We found ourselves perched on the towering cliffs of the south wall of Yosemite Valley.  From Taft Point, El Capitan and Cathedral Spires towered as our equals in the brilliant sun.  From Sentinel Dome we got a bird’s eye view of Half Dome against a clear blue sky.  Glacier Point provides that perfect perspective for a breathtaking Half Dome at sunset.

The trek to the views is an experience itself.

The Taft Point trail starts out pretty benign; a quiet walk through, fragrant, shade cooled, thick forested terrain with enormous granite boulders scattered about where ancient glaciers lay them. Step out from among the trees and emerge on a rugged, sun baked point.  It’s clear where the trail leads, out to the edge of the cliffs that mark the valley walls.  Along the way great fissures give glimpses into the depths below.  At the cliffs edge I had to kneel down to be brave enough to peek over.  The world is huge from here.

Sentinel Dome is one of a handful of smooth topped granite monoliths that bring a special character to Yosemite landscape.   By the way, you’ll find that they aren’t really all that smooth when you set foot on them.  They are spaulding off layers like an onion peeling and pretty irregular under foot.  Steep switch backs followed by a breath robbing clamber up the actual dome are rewarded with views, especially of Half Dome, not possible from the valley floor.

Glacier Point is a bit easier to experience. It is a ¼ mile walk from the parking lot to a perfectly situated overlook that has long been enjoyed as an ideal place for a Yosemite sunset.  Today’s sunset was not spectacular yet still amazing in the way the ever changing light bounces off rock and sky to illuminate entire distant mountain chains as well as the nearer Half Dome.

A charter bus from Illinois had a bit of a rougher Glacier Point experience.  The driver attempted a turn-around, got stuck in the loose sand, and hung high center cross-wise of the road.  There it sat when we emerged from our hike to Sentinel Dome around 4PM and it was still mired in the sand as we headed down after sunset.  Passengers all the while cooling their heels.  The 1^st tow truck to arrive managed only to pull off their front bumper.  A larger truck was on its way…estimated to be 2 ½ hours out.  Bummers!