Sentinel Dome & Taft Point

This was such a nice and beautiful hike. The views at Taft Point was unbelievable. Very peaceful.

If you're looking for an easy to intermediate hike at Yosemite, Taft Point is a good one to choose! The hike is really high in elevation and once to reach the end, you'll see how deep the valley is! We drove up to the trailhead of Trail Point because we wanted a short hike, from there on is a 2.2 mile~ hike. It took about 30mins to 1 hour to reach the end of the hike.You can go to the edge of the cliffs to see the elevation, but of course, you'll want to caution getting too close the edge for your safety. Overall, Taft Point is a nice short hike that is moderately popular.

By far one of the most enjoyable Yosemite hikes that I've ever done with some of the most breathtaking views of the park! Incredible can't even begin to describe how amazing Sentinel Dome and Taft Point truly are. We embarked on an 8 mile hike from Glacier Point to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point and were so amazed with everything that we saw. There are easier hikes that you can take to get to both viewpoints, but our 8 mile hike was so memorable. We took the Pohono Trail from Glacier Point and inclined through gorgeous trees, white snow, and small creeks. The views on the way up the Pohono Trail are spectacular! You'll get little glimpses of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and several other popular Yosemite Landmarks.Not only is the view from Taft Point amazing, but the view OF Taft Point is truly something that you have to see. You'll literally feel like you're standing on the edge of the earth. A look down might make the weak stomached a little queasy at first, but the views are just too amazing not to enjoy. The hike from Taft Point to Sentinel Dome can be a bit of challenge. If you push through it, just know that you'll be rewarded with the most spectacular 360 degree views of the park! You'll have to climb up the steep dome to reach the top, but once you're there, it'll feel like Heaven is right before you. The view from Sentinel Dome has got to be one of the best views with the entire park! I can't forget to mention the wildlife. Lizards, birds, squirrels... you name it! The wildlife is so rampant here. You'll even be able to spot several different species of flowers growing amid the rocks. It's crazy beautiful! I feel like I'm having withdrawals now, but the memories of my visit will always keep this experience alive in me. There are so many amazing landmarks and hikes within Yosemite National Park, but something about Sentinel Dome and Taft Point is just so special. If you're looking to access a more remote side of the park, take a trip out to Glacier Point and visit Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Although this part of the park is way more remote, it's still busy. Get here as early as possible to secure parking. Enjoy it!

I loved these hikes, both of them including stunning views and were on the easy side. Both trails are about 2 miles round-trip. We chose not to do the loop because it was getting closer to sunset, and I think that was a good idea so that we could spend longer admiring the views. We tackled the sentinel dome hike first, which is relatively flat until you scramble to get to the top of the dome and are able to get the wonderful views. Then we went back and did Taft point, which is a popular hike to watch the sunset at, and there were multiple wedding photo shoots going on there. Unfortunately in late October, all of the falls had dried up but being able to see the valley below and El Cap the background while the sun was setting was just incredible.

Did the sentinel dome hike which is a 2 mile loop. The trail is easy to follow - follow the signs and try to stay with a group of people (we saw some animal claws in the mud which we assumed were bear claws. It was scary but we saw more people and proceeded forward). Parking was easy to find at the trailhead.The hike is mostly straightforward until you get to the end of it. It's a sudden elevation to get to the topmost point but the views are incredible so hang in there if you can. You can see the true depth of the valley right at the top which is gorgeous. I recommend investing in hiking shoes or shoes with a firmer grip if you are going to hike in Yosemite - it's worth it.

These hikes might be the lowest effort, best view hikes you can do in Yosemite. We were there in October and the small parking lot was full. We were able to park on the side of the road. It was about an hour drive there from Yosemite Valley. The hikes to Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are both about 2.2 miles round trip. You can make it into a loop, but it's actually longer to do that than to do both separately. Because of that, we did both separately. We hiked to Taft Point first. It's a pretty flat very easy hike. The views are great at the end. Then we went back and hiked to Sentinel Dome. This hike was more steep, especially at the end. It was still fairly easy though. I thought these views were even better since you were higher up. You could see Half Dome on one side and El Capitan and the valley on the other.For the difficulty level, these are some of the best views you can get in Yosemite.

Sentinel Dome Trail (Yosemite National Park / California)Sentinel Dome Trail is an easy 2.2 mile out & back trail that leads to great views of El Capitan and Half Dome. There is a small parking area right off Glacier Point Road and can be found by using the directions on AllTrails or on Yelp. The trail is easy to follow. When in doubt, follow the signs. The elevation gain is a little over 450 feet and takes about 30 minutes to the top of the dome at a slow walking pace. The dome itself is grippy, which is a huge plus when climbing up it. Besides El Cap and Half Dome, views also include Nevada Falls, Cloud Rest, Taft Point, and the High Sierras. On most days, I bet these views are amazing. But we were here during the California fires and the smoke covered most of our view. By the way, El Capitan should be viewed from ground level and close-up any way. Sentinel Dome Trail is a nice, quick, and a good warm-up for the Nevada Falls Trail.

Add Taft Point to your Yosemite itinerary... NOW!!Wow, Taft Point exceeded all of my expectations and was breathtaking beautiful- it provides unspoiled views of Yosemite Valley and El Capitan. You'll also be able to view multiple fissures in this area, which are deep narrow openings along the granite cliffs. Taft Point is not as known as other viewpoints such as Tunnel View, making it a great place to go if you want to enjoy incredible views without large crowds. There are multiple viewpoints and large rocks to sit on to soak in this scenic wonder! HIKE DIFFICULTY LEVEL:1/5- This 2 mi-roundtrip "hike" is more of a stroll. It's completely doable for people of all ages. Definitely not handicap accessible. GETTING THERE:The only way to reach the trailhead is by driving up Glacier Point Rd, which is about a 50-60 minute drive from Yosemite Valley. PARKING:There is a small lot that's located right at the trailhead. I went during November, so we were able to snag a parking spot immediately. Come early during summer months in case parking fills quickly.

Absolutely breathtaking and worth the hike. This hike is moderate in terms of terrain but distance is short. I am not sure I would recommend it to families with children under the age of 8-10 due to the steep nature of sentinel (it is a granite dome after all) and the sheer drop offs. When we got closer to the Sentinel, it definitely took a quick moment to adjust to the depth of the valley (best overwhelming landscape feeling I have ever gotten). We could have spent hours hanging out and taking it all in. If you are heading the Yosemite rim, this trail is a must.

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 around15. 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.