Mirror Lake-Yosemite-4,104' (Half Dome, Yosemite)
(37.7485°N 119.5491°W)
Description:
“Wai-ack was the name for ‘Mirror Lake,’ as well as for the mountain it so perfectly reflected. The lake itself was not particularly attractive or remarkable, but in the early morning, before the breeze swept up the cañon, the reflections were so perfect, especially of what is now known as Mt. Watkins, that even our scouts called our attention to it by pointing and exclaiming: ‘Look at Wai-ack,’ interpreted to mean the ‘Water Rock.’ This circumstance suggested the name of ‘Mirror Lake.’ The name was opposed by some, upon the ground that all still water was a mirror. My reply established the name. It was that other conditions, such as light and shade, were required, as when looking into a well, the wall of the Half Dome perfecting the conditions, and that when shown another pool that was more deserving, we would transfer the name. Captain Boling approved the name, and it was so called by the battalion.” (Bunnell: Discovery of the Yosemite, 1890, p. 204.)
“This lake was so named by Mr. C. H. Spencer, of Utica, New York (one of my comrades); and, shaded as it is by the Half Dome on the southeast and by Clouds Rest on the east, there may be seen reflected from its still water the most remarkable scenery and double sunrise in the world.” (Bunnell, in Biennial Report of the Commissioners to Manage Yosemite Valley, 1889-90, p. 11.)
Hutchings says the Indian name was Ah-wi-yah. (Scenes of Wonder and Curiosity in California, 1860, p. 102.) Whitney calls it Waiya. (Yosemite Guide Book, 1870, p. 17.) Powers says A-wai'a. ( Tribes of California, in Contributions to North American Ethnology, III, 1877, p. 365.)
Place Names of the High Sierra (1926) by Francis P. Farquhar
MIRROR LAKE—The small lake in the mouth of Tenaya Canyon near the east end of Yosemite Valley, so named because of the reflection of Mt. Watkins on its surface. The name was first suggested by Bunnell but was objected to by others. Bunnell said that if a more approprite name was found that it could be rechristened. It was called on the back of an old stero photo “the toilet glass of Yosemite.”
The Indian name is commonly given as “Wai-ack”, meaning “water rock,” and was sometimes applied to Mt, Watkins too (see Mt. Watkins). Bancroft in his early guide book, and Hutchings, give the name “Ke-ko-too-yem” which they translate as meaning “sleeping waters”.
Yosemite Valley Place Names (1955) by Richard J. Hartesveldt
Trips:
- April 22, 2014 - Meetup group hike around the east Yosemite Valley loop
- December 6, 2014 - day hike
- April 11, 2015 - Meetup day hike around the East end of the Valley
- November 11, 2015 - Meetup day hike around the East end of the Valley
- April 23, 2016 - Meetup hike around the east end of the valley
- October 15, 2016 - Meetup hike around the east end of Yosemite Valley
- October 22, 2016 - Walking Mirror Lake Loop
- March 12, 2017 - Meetup hike around the east end of Yosemite Valley
- April 19, 2017 - Day Hike with John, Roger and Jerry
- March 10, 2018 - Day hike around the east end of Yosemite Valley with Meetup group
- May 4, 2019 - Meetup hike around the east end of Yosemite Valley
- October 14, 2020 - Hiking the Mirror Lake Loop-Sherri, Gary and Rose
- May 10, 2023 -Went there with Jessi, Sherri and Gary
References:
Pictures:
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| March 12, 2017 |
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| March 12, 2017 |
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| March 12, 2017 |
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| April 19, 2017 |
May 10, 2023 - Mirror Lake with Mt Watkins
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