Gary-Summer: October 14, 2020

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

October 14, 2020 - Mirror Lake Loop

Title: October 14, 2020 - Mirror Lake Loop
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Trail head: Backpacker ’s Parking Lot in Yosemite Valley

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Mirror Lake Loop

Destination: Tenaya Creek Trail Bridge

Distance: 7.84 miles

Start Time: 11:57

End Time: 5:24

Travel Time: 5:27 (1.44 mph)

Moving Time: 4:28 (1.75 mph)

Elevation Rise: 812'

Descent: 672‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,198'

GPS Tracks

Description:

A couple of weeks ago, Sherri and Rose connected. She and Shawn were going to go hiking in Yosemite on October 14th and were wondering if we wanted to come. It did not take us long to say YES. But a couple of days ago Shawn found out she needed to work that day, so we do not have the blessing of being with her.

Things got off a bit slow. We left about 15 minutes after we thought we were going to. Then when we stopped to get gas, we realized we forgot a camera, so back home we went. We finally got to Rose’s place a little after 9:00. We stopped and chatted with Jeff, Rose’s husband, and then off by 9:30.

The trip up was good. We travel in separate cars-Rose in one and Sherri and I in another-you know, pandemic precautions. We stop at Chinquipin to refresh ourselves. And then off to the Valley. While not crystal clear, it is a lot better than the pictures I have been seeing. We end up at the backpacker’s parking lot, about 11:30-a little late, leaving not a lot of time to doddle. We get ready to go, boots on, hiking poles extended and all of that.

Just before noon, we talk off, not on the trail which goes beside the road, but one less travelled. This one goes a bit south and comes in at the back of the Happy Isles restroom. There we take our last break before heading out. It is good to be out walking again. And it is even better being with our friend.

We take off on the east end of the Valley Loop which connects Happy Isles with Mirror Lake. Just pleasant walking. I am up ahead of Rose and Sherri, not because I am faster, but because I suspect that I may be a drag on the other two. I cannot say I feel good, but I am moving pretty steadily.

The Autumn colors are mixed. Yellows with purples, some orange, not many reds, and the broadleaves having a fair amount of green. Almost makes it look Christmasish. A fine thing to look at and enjoy, not to mention as a clandestine mini-break.

We look at Tenaya Creek as it goes under the historic bridge. It is only a trickle now, not what I am used to seeing. We start our trek around Mirror Lake, or likely the Sands of the Mirror, as that is all which we are likely to find. But as we start on our way, we enjoy more Fall colors. I think that will be the theme of this walk.

Over all we climb about 800’, but spread over almost 8 miles. But this section before Mirror Lake has always done a number. It is not long, nor is there uddles of gain, it just seems like it does. The trail has a lot of cobblestone on the steeper stretches. Over time it has grown a bit slick. Some people coming down warn me about the slickness, but I have been on these when they are wet, so I know.

When we get to what should be Mirror Lake, but what I am calling the Sand of the Mirror, we stop for lunch. It is a pleasant enough spot. We enjoy our lunch, gazing across at North Dome. A squirrel is very determined to get one of our lunches, but fails. I suspect it is a rare failure on his part.

We continue our way around the loop. We have only come about two and half miles, so we have a ways to go before completing our walk. But the next several miles are the really good part, the part where people do not come very often. Several years ago, a “chip” fell from Ahwiyah Point creating a devstation field, trees chopped off 20’ above the ground, boulders strunin everywhere. A chip may be a misnomer as the rockfall was 115,000 tons. That would hurt if it fell on me. But in the 10 years since it fell, there is life returning, creating a great autumn scene.

Autumn Colors on north side of Tenaya Creek

After we pass through the rockfall area, we come to where the part of the forest has a mixture of evergreens and broadleaf trees. This along with the brush and grasses all show colors of autumn. The south-east side of Tenaya Creek Is a close packed kaleidoscope of color, steadily rising. Sherri and Rose stop often and enjoy. I am concentrating on just having enough stamina to make it to the bridge over the creek. This means I get to rest for about 10 minutes and enjoy the sunshine and the color. On the other hand, they enjoy each other and are able to ponder the gifts of God given to them. Each wins.

We spend a few minutes by the Tenaya Hiking Bridge, then continue on. On this side of the creek, there is more of a feeling of openness, particularly as we move away from the water sources. There seems to be more redness from the scene. Maybe the light is filtered differently, maybe the bark of the cedars reflect a different pigment, or there is more smoke in the air. Whatever it is, there is a difference in hue.

Military Helicopter

I am getting a bit tired. This is the longest I have hiked in many a month. Still it is good to be out there. I should also say that the Tenaya Creek is hardly running-only a trickle. Coming down the north side of the creek, we hear a helicopter overhead. Not sure if this is the same one as we have been hearing off and on all morning. When we look up, we see three of them. I have my little radio tuned to the Park frequencies and hear a dialogue between one of the people on the ground and the Park office. The person asks if they knew about three military helicopters which have flown over the Valley. No. I guess that sort of explains whose helicopters these are, but not what they are doing.

As we get close to Mirror Lake, there is a person on a bicycle on the trail. This is beyond where it says no bikes. But he is convinced the sign does not apply to him since it is his bike, not a rental. While there is a sign below which says that, but there are signs at the beginning of the trail which bans all bikes. Each of us says something which indicates our displeasure. About a hundred yards later, we stop and talk with a photographer. He has had the same conversation.

North Dome Catching Evening Sun

We walk the roadway for the next mile, then along a trail next to the Merced. Like the Tenaya, it is hardly running. Not low enough that we would want to venture across it, but we could if we needed to. Too much cobblestone. One of us would be sure to twist an ankle.

We get back to the cars about 5:20.I for one am a bit tired. But it has been a day which was good for me. I think we do not want to leave Rose, as we seem to hang around for a while. Just glad to have been able to walk with her. On the way back to Fresno, we stop in Oakhurst at Carl’s Jr for a meal. Not as good as our bodies wanted, still it fed us. We got back home around 8:00pm.