Originally Posted by
FlyinHawaiian
Once you are at the main plaza where the monestary and basilica are located, it is wide and flat and set back from the edge of the mountain so you are not forced to look down at any time. The basilica is enclosed in a smaller plaza with walls on all sides.
There is a steep flight of stairs to get from the lower level (where my friends were dropped off on their bus tour) to the main plaza, but there's also a street that winds up/down with a hairpin turn that's walkable and only adds a few minutes.
I'm sure the bus/auto arrival would be the least stressful. If riding the rack train, just sit on the side facing the mountain wall (right side going up, left side going down). I am glad I went; it was quite powerful and moving. I also went to LMU and am a choral singer so the Jesuit history and musical experience was quite meaningful to me.
Are the steep stairs or wind street out in the open part of the mountain? And do you have to go back down the same way to pick up your tour bus? You have no idea how helpful this all is.
Just out of curiosity, what route did you take going up?
I can only imagine what an experience this was for you with your background---and great timing to get there during a mass. Your photos are stunning.