April 19, 2017 - Yosemite Valley, Mirror Lake

Title: April 19, 2017 - Yosemite Valley, Mirror Lake
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Animals 

Trail head: Mirror Lake Tram Stop 19

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Mirror Lake Loop

Destination:  Ahwahnee Hotel

Distance:  7.27 miles

Start Time: 10:52

End Time:     3:12

Travel Time:   4:19 (1.68 mph)

Moving Time:  3:32  (2.06 mph)

Elevation Rise:  962'

Maximum Elevation: 4,249'
 GPS Tracks

Staircase Falls

Description:

This is to be a short hike, about 5-6 miles around Mirror Lake and then to the Ahwahnee. The idea is that we have a friend who has not been able to get out, but who loves the outdoors. Her husband (and her) hikes with us, or more accurately, we hike with them.  So Sherri, Betty and Rebecca devised a plan to get Cathey up to Yosemite and wander around the visitor center, museum, shops and cemetery in the Valley. Not be outdone, I invited a couple of John’s friends-Jerry and Roger to go with John and I for a hike around Mirror Lake.

Tenaya Creek

We meet at 7:30 and head up to Yosemite.A quick stop at Chinquapin before hitting Camp Curry. Staircase Falls is running full.  There we tried to hop on a tram to go to the Mirror Lake stop to start our hike. But the tram was full, so we walked up the road to Happy Isles. There we caught a tram over to the Mirror Lake stop, #19. We got a hint of what we are in for today.There is water running down the side of the road and we see the Merced River running swiftly and vigorously. Sounds like a start of  an amazing day.

Now we head north along the east side of Mirror Lake. We take turns walking with each other. There is something special about the companionship along a path which is almost like kinship. There are many more people today than the last time I walked it last month. 

Jerry at the Ahwiyah rockfall with Mt Watkins

When we get to Mirror Lake, we see that the lake is full and overflowing its sandy banks. The rapid moving water creates ripples on the surface so there is not much of a mirror today.  Still it is good to see the water here after so many years of it drying up sooner than it should.

We continue our walk on the east side, slowly climbing, nothing strenuous. We stop to ponder the Ahwiyah rockfall. Then we spot water coming down the Wall of Death under Half Dome. Just so jaw dropping amazing. When we finally get to the bridge across the Tenaya, we wonder how we would have crossed without it.

Our trail, a pool of water

One thing I did not mention was that this trail was akin to an obstacle course. First there was fallen trees to play limbo under. Or trees to go over or around. But no obstacle course can be without the water trap and there were some good ones.

Tenaya Creek from the bridge

Now it is back to Mirror Lake on the west side of the canyon. Just plain old walking and enjoying. When we get to Mirror Lake, we stop for a few minutes for snacks and lunch. We decide that maybe following the Valley loop trail may not be so good of an idea with Royal Arches Falls running so full. Last month when we went by the drainage for the falls, some people felt the runoff was a bit much for them. we do take the horse trail a ways down until we meet the outhouse. Then, we follow a bike path until we hit the Merced River. From there we cut over to the Ahwahnee.

Once at the Ahwahnee, we find out that the other contingent is going to the Yosemite Lodge for some eats. So we board the tram and head there, taking 10-15 minutes. Once there, we all enjoy our meal after a fun and good day. We all return via the tram to the Curry Village parking lot and pour into our cars. But there is one more thing I wanted to show them. As we go down Northside Drive, we stop a couple of miles after Camp 4 at a turn out. We go to a spot, and there is Horsetail Falls. Maybe not as exciting as in February, but it is a glorious way to end our day in the Valley. 

 

Horsetail Falls

Extra Photo's

Washington Column

Royal Arches Falls

Half Dome hiding behind a cloud

Animals