October 17, 2023
Valley Loop, East Section, Yosemite National Park
Total distance walked: 4.2 miles

Two weeks ago, four of us walked the middle section of the Valley Loop Trail. Today, my sister and I were back in Yosemite walking the east section of that trail.

We picked up the trail at Church Bowl where we heard the voices of unseen climbers. Church Bowl is a popular rock-climbing area. I don’t know much about rock climbing, but I do know that each route has a name. Of Church Bowl’s many routes, these few seem to have a theme: Book of Revelation, Revival, Tammy Faye, and 700 Club.

Fallen leaves from a canopy of trees lined the path on the route we chose to walk.

We headed toward Mirror Lake which is nestled in the shadow of Half Dome.

The water in Mirror Lake was shallow despite the fact that there was an immense snowpack this year. Maybe because of the immense snowpack, there was still water.

We admired the reflection of the prow of Mt. Watkins.

Moving along the dry shore in an unhurried way, we took in the grandeur of our surroundings.

Situated across from the lake is a cairn colony. The National Park Service prohibits cairns except for use as trail markers. Nonetheless, each time I visit Mirror Lake, there is a new set of rock stacks.

Heading back, we walked on the road next to the slow-moving creek as it coursed towards the Valley to join the Merced River. In the autumn air, the trees were beginning to change color.

Though Yosemite can be quite crowded in popular areas, this was a tranquil walk through its lovely scenery.