An exploration of the Hoover Wilderness off the northern tip of Yosemite. This was a great loop hike with gorgeous lakes, dramatic peaks and alpine meadows to ourselves. From the top of Virginia, Stanton and Camiaca Peaks we had sweeping views over Yosemite as far as Half Dome in the West and Mt Lyell and Mt Mclure in the very South. We were also only the third team to make it to the top of Virginia peak in 2005 - and this was already August!

The trip was made more exciting by the failure of our brakes near the bottom of Sonora pass on the return. Then 3 hrs waiting in the dark for a kamikaze tow to the tiny Sonoran town of Miwok. Incredibly, Mike's Mobile Mechanic was still up fixing cars at 10pm on a Sunday night. He didn't have the part handy - the master brake cylinder - and we had the pleasure of a Blair-Witchesque night's camp in the adjacent woods followed by a full day of sightseeing in Sonora, which is actually really nice, and plenty of time on Potter's Porch - the front of Miwok's only real store. Mike himself did a fantastic job fixing the car by the end of the day so he deserved the handsome tip. If you pass through Miwok say hi to him...