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Iron Spring
A rust-colored mineral spring with a curious past off the Mirror Lake Loop
About
Iron Spring is a small mineral spring on the south side of Tenaya Creek, southwest of Mirror Lake, marked by a reddish mound of iron oxide and lime carbonate built up around its vents. It is not a destination in its own right so much as a distinctive detail along the Mirror Lake Loop Trail, the kind of thing a slower walk through the Valley turns up.
What You're Looking At
The rust-orange staining comes from naturally carbonated water rich in iron and dissolved minerals, deposited over a long span of time as the spring seeps to the surface. Early surveyors took note of it: an 1883 Wheeler Survey map labeled it Chalybeate Spring (an old term for iron-bearing mineral water), and Yosemite Valley maps called it Mineral Spring before 1958.
Getting There
Reach the area via the Mirror Lake Loop, starting from shuttle stop 17. The first stretch is a paved, mostly flat walk of about 2 miles round trip to Mirror Lake itself; continuing on the unpaved loop that follows Tenaya Creek and crosses two bridges extends the outing to roughly 5 miles round trip. Mirror Lake carries the most water in spring and early summer as snowmelt feeds Tenaya Creek — by late summer and fall it's often a dry meadow.
A Bit of History
Old-time visitors reportedly drank the cold, tangy, naturally carbonated water and even used it in place of baking powder for biscuits and pancakes. A backcountry campsite once stood nearby along the old Mirror Lake Road. Treat that history as color, not an invitation — don't drink from untreated backcountry water sources today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Iron Spring in Yosemite Valley?
It sits on the south side of Tenaya Creek, southwest of Mirror Lake, just off the unpaved portion of the Mirror Lake Loop Trail.
How do I get to Iron Spring?
Start from shuttle stop 17 and follow the Mirror Lake Loop Trail. The paved section to the lake is about 2 miles round trip; continuing on the loop past the lake and along Tenaya Creek runs about 5 miles round trip total.
Is the water at Iron Spring safe to drink?
Historically visitors drank the naturally carbonated, iron-rich water and used it in baking, but it isn't monitored for drinking today — treat any untreated backcountry water source as unsafe.
Why does Iron Spring look rust-colored?
Mineral deposits, iron oxide, and lime carbonate have built up around the spring's vents over time, giving the ground its distinctive reddish-orange color.
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