"A Trip to God's Country"

A "Google search" oftentimes results in not only tracking down whatever you were searching for but also produces some unexpected treasures that can lead us off in another direction. Thus I happened to discover this wonderful gallery of photos by Victor B. Soto -- Sierra scenes from Yosemite (above), Sequoia and other areas. Soto has captured the wondrous beauty of the Sierras in his photos. To see more of the work of this outstanding photographer click on the link below.

As sometimes happens one good thing leads to another. At the end of the gallery there is a place where visitors can leave a comment. The comments are quite interesting and especially the one from Mike Harper (April 02, 1999), where he goes into detail about the unique "High Sierra Loop" trip in Yosemite. His suggestion to "try the lottery" reflects on how difficult it is to get a reservation for this one-week summer adventure. I know what he's talking about because years ago I tried each year for several years and never was able to book the trip. But I did make the trip to all the camps -- as a backpacker. I slept in my sleeping bag in the little campground close by to each of the High Sierra Camps and joined the paying guests for the evening meal that was served family style. I paid a modest fee for a feast that was a fitting end to a day of scenic hiking. Here are the comments by Mike Harper:

"For persistant people, very persistant - try the lottery for the High Sierra Loop Trip in Yosemite. It is 53 miles in a loop from Tuolumne (TwoWallOmee) Meadows High Sierra Camp to a series of 5 camps and back again. You will hike down the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulen Camp on the 1st day. Next day the hike is up out of the Tuolumne canyon and up to May Lake - past the famous mammilary rocks. May lake is usually a two day stay so you can make the trek up to the top of Mt Hoffman on the second day of just go fishing. Sunrise Camp is next in line and has a beautiful view of the Cathedral Range. From Sunrise the trail leads to Merced Lake Camp. The unoffical trail leads down Jayne Mansfield Pass. Merced is also a two day stay and the adventurous can climb Mt Clark. The 1st trick is first find a very large tree that has fallen across the Merced, otherwise you have to swim. The next trick is to find the trail to Mt Clark as the Park does not maintain this trail anymore. The last trick is be foolish enough to do some free climbing. Voglesang Camp is the highest of the camps just below Voglesang pass which is 11,000 ft plus. The Voglesang site is fantastic. A huge granite slab rises up behind the camp and on a clear night with a fullmoon the reflected light knocks you on your butt. All good things come to an end with the hike back to Tuolumne Camp. As I remember the longest hike is about 10 miles and as you have all day and don't have to make camp you can go at your leasure. You are at high elevation and the elevation change can be 2,000 to 4,000ft so a word to the wise is to get into condition before you go and also spend a night at Tuolumne Camp before setting out on the 1st hike so your body becomes acclimeted to the high altitude. If you can't get reservations at Tuolumne try for White Wolf. Do the same for the end of the trip and spend another night at Tuolumne or White Wolf. Young kids do just fine. Can't remember the age limit but you will know when they are old enough - you don't have to carry them anymore. Each camp is set up to provide beds (with clean sheets) in tent cabins, breakfast, lunch and dinner. All you carry is your clothes. The other item of interest is *Hot Showers*. Singles bunk domatory style but they try to put families together. We always had a cabin to ourselves. If you have less time try the hike down Yosemite Creek starting from Yosemite Creek Campground to the top of Yosemite Falls and then on to the valley floor. It is about 10 miles almost all down hill. The first half is alongside the Yosemite Creek and the last is down the steep trail up from the valley floor. There are pools at the top of the falls that you can swim in if you go late in the season when the flow is down. Great viewing platform on the rock face right next to the falls giving views of the falls and of the valley. If you use the bus from the valley that goes to Tuolumne Meadows you can do the trip without a car shuttle. Enjoy."