October 27, 2012
Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park
Total distance walked:  5.5 miles

The southern section of the loop trail encircling Mirror Lake has reopened after being closed for three and a half years due to the Ahwiyah Point rockfall. In March 2009, a rockfall near Half Dome fell around 1,800 feet, generating an impact similar to a 2.4 magnitude earthquake.

Having only explored the northern part of the trail to Mirror Lake, I was eager to try the newly built path on the other side. So, Chris and I set off for a walk in the park.

We found a parking spot near Ahwahnee Meadow and strolled under the warm sun across the soft, dormant grassland, speckled with tall milkweed.

We walked in the cool shade, weaving through the forest scattered with boulders, observing rock climbers as they challenged themselves on the towering granite monoliths.

We walked along the paved bicycle path beneath a canopy of vibrant trees, then ascended alongside Tenaya Creek. The dry creek bed foreshadowed the conditions we would encounter ahead.

We moved to the side as a string of mules ambled up the damp path, their riders pleased to test the newly reopened path without the strain of an uphill trek.

We arrived at the lake at the foot of Half Dome, but Chris didn’t recognize our location until he started reading the informational panels. I neglected to inform him that “lake” was somewhat of a misnomer. Often times Mirror Lake resembles a pond. It is essentially a broad stretch of Tenaya Creek.

In this photo of Mirror Lake taken in May 2012, there is plenty of water.

As summer wanes and autumn progresses, the lake becomes merely a dry basin in anticipation of winter’s rains.

When the rain finally comes, the lake fills up again. This photo was taken in January 2011.

Although we didn’t make it to the Ahwiyah Point rockfall, Chris and I had a pleasant walk in the park. We wrapped up the day with drinks and a late lunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel.