Trails and Tales of Yosemite
and the Central Sierra
A Guide for Hikers and History Buffs

by Sharon Giacomazzi

Sharon Giacomazzi loves to tell history tales and she loves to hike. She combines these passions in an enthralling guide to the glorious Central Sierra, presenting more than 60 fun excursions. The book's five sections, Gold Country, Western Slope, Yosemite Valley, Other Yosemite Park, and Eastern Sierra, are made richer with their fascinating historical context, and Sharon is a born storyteller who makes history fun.

You'll find ghost towns, waterfalls, wildflowers, Sequoia groves, historic roads, hot springs, river canyons, lakes, mountain peaks, and railroads, both excursion trains and historic lines long gone.

While Sharon includes some of the popular hikes, she also leads you to destinations off the beaten path, hidden corners in Yosemite Valley and the surrounding popular region. She emphasizes easy day hikes, but you'll also find peaks to climb, places to backpack, and resorts where you can just relax amidst scenic grandeur.

304 pages, 6" x 9", full-color cover, 59 historic and scenic photographs, 38 maps by Marsha Mello, bibliography, index, 2001.
New printing with updates for 2004.
ISBN 0-939431-25-4  trade paper

“Giacomazzi's enthusiasm for the world she writes about [Eastern Sierra canyons] is so infectious that her guidebooks are that rare thing: guidebooks that are actually a pleasure to read. And they are packed with useful information and historical lore, especially for the hiker new or relatively new to the Eastern Sierra.”
Michael Loughman, The Inyo Register

“I have read a lot and I mean a lot of Yosemite books . . . huge history buff! Your book is absolutely wow wow. I'm speechless! I can’t put it down once I start reading it. I am the guy who reads your book . . . jumps on a motorcycle heads out with a backpack and wants to explore everything. Your book is amazing I cannot say it enough. ÊI mean from John Muir’s mossy boulder to the history of Hornitos. I share your enthusiasm right down to every word. Thanks for a great book! It is my intent to visit every spot!
I just wanted to say again how great this book is it makes me come alive!”
~D

Price: $17.50

From the back cover:

Explore the majestic Central Sierra and learn its fascinating history

This truly one-of-a-kind guide leads you to more than 60 of the best walks and hikes among the spectacular scenery of Yosemite Park and the surrounding Sierra, an area larger than MaryLand and Delaware combined. This comprehensive book features the Less traveled traiLs as weLL as some popular classics.

Trails & Tales of Yosemite & the Central Sierra will guide you to the best Sequoia groves, hidden waterfalls, most gorgeous canyons and wildflower blooms, most rewarding peaks to climb and other superb adventures.

Whether you're an avid hiker or a casual walker, you'll find the trails coming to life as Sharon Giacomazzi interweaves them with their historical context. She spins enthralling tales of native peoples, early explorers, Gold Rush mining, pioneer lumbering, early railroads, John Muir's adventures, and more.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND INSIDE:

• 60 plus hikes of all levels covering more than 350 miles Year-round hiking choices in the Gold Country, Yosemite Park, adjacent national forests, and the Eastern Sierra
• 38 clear and detailed maps
• 60 photos and illustrations, including 34 classic historical images
• A wealth of lively history & fascinating tales

From the Table of Contents:

Foreword by Caetlin O'Riordan   9

Map of the Central Sierra   10

Introduction   11

How to Use This Book   13

Map Legend   14

The Dangers: Hiker's Ten Commandments   15

The Climate   17

I. Gold Country

Introduction: Off to See the Elephant   19

1. Murphys & Calaveras Big Trees State Park   23

2. Jamestown & the Sierra Railway   29

3. Bagby & the Merced River Trail   33

4. Merced River Trail Ramble    38

5. Hornitos   43

6. Legend of Mount Ophir   48

7. Fremont Peak 54

8. Big Table Mountain Preserve   60

II. Western Slope: Trails North, West and South of Yosemite

Introduction: Waving Seas of Evergreens   63

9. Exploring Alpine County: PCT to Noble Lake   65

10. Clavey River & God's Bath    70

11. Bourland Trestle & the West Side Lumber Co. Railroad   75

12. Lake Eleanor & Preston Falls   81

13. Peach & Fig Growers Railroad   86

14. Rainbow Pool on the South Fork Tuolumne River   91

15. Wonders of Bower Cave & the North Fork Merced River Trail   97

16. Muir's Mossy Boulder on the Upper North Fork Merced River   102

17. Hite's Cove on the South Fork Merced River Trail   106

18. Yosemite Mountain-Sugar Pine Railroad    111

19. Lewis Creek National Scenic Trail   115

20. Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoias    118

21. Willow Creek Trail: Angel Falls & Devil's Slide    122

22. Jackass Lakes in Ansel Adams Wilderness    126

23. Mono Hot Springs & Doris & Tule Lakes   130

III. Yosemite National Park/ Yosemite Valley

Introduction: The Incomparable Valley   135

Visiting Yosemite Valley   135

A Capsule History of Yosemite   136

24. Artist Point & Artist Thomas Hill   140

25. Inspiration Point & Artist Thomas Ayres   144

26. Hiking Old Big Oak Flat Road to Rainbow View   149

27. Ahwahnee Hotel to Mirror Lake   153

28. Mirror Lake—Mirror Meadow   159

29. Half Dome   162

IV. Yosemite National Park Outside the Valley

Introduction: A Wealth of Glorious Terrain   169

30. Carlon Falls   171

31. Hetch Hetchy to Wapama & Rancheria Falls    176

32. Merced Grove via the Coulterville Road   181

33. Tuolumne Grove via Old Big Oak Flat Road   186

34. Foresta Forever & Little Nellie Falls   191

35. Old Foresta Road Past Waterfalls to El Portal   196

36. May Lake & Mount Hoffman   200

Sidebar: High Sierra Camps   204

37. Snow Creek Trail    207

38. Four-Mile Trail between Glacier Point & Yosemite Valley    212

39. Sentinel Dome-Taft Point Loop   217

40. Wawona & the Meadow Loop    220

41. Stella Lake & the Swinging Bridge   225

42. Mono Pass & Bloody Canyon   229

43. Mount Dana Experience    233

V. Eastern Sierra

Introduction: Birthed in Fire, Sculpted by Ice   239

44. Bennettville & the History of Tioga Road   240

45. Gardisky Lake & Tioga Crest   246

46. Green Treble Lake & Hall Natural Area   249

47. Allure of Lundy Canyon   253

48. Green Creek Canyon to East Lake   258

49. Bodie State Historic Park   262

50. June Lakes Basin & Parker Lake    267

Sidebar: Explore Mono Lake    268

51. Devils Postpile & Rainbow Falls    273

52. Convict Lake    276

53. Rock Creek Canyon   280

54. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Groves    285

Further Reading   290

Index   294

About the Author   303

About Bored Feet   304

Books and Maps on Related Topics:

Exploring Eastern Sierra Canyons: Bishop to Lone Pine by Sharon Giacomazzi

Exploring Eastern Sierra Canyons: Sonora Pass to Pine Creek by Sharon Giacomazzi

Yosemite Epics; Tales of Adventure from America's Greatest Playground by Matt Johanson
Illustrations by Christopher Hampson
Foreword by Jim Moynier

Sierra Nevada Topographic Map by Imus Geographics

Sierra Sojourns by Images & Words by Vern Clevenger

Walk the Sky; Following the John Muir Trail by Photography by John Dittli, Essays by Mark Schlenz

The High Sierra of California by Poems and Journals by Gary Snyder, Woodcuts by Tom Killion

Yosemite National Park Recreation Map by Tom Harrison

Nature Journal with John Muir by Edited by Bonnie J. Gisel

Dark Journey by Allan W. Eckert

Mount Whitney; Mountain Lore from the Whitney Store, 2nd Edition by Doug Thompson & Elisabeth Newbold

Two Peoples, One Place by Ray Raphael & Freeman House

On the Road with Mark Twain in California and Nevada by George J. Williams III