Beautiful Yosemite!
According to Mike, the trail that takes you to both: Sentinel Dome and Taft Point is simply the best in Yosemite National Park. It’s not very popular but if you plan your visit to the Park, include it in your itinerary. It’s easy to miss the starting points as the trail begins just next to the small parking lot, by the road heading to Glacier Point. You can start your hike by going left or right.
No worries, the whole trail makes a nice loope so you get to see both amazing locations! We recommend that you first turn right. The hike begins with a flat path through the pleasant forest and it’s hard to imagine how wonderful it will be just after another 40 minutes. Once you reach the top of Sentinel Dome you will easly spot Half Dome with the Yosemite Valley in its full glory on one side, on the other El Captain with the Merced River disappearing in the far distance. Wondeful! That’s the place where you realize, I need to take a panorama!
Beware of Mountain Lions!
On our way up, we saw the Mountain Lions warning! You could think that since the trail is pretty popular you won’t be bothered by the presence of these carnivors. However, the National Park Servise Staff advice to keep an eye on your children at all times. And remember, “if a big cat attacks, fight back”.
Are you afraid of heights?
After Sentinel Dome, it’s time to discover Taft Point, a place which will help you decide if you are afraid of heights, or not. Just in case you were wondering…
Stay alert…
There are no protection railings and you can get to the edge of the rocks as close as you with to. The feeling of sitting just above the abyss with your legs hanging… priceless. The views are stunning! You may shout or sing and there will be an echo reponding quite a few times before the sound disappears. You can clearly see the majestic El Captain towering just on the opposite side of the Valley. Taft Point is an easy but definitely very exciting hike that we think should be on everyone’s bucketlist while visiting Yosemite National Park. If you love taking pictures, come early to get the good light conditions. In the evening your photos will be against the sun, still pretty, of course! Take a look at our gallery below.