Yada Goth
District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
Position – N32 13.621 E76 40.901
Altitude – 2703 metres
Part of Treks:
Another of those un-wikipediable places, Yada Goth is a shepherd stop on the Jalsu trail. Goth is local language for a shepherd stop and usually comprises of a temporary seasonal shack providing food, a natural cave/rock overhang shelter or a small basic mud structure which functions as the overnight stop for shelters and of late, for trekkers. Yada is no exception but then why is this the only shepherd stop on the Indrahar and Jalsu trails which finds a page here? Because, Yada and the area around is what I would call the 'visual centre' of both the trails and gives the best view of Manimahesh and neighbouring peaks along with the various 
colours of the pass that Jalsu is. On an autumn evening, you can see the white snow on the grey Manimahesh rock, dark green Deodar and Rhododendron and bright yellow flowers on the light green grass, brown grass and bare rocks on the Jalsu, yellowing leaves of deciduous vegetation. If you visit the place, let me know if I missed any colour, I am sure I did.
Like many shepherd stops, I will safely assume Yada's existence since the existence of shepherds in the area. Since Yada lies on the trail of a lower pass, it is a shepherd favourite. In and around Yada, you will most likely find a few shepherds with herds grazing in the nearby jungles. There is a small shack serving food to travellers at Rupees 30 per person. Of course, you do not get a menu and much choice but then in a place as beautiful and tranquil as this, you would not anyway like to clutter your mind with the worldly cares of eating. And then there is the omnipresent Forest Rest House, a basic one like Plachek, open to the public. You can walk in with your sleeping bags, unroll them, sleep and walk out the next morning, no questions asked, no money charged.
If colours of nature, a not very steep slope and a meeting with shepherds and their herds is your kind of thing, Yada is your kind of place.
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