Day 3- Mirror Lake and McGurt Meadow

9/3/20  For our last day on the trail, we hiked the Mirror Lake loop out to Tenaya Creek. Then later in the day we did a beautiful hike through McGurk meadow.
IMG_3860 On the morning of our last full day, we drove into the Valley and headed out towards Mirror Lake. Here we have nice views of North Dome and Washington Column as...
On the morning of our last full day, we drove into the Valley and headed out towards Mirror Lake. Here we have nice views of North Dome and Washington Column as…
IMG_3861 The whole group heading towards Mirror Lake.
The whole group heading towards Mirror Lake.
IMG_3874 Looking across the
Looking across the "lake" at Mt. Watkins. The lake has been getting progressively smaller over the years, especially during the drought. And this time of year,…
IMG_3866 Made it to the end of the loop at the Tenaya Creek bridge. This is actually the first time I've been all the way around the loop.
Made it to the end of the loop at the Tenaya Creek bridge. This is actually the first time I've been all the way around the loop.
IMG_3872 Time to stop for some lunch. We have to eat on the bridge in the sun because the gnats are swarming in the shade.
Time to stop for some lunch. We have to eat on the bridge in the sun because the gnats are swarming in the shade.
IMG_3868 Looking down Tenaya Creek towards Mirror Lake.
Looking down Tenaya Creek towards Mirror Lake.
IMG_6328 Dr. Rock and I standing on the dry lake bed as we head back down the other side of the loop.
Dr. Rock and I standing on the dry lake bed as we head back down the other side of the loop.
IMG_3876 Heading back to the car now for the classic Half Dome view from Curry Village (which can finally be called Curry Village again!)
Heading back to the car now for the classic Half Dome view from Curry Village (which can finally be called Curry Village again!)
IMG_3877 We stop at Tunnel View for the iconic view before heading back to the cabin. It's hazy, but much better than earlier in the week, and always awesome regardless.
We stop at Tunnel View for the iconic view before heading back to the cabin. It's hazy, but much better than earlier in the week, and always awesome regardless.
IMG_6345 Dr. Rock and I at the Tunnel View below Inspiration Point.
Dr. Rock and I at the Tunnel View below Inspiration Point.
IMG_3882 After a break at the cabin, we head out for a late afternoon hike to McGurt Meadow. We have a bit of a hard time finding the trail from the parking spot on...
After a break at the cabin, we head out for a late afternoon hike to McGurt Meadow. We have a bit of a hard time finding the trail from the parking spot on…
IMG_3883 The old cabin on the McGurt Meadow trail. Maybe Mr. McGurt's cabin?
The old cabin on the McGurt Meadow trail. Maybe Mr. McGurt's cabin?
IMG_3884 McGurt Meadow. Gorgeous, still green, perfect time of day, and the trail almost to ourselves.
McGurt Meadow. Gorgeous, still green, perfect time of day, and the trail almost to ourselves.
IMG_3890 Just the right amount of overgrown in places. It's nice to know that some trails in Yosemite Valley can still get overgrown!
Just the right amount of overgrown in places. It's nice to know that some trails in Yosemite Valley can still get overgrown!
IMG_3891 Awesome meadow trail.
Awesome meadow trail.
IMG_3894 Lots of painting worthy spots.
Lots of painting worthy spots.
IMG_3900 One last view of the meadow on the way back. I'm sweating it because I have to get Dr. Rock back to the cabin by 7:30 sharp for a birthday Zoom call, or else...
One last view of the meadow on the way back. I'm sweating it because I have to get Dr. Rock back to the cabin by 7:30 sharp for a birthday Zoom call, or else…