Taft Point/Sentinel Dome

Summary | Parking/Trailhead | Trail Description | Supplies | Itinerary

Half Dome from Sentinel Dome Area	Taft Fissures	Taft Point
Taft Point	Taft Fissures	Taft Trail

Summary

These two easy hikes start at the same place but head in opposite directions about a mile each way. They are two of the best short distance hikes in Yosemite with the finest payoffs in scenic beauty. If you plan on hiking one trail you might as well do them both. After you're done with the hikes, continue the drive towards Glacier Point to experience even more fantastic views of the valley below and the surrounding landscape. Besides, you can get a hot dog and soda at Glacier Point!

Parking/Trailhead

The trailhead for both trails lies on the Glacier Point Road 13.2 miles after turning off of the Wawona road at Chinquapin junction. Driving towards Glacier Point the trailhead and parking is on the left (north) side. Don't be surprised if all the easy parking is already taken as these two hikes are very popular and there isn't much parking space. If you need to, drive a little farther down the road until you find a large enough turnout to park in.

Trail Description

At the trailhead there is a public restroom so if you need to do your business it should be done here. There are no appropriate locations on these two trails for this kind of business. I know . . . some of you are snickering but I've seen the results of not saying the obvious stuff like this before and it ain't pretty!

Fissures at Taft Point

Head down to the trailhead from the road and find a sign that points left to Taft Point. Almost immediately to the right of the trail you find a large and beautiful quartz protrusion that many day-hikers have chipped away at over the past century. Please don't be one of them. Hike a little further and you cross the seasonal Sentinel Creek and then on into the forest towards Taft Point.

Most of the overlooks at Taft Point have no railings so beware. The faint of heart or those with acrophobia would do well to stay away from the edge. The best and safest (which means sturdy railings) view is at the edge of Profile Cliff. This cliff has 5 primary fissures straight down. A natural wind tunnel is often created when a steady and gentle stream of air comes up the side of the cliff. Periodic debris caught in this updraft floats in midair. I know . . . big deal but sometimes I just can't help but stare at the simple stuff (i.e., flowers on the wall).

I once encountered a party of closely huddled and highly observant day hikers at Taft Point. One of ladies in the group had a utility belt with a can spray something that appeared to be a short fat can of bug spray. I had never seen a utility belt that was designed solely to carry a can of whatever and was curious as to its purpose. After asking her about it, she proudly informed me that it was her bear repellent. I expressed my genuine astonishment at the existence of such a product. At this the Bear Spray Lady recognized my apparent ignorance of the outdoors and started to explain the dangers of the local grizzly bears in the Yosemite backcountry. Now I know (heard) it all! (P.S. Don't worry, the last grizzly bear in California was killed near Sequoia Park in 1922.)

Sentinel Dome

As you approach the trailhead from the road a sign will point you to the right and on your way to Sentinel Dome. Sentinel Dome at 8,122 feet in elevation is the second highest point on the rim of Yosemite Valley with Half Dome coming in first at 8,884 feet.

Compared to the Taft Point trail, the route to Sentinel Dome has less trees which translates to less shade and a hotter trail. But this in new appreciable diminishes the value of the hike because from the top of Sentinel Dome you gain a fantastic 360º view that includes El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Basket Dome, Mt. Hoffman, Half Dome, Mt. Starr King, and Clark Range.

Sentinel Dome is also famous for its lone Jeffrey pine. The tree is still there but it's been dead since 1984 due to carving and climbing. Up to this point it was dying slowly and all the visitors that knew this were watering the tree with their drinking water before heading back.

Supplies

Use the standard Day Hike Checklist for this hike less a few items. Some of the items you may wish to omit include: Water Filter, Food, TP, Flashlight, Gloves, and even a jacket if it's a really warm day. Most of the people that actually hike these two trails usually only bring a large bottle of water, shade hat, and some sun screen.

Itinerary

The following times are estimated at a leisurely pace. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the trailhead from the Fresno area.

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