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| | | Taft Point - Sentinel Dome Loop, CA | | | |
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Taft Point - Sentinel Dome Loop, CA
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| Hiking | 6.15 Miles |
2,067 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.15 Miles | 3 Hrs | | 2.05 mph |
| 2,067 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | To kick off our father-son, coming-of-age trip, we drove up to Yosemite via Bakersfield, where we had spent the night to break up the travel from Phoenix. Although our accommodations for the coming night were near the NW entrance to the Park at Hodgdon Meadows Campground, we elected to take the scenic route through the southern Wawona Road entrance and explore Glacier Point Road.
Rather than just driving up the road, we wanted to get out, stretch our legs, and "experience" the views by getting our feet on the soil. Taft Point and Sentinel Dome fit the bill.
As we drove into the park and up Wawona Road, it was raining, which made everything green and vibrant and enhanced the beautiful, clean smell of the forest. Luckily, by the time we hit the Taft Pt/Sentinal Trailhead, the rain had stopped, so there was no need for ponchos, etc.
Although the parking area was full, most of our hike out to Taft Point was in solitude, which we enjoyed very much. Of course, there were folks out near the point, but not overwhelming crowds. Our first real views of Yosemite Valley opened up at Taft Point, including views of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. The sheer 3,000+ ft. drops to the valley floor are just jaw-dropping. "Wow" is all I can say. We took photos and breathed in the majestic views before backtracking a bit to the Pohono trail, which skirts through the forest and along the edge of the cliff and then circles back up to Sentinel Dome. Sentinel is one of the highest points in the park and offers 360 degree vistas, including of Half Dome, and Nevada Falls.
After soaking in these views, we returned to the TH and finished our drive up Glacier Point Road, taking in dinner at Washburn Point and then finishing out the daylight at Glacier Point itself. Then, made the hour+ drive in the dark to our camp for the night at Hodgdon Meadow.
A fabulous start to our Yosemite adventure. |
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