Gary-Summer: October 18, 2023 - Taft Pt and Sentinel Dome

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

October 18, 2023 - Taft Pt and Sentinel Dome

Title: October 18, 2023 - Taft Pt and Sentinel Dome
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Sentinel Dome Parking Area-West

Trail: Taft Point, Pohono, Sentinel Dome

Destination: Taft Pt

Actual Destination: Taft Pt and Sentinel Dome

Distance: 5.65 miles

Start Time: 9:41

End Time: 4:21

Travel Time: 6:39 (0.85 mph)

Moving Time: 4:07 (1.37 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,592'

Descent: 1,437‘

Maximum Elevation: 8,153'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Rose and Sherri at start

A couple of weeks ago Sherri and I walked up Four Mile Trail for a short way. Enough of the way up that we decided to try walking it the full way to Glacier Point. Both Rose and Betty are interested in doing this-Betty has other obligations, but Rose is available. Unfortunately the day before Yosemite Fire decided to ignite a prescribed burn in the Valley. We are thinking that the fires will bring smoke. So do we really want to be struggling up this trail, breathing in smoke? The answer is no!

We still want to go for a hike in Yosemite, maybe on the Glacier Point Road. David-my brother, Sherri and I pile into the car a little after 7, drive up to Madera and pick up Rose. We drove on through Oakhurst and got to the Sentinel Dome Parking Area. One thing which we did not realize which would come into play later on is that there are now two parking areas for this trail-east and west.

By 9:40, we are off and walking towards Taft Point. If we feel up to it, we will continue on a triangle to Sentinel Dome. The trail does not seem familiar, but after a while, I recognize some landmarks and feel better. It is only a bit more than a mile to Taft Point. The trail dips down before ascending to the point. We pass by the Fissures. I know this is in my mind, but I remember the fissures a bit more dynamic looking. Could they have changed? Or is it just my memory being warped?

Ferns being passed by

AFissure

The view from the point is always amazing-at least my memory and reality jive on this. When you are looking down 4,000' into one of the most beautiful places on earth, there is no surprise that it elicits awe. Looking west where the burns were to take place, there is only a haze right now. We get our pictures taken and just wander around the area taking it in.

Approaching Taft Pt

Then we start back up the Pohono Trail

Taft Point

. It is about half a mile to the junction. I am up ahead, but David catches up with me. A little later Rose and Sherri come along, sounding like they are having a good conversation. At the junction, we have a decision to be made. Do we continue the Pohono Trail or go back to the car and then go up Sentinel Dome? It is actually shorter and easier to go back to the car. But our group decided to make it a triangle hike, even with an 800' drop to Sentinel Creek and a climb back up and further to get to the top of the dome. We decided to do the triangle.

Sentinel Dome from Pohono Trail

We decide when we get to Sentinel Creek to have lunch. We start our descent. We meet various people coming up the trail and stop and talk with a few. Sentinel Dome starts to loom in front of us. It is not as intimidating as some of the other domes we have seen. At the Creek, there is a side trail going out to a point which we have eaten at before. It did not disappoint. We eat and rest here for about 20-30 minutes.

During this time, I get to play tour guide to two different sets of people wondering how to get to Sentinel Dome. We start walking again. We quickly get passed by both groups. One is wondering if this is as steep as it gets-nope, it gets steeper. Apparently one of their group probably will not be able to make it. So I give them instructions about how to go and where the friend can stop.

David and I keep a slow steady pace and get to another overlook where we stop and gawk at the view of the Valley.While we wait, David lays down and rests. I suspect that I lack energy more than David. Once we are all together, we take off again. There have been changes since the last time I have been up here. There is a node on the Park’s communications has moved. Plus the trail seems to have changed a bit. Such as the trail seems to loop around where it did not go before.

David resting

On the way up Sentinel Dome, we meet both groups which we talked to before. They both are grateful for the advice I gave. All of us decide that we have enough energy to go up the Dome. One step at a time brings us all to the top. The view from the top is 360 and there are very few sights which compare with this view of Yosemite. Half Dome, the Sierra Crest, and the Clark Range to the east; Ostrander Rocks to the south; El Capitan and the Valley to the west; and Yosemite Falls to the north. When looking down the Valley, we are seeing the prescribed burns we were concerned about. They do not look too bad, at least a lot of smoke.

Now it is time to go back down the dome. I have been down the Dome several times before. Today for some reason I am apprehensive about coming down it. Maybe it is because last time I slipped and fell and broke my pinkie finger. I think Sherri is more concerned about coming down it than I am right now. For some strange reason, I feel more confident coming down now with Sherri matching my footsteps. The bottom line-maybe the wrong choice in words-we make it down without incident.

Prescribed burn close to El Capitan

It is a mile back to the car. David and I walk at an easy pace, but still faster than Sherri and Rose. We get to the east parking area. This is the trail I remember. The light clicks on and I realize what a sign is trying to tell me. The west parking area, where we are parked, is a new lot. David and I discuss things. He will stay at the east area and direct Sherri and Rose there. I will walk the 100 yards to the west one and collect the car.

Sherri and Gary and Sentinel Dome

After picking everybody up, we head on down the road. The next question is, do we want to eat before we get home? The answer is a resounding yes! Now where. We decide that if El Cid looks reasonable to get into, we will go there. Else we will try a new place in Oakhurst: Los dos Carnales. El Cid looked like we would get in quickly, so we stopped. After reading the reviews on the other restaurant, we will try there as well. After eating it is back down to the Valley. We let off Rose at her place and then stagger into our house, tired, but feeling good.