Sentinel Dome & Taft Point

1. We had driven directly from the western Yosemite entrance, through the Valley, Past Bridalveil Falls, past the Tunnel View, and onto Glacier Point road, arriving 13 miles later at Sentinel Dome on the first day of standard time November 1, 2015.
2. The weather forecast is for heavy sustained rainfall the next day, so we were anxious to see Sentinel Dome, Taft Point and Glacier Point before they closed for the winter.
3. The road was recently paved and in excellent condition with both bike lane lines and center lines, but heavily potholed around the parking lot for the two hikes .
4. The parking lot holds about 30 vehicles, and was full when we arrived at 130pm, with cars parked on both sides of the road. We had to park about 100 yards up the road, while cars whizzed by, well over the 35 mph speed limit.
5. There is a single pit toilet with toilet paper at the parking lot, but no running water, so bring your own water to drink and wash your hands. There is also no electric bulb in the toilet, so bring a flashlight if here after sunset.
6. One time in the spring we trailed a small shuttle bus into the parking lot. My wife ended up waiting 20 minutes in the newly created toilet line!
7. The trail head for Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are the same, with 1.1 miles to each destination in opposite directions.
8. About seven tenths of a mile, we approach the dome itself, where the trail consists of climbing upward on crude stairs and trails over open areas of granite rock.
9. We circle around the dome, hiking another tenth of a mile through forests, with a view of Half Dome in a distance across the valley.
10. At the nine tenths mile mark, one trail branches out to go completely around Taft Point, and the other trail turns to go up the Dome itself.
11. The climb up to the Dome is the hardest part of the two hikes. Normally it is not difficult under dry conditions, as one can cross traverse in a zigzag fashion up the slope. Hiking boots are a must. The slope is shallow enough so that even if one slipped, one would not fall very far.
12. In April 2014 there was snow everywhere on this side of the Dome, with the footprints of previous hikers turning the packed down snow to slippery mush and ice. That was definitely treacherous, as the snow was knee deep in areas.
13. As one hikes up the Dome, my wife uses hiking poles for balance and leverage, with views of Yosemite Falls in the background.
14. We get to the top of the 8500 foot Dome in about 45 minutes from the parking lot. Here we can see 360 degrees all around
15. There is a metal plaque on one of the boulders, which lists out the sights according to their place on the horizon, including Taft Point, El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls.
16. Glacier Point has closer views of Half Dome and the valley, along with Vernal and Nevada Falls.
17. Sentinel Dome has a better angle and more elevation to see the drop area of the three Yosemite Falls, including the splash area of Upper Yosemite Falls.
18. In April 2014 one entire section of mountains is snow covered, and reminds me of Rocky Mountain National Park.
19. In April there was only one family of adults and teenagers up there when we arrive. One lady has a baby in a cloth carrier strapped to her chest. Elementary school kids come up.
20. Going downhill is easier than going uphill, and we are back in the parking lot in half an hour.
21. We hike 1.1 miles in the opposite direction at the parking lot to Taft Point, but one can hike 2.8 miles through the scenic route, overlooking the valley, to Taft Point.
22. The hike is through dense vegetation and forests, reminding me of Olympic National Park. It’s like a scene out of the Hobbit, with the trees so dense that the forest path is very dark with shadows, and minimal overhead skylight.
23. We see a couple with a long range zoom camera shooting pictures. A brown bear at long distance is scampering away –camera shy!
24 The forests recede, and we climb down into an open area of granite. Signs warn us to keep on the trail, as there are openings in the granite rock, called fissures, leading to the valley floor below.
25. There is a scenic viewpoint on Taft Point, right on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the Yosemite Valley, 3000 feet below.
26. El Capitan can be seen in a distance –sort of the opposite view of the Tunnel View.
27. We hike back to the near full parking lot in half an hour, with our car the only car now parked on the side of the road, at 4pm.
28. We drive the 6 miles to Glacier Point to see Half Dome in the sunset.
29. It rains heavily the next day, with Glacier Point Road closed the entire following week and perhaps for the winter season, due to snow and ice on the road.

While it’s not exactly a hidden gem, it’s far enough off the path of the crowds to make this a pleasant and relaxing hike. The hike to Taft Point is an easy one, with most of it well shaded. It’s beautiful and the trail is well marked. One of the best things about hiking to Taft Point is the chance to see the fissures. These are huge rifts in the rock that drop hundreds of feet down to the valley floor.
The view from Taft Point is unrivaled. From the top, you look down on the Valley, including El Capitan. Be warned, this hike is not for people with a fear of heights. While we were there, we saw many people turn around without ever seeing the view they hiked for. It was almost funny to see people confidently approach the overlook, only to suddenly stop and admire it from a safe distance. I admit, my stomach dropped when I first looked over the edge too. If you aren’t willing to brave the unsecured cliffs, there is a very small lookout with metal railings.
Parking is easy at the trailhead. You can go left for Taft Point or right for Sentinel Dome. Both hikes are equal distances, so I recommend doing both of you are there. There is a bathroom in the parking lot. Go early, though, there are only a parking spots!

Thirty-​four miles into the Yosemite entrance, I arrived at the trailhead for Sentinel Dome. The trail’s pretty easy to follow and a relatively short one. The reward is a panoramic view of Yosemite’s landmarks, including Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan, etc.
At the top of Sentinel Dome itself is the ever so famous Jeffrey pine tree that appeared in Ansel Adams’ 1940 photo. It’s dead now, but I’d say it aged pretty well.

I proposed to my gf at this point this past Saturday and it was perfect. It’s something out of this reality as this hike will get you to a point where you think you might fall to your doom with a simple wind gust. It’s scary, but beautiful all the same.
So in case you didn’t get it the first two times I said it, this location is really high up with no real barriers to prevent you from falling, but if you have steady feet and a a calm nerve about yourself, this will be a magical spot to visit. The trees at the top are quite cute.
This place will hold a spot near and dear to my heart for the rest of my life as how many spots do you actually propose on? It was a great choice.