 4,500 feet in a bowl below the Tom Dick and Harry Mountain ridge. The classic view of Mount Hood reflected in the lake is from the far (south) shore, which the trail reaches by circling around the lake's east side. The reflection is best in calm morning conditions before afternoon wind disturbs the surface. A log at the south shore is the traditional seating spot for the classic photo. This is where the majority of hikers stop and turn around.
Miles 2 to 4.4: To continue to the summit, follow the trail signs from the Mirror Lake basin toward Tom Dick and Harry Mountain. The trail climbs steeply from the lake, gaining roughly 600 feet over the next 1.5 miles to reach the summit ridge at around 5,000 feet. This section is the most demanding of the hike: sustained steep climbing on a rocky trail through subalpine forest that opens progressively into low krummholz and then open ridge terrain. At the ridge, the trail follows the rocky crest eastward to the true summit, with views expanding at every step. The final approach to the summit is on open rock. Mount Hood rises directly to the north, dramatically close. The Sandy River Valley and the towns below are visible to the southwest. Jefferson appears to the south through Barlow Pass, and on clear days Adams and Rainier are visible to the north. Return the same way.
When to Visit
July: The trail is typically accessible by early July, though snow can persist on the upper ridge and summit area into mid-July. Early season hikers may need microspikes for the snow-covered upper trail. The Mirror Lake basin clears before the summit ridge in most years.
Late July through August: Peak season, with the best combination of clear trails, wildflowers in the lake basin, and long days. The Mirror Lake Trailhead fills by 9 AM on summer weekends. Arrive by 8 AM to guarantee parking. Afternoon clouds and occasional showers are common on Mount Hood through the summer; carry a rain layer.
September through October: The best conditions for the summit push. Crowds are significantly thinner after Labor Day, the heather around Mirror Lake turns red and gold, and the mountain views are at their clearest. Snow can arrive on the summit ridge in October; check conditions before late-season visits.
Winter: The trail is accessible in winter but requires appropriate gear. Snowshoes are typically needed from the trailhead up. The Mirror Lake basin in winter, with the lake frozen and Hood rising white above it, is spectacular. The summit ridge in winter is a different proposition: wind-exposed, icy, and requiring experience with winter mountaineering conditions. Most winter visitors stop at Mirror Lake.
Practical Details
Parking: Large paved lot at the Mirror Lake Trailhead on US-26 in Government Camp. Northwest Forest Pass required ($5/day or $30/year). The lot holds roughly 50 cars but fills early on summer weekends. Overflow parking on nearby Government Camp streets adds a short walk to the trailhead.
Permits: Northwest Forest Pass for parking. No trail permit or quota for this route.
Dogs: Allowed on leash throughout. Mirror Lake and the lower trail are suitable for most dogs. The rocky upper ridge and summit are manageable for fit, trail-experienced dogs. The summit is exposed and can be cold and windy; smaller dogs may struggle.
Water: Camp Creek in the lower section is a water source with a filter. Mirror Lake is another option. No water above the lake. Carry at least 2 liters from the trailhead for the full summit hike.
Facilities: Vault toilet at the trailhead. No facilities on the trail. Government Camp village (adjacent to the trailhead) has restaurants, a small grocery, and gear shops.
Crowds: The Mirror Lake Trailhead is one of the busiest in the Mount Hood area due to the lake's visual appeal and easy access from Portland. The upper trail above the lake is dramatically less crowded. If you're willing to push past Mirror Lake, you'll have the summit largely to yourself even on busy days.
Getting There
The Mirror Lake Trailhead is directly off US-26 in Government Camp, about 55 miles east of Portland. From Portland, take US-26 East through Sandy and continue into the mountains. Government Camp is the ski resort community just below Timberline Lodge; the Mirror Lake Trailhead is on the south side of US-26 at the west end of the village. Signed parking lot on the right (south) side of the highway. Drive time from Portland is approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on traffic.
From Hood River, take OR-35 South to US-26 West at the junction near Zigzag, then west to Government Camp. Total drive is about 45 miles and 1 hour from Hood River.
Government Camp has a gas station, restaurant, and small store. Rhododendron and Sandy, further west on US-26, have additional services. If you want to understand what sets national forests apart from state parks and national parks for recreation, see national forest vs. national park. Hikers making a full Hood weekend can also explore the Lost Lake Loop on the north side, one of the most family-friendly Hood trails, about 45 minutes from Government Camp.
The Bottom Line
Tom Dick and Harry Mountain is what the Mirror Lake hike becomes when you don't stop at the lake. The summit panorama, Hood looming to the north and Jefferson visible to the south, is one of the most satisfying views on any moderate-hard day hike in Oregon, and the fact that most hikers stop below it means the upper ridge is relatively quiet even when the lower trail is busy.
For a completely different summit experience on Hood, McNeil Point on the northwest shoulder is another high-ridge destination with a historic CCC shelter, approached via Lolo Pass Road rather than US-26. The Timberline Trail is the full 40-mile circumnavigation that passes through the terrain above Government Camp and gives context for where this hike fits on the mountain. For hikers who want something easier on the same day, Ramona Falls is about 30 minutes north of Government Camp and offers a very different forest experience along a 7-mile old-growth waterfall loop.