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

I’ve just dipped into this book and I’m already excited about discovering new trails in places I’ve visited and new places to visit, hike and camp.

Sharon Giacomazzi is one of an elite class of authors who can seemlessly blend local history and hiking into a well written guidebook. Although the title features Yosemite prominently, this book also covers Hwy 49, the wonderful road through Gold Country, Alpine County, the Eastern Sierra and White Mountains. Each section of the book includes a broad survey of the region, followed by "chapters" of a few pages highlighting a particular locale and one or more hiking opportunites nearby. The "tales" part of the book is the obvious strength. Readers will be treated to various theories about the lost treasure of Ophir Mountain, the many changes to the Sierra Railroad, and the desparate shootout at Convict Lake. Giacomazzi offers readers several opportunites to explore historic townsites like Bodie and Hornitos. Readers will also learn about the discovery of the Sierra "Big Trees" (Sequoia's) and the preservation of that site in today's Calveras Big Trees State Park. Of course, the history of Yosemite, beginning with the Mariposa Battalion and running through the present day, is also ably covered by the author. The hike selection in this book is excellent. All are dayhikes and most are between 1 and 10 miles; the obvious exception is the 17 mile round trip hike to Half Dome. What impressed me most about the book, however, were the number of out of the way hikes that Giacomazzi listed. She does not list the ever popular Mariposa Grove of Sequoias within Yosemite, but she does describe Nelder Grove, a quiet grove just a few miles from the park border. Indeed, for the most part this guide will quickly get walkers to places of relative solitude even on a summer weekend. Of course, a few classics of the Park, Mt. Dana and the aforementioned Half Dome, are included. On the whole this is an excellent guide. Hiking descriptions are sometimes brief but based on my experience, they are accurate. The history is sure to enliven any visit to Yosemite. The black and white photos that accompany the text are nice and the sketch trail maps are decent. (In the case of some of the longer hikes, I would recommend supplementing these with a good topo map. In the park, the best choices are the Tom Harrison Maps.) Get the book and enjoy. It is one of the best publications among many good ones from Bored Feet Press. (Readers interested in similar history/hiking books should look to Jerry and Gisela Rohde's wonderful book, Redwood National and State Parks: Tales, Trails and Auto Tours.)

I have had the pleasure of walking many of the same trails that Sharon writes about in this book. The maps and directions are most excellent--if a description says 3/10 of a mile, then that's what it is. There is nothing quite so frustrating as having a wonderful day of walking planned only to be thwarted by crappy directions to the trail head. The historical focus is like icing on the cake-each of these walks are very enjoyable by themselves but when you have a greater knowledge of place and time, the whole experience is greatly enhanced. So, even if you've tried other hiking books and been disappointed, don't pass this one by. There is something for everyone here. Highly Recommended and a great read even if you don't get out much!

Sharon has had agoraphobia for 20 or more years, and yet she has conquered her fears by hiking around 10,000 miles on foot with a friend or two intoe for companionship. She has shared her research and emotions along with the visual descriptions of each of these hikes in her first book. It is a book that will inform and delight every reader, even if you never take that first step upon the worn trail. She includes facinating tidbits that have been well researched, and provides pictures long buried in private and government archives. Sharon has also tried to inform the reader about the ecological issues surrounding the hikers' intrusion into the delicate terrain of the Sierras. Each chapter is complete, and will leave the reader enthralled and excited for the next "trip"--even without leaving the comforts of one's armchair. Whether one follows the maps on where to begin one's personal experience by hiking the trail or just reading to enjoy the trip vicariously, this book will be a wellcomed addition to everyone's bookcase who is interested in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Bon Voyage!