No photos, Bee, but it's a matter of remembering to pay attention during the descent. Ascent doesn't seem as bad. Once you've climbed the switchbacks above Mirror Lake you hit a relatively short slabby area. As you're climbing, the inclination to bear right and continue upward is normal and will lead you back onto the identifiable trail after you've crested the slabs.
Down is where it can get tricky. You're walking the trail downhill and you transition to unmarked granite. After a bit you need to swing left on the slabs and you'll soon pick up the trail again, heading down the switchbacks to the lake. Inertia and the lack of a clearly marked trail can cause hikers to just continue down the slabs in a straight line, missing that left turn, and the terrain gets progressively steeper. I would imagine that descending this area in the dark can be sketchy.
Like wbtravis, I've learned to pay attention here. I've also found myself scratching my head and wondering what the hell happened.
And kudos to Salty for his proactive approach to this situation. That could easily have been the difference between life and death.
