On my summer of 2021 road trip, my first stop was Yosemite National Park. I’ve loved hiking in Yosemite for years, and it’s always been my favorite national park, so going back is always a treat! I actually spent about two weeks there this summer, and my goal was to finish off some of the trails I hadn’t done yet!
To start off, I wanted to do a couple of somewhat moderate hikes. I didn’t have much acclimation when I got there, and I knew if I started with really big stuff I would get worked!
Enter the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop! I had already hiked to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point separately, but I had yet to do the loop that connects the two. Driving in from Sacramento, this shorter hike would also be doable in a short afternoon!
Miles/Elevation:
5.1 miles
1,122 feet vertical gain
About Yosemite:
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in the entire National Park System.
Steeped in history, Yosemite has played a major role in the development of environmentalism and conservation in the United States since the late 1800’s. In 1864, President Lincoln created the Yosemite Grant, which did not make Yosemite a national park, but did set the precedent that would lead to the creation of Yellowstone National Park.
Yosemite was ceded to the State of California and ran by the state for much of the late 1800’s. Eventually, in 1890, Yosemite National Park was created, and stronger protections were put in place to preserve the park.
Beyond the National Park Service, the legendary naturalist John Muir is perhaps best known for his advocacy in favor of preserving Yosemite National Park. A giant in the history of conservation, Muir, who fell in love with the mountains after a serious industrial accident, became arguably the most influential figure in preserving the natural landscapes of the west. His relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt and the expansion of federally protected lands may be the greatest achievement of this era of conservation!
Getting To Yosemite:
Located in Central California, Yosemite is fairly remote, but can be reached from a number of major cities. The closest large city is Fresno, and Fresno’s airport is the best choice if you are flying in. Other cities located within a three hour or so drive with major airports include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento.
From these cities or any others, you’ll then likely need to drive to the park. There is a regional public transit system called YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit System), and can be useful if you are trying to get to Yosemite Valley. However, I generally advocate having your own car when exploring the mountains. It just makes it easier to explore and get around.
Once you’re in Yosemite, there is a transit system that can get you around the park, however it is not running in 2021. Go to the Yosemite NPS website for more information on public transit in Yosemite. When it is running, the public transit can get you to many of the major trailheads in the park.
Read Our Complete Guide To All Things Yosemite!
Getting To The Trailhead:
The trailhead for Sentinel Dome and Taft Point is along the road to Glacier Point. I don’t think there is any public transit to this trailhead, but you could take it to Glacier Point and then hike the mile or two to the trail.
From Yosemite Valley, head south on Wawona Road past tunnel view and through the tunnel. Continue on until you reach the intersection with Glacier Point Road, and then turn left onto Glacier Point Road. The trailhead is a large parking lot on the left side of the road thirteen miles from the intersection.
Parking can be a challenge, and on busy days you will likely see dozens of cars parked on the side of the road. Get there early if you want to ensure you get a parking spot.
There is an entry fee for entering Yosemite. As of 2021, it is $35 per vehicle for a week’s pass.
Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop:
To Sentinel Dome:
Once you’ve parked in the parking lot, head slightly downhill and turn left onto the Sentinel Dome Trail. The trail climbs gently as you head through fairly sparse forest. You’ll be able to see Sentinel Dome pretty much from the parking lot, so you’ll know exactly where you’re heading!
You’re in bear country, so be sure to always be bear safe!
After just under a mile of light climbing, you’ll arrive at the base of the dome. From the base, it’s about 150 feet to the summit. The climb is pretty steep, and if you aren’t used to the elevation it’ll definitely make you breath hard, but push through, it’s only a few more minutes of effort!
Consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass if you’re visiting any national parks!
Once at the summit, there’s a broad open area where you can hang out and take in the views around you. Huge views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the high peaks of the Yosemite High Country surround you at the summit! Take your time and really take it all in, you just climbed a mountain! (it’s small, but Sentinel Dome does technically qualify as a mountain)
To Taft Point:
From the summit, head back down the way you came to the base of the dome. From here you have a choice. Your goal is Taft Point, and the hike as written is a loop; however, if you wanted you could simply backtrack to the trailhead and then pick up the trail to Taft Point there. I had never done the loop before, so I decided to give it a try.
Rather than turning right at the base of the dome, continue straight towards Glacier Point and Half Dome. You’ll descend a bit, and then the trail you want turns left (if you keep going straight you’ll end up at Glacier Point).
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
At this point you are on the loop which will take you to Taft Point. Along this trail you’ll continue hiking through the light forest and granite slabs typical of Yosemite. You will be close to the valley rim, but it’s generally too wooded to really see much. There are a couple of spots where the views open up though and you get awesome views of the valley.
Be Sure To Check Out Our Full 7 Day Yosemite Itinerary Too!
Unfortunately, the trail back to Taft Point descends quite a bit for the first part and then forces you to climb back up to reach Taft Point. You first descend about 500 feet as you begin towards Taft Point, which then forces you to climb back up about 400 feet to actually reach Taft Point! The easier option would be to go back the way you came from Sentinel Dome to the parking lot and then go straight to Taft Point.
After a pretty brutal short climb, you will reach a junction. Going right takes you to Taft Point. Going left takes you back to the trailhead. Head to Taft Point!
Taft Point And Back:
From the intersection, there is another half mile or so to Taft Point. You will once again descend as you approach the valley walls, which is a bummer because you will have to climb out. Once at Taft Point, you will be treated to one of Yosemite’s classic views. El Capitan and Yosemite Falls loom on the far side of the valley, and massive drop offs lie just below your feet!
This is another great place to spot for a bit and really take in the views. If you’re really brave you can get right up to the edge, otherwise maybe stay back a little!
See The Rest Of Yosemite’s Best Moderate Hikes!
After you’ve had your fill of Taft Point, it’s time to head back to the trailhead. Ahead of you is just over a mile of hiking and a couple hundred feet of climbing. It’s nothing serious, and compared to what came earlier on this hike, it’s a breeze. After 20-30 minutes of hiking, you will be back at your car ready for more adventures! Maybe you’ll head further out to Glacier Point, or maybe you’ll make your way back down to the valley. Really there isn’t a bad choice in Yosemite!
Cathedral Lake Is Another Great Moderate Yosemite Hike!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating:: 9/10
There are very few five mile hikes that can compare to this one. The views, the opportunity to stand on a summit, and the sheer cliffs of Taft Point are pretty special! All of this connected by well groomed trails make for a great outing!
If you’re looking for an awesome moderate hike in Yosemite that can be done in two or three hours, this is definitely one of the top choices!
Pros:
- Big views
- Opportunity to summit
- Well maintained trail
- Stand atop sheer cliffs
Cons:
- Limited parking
- Long drive if you aren’t staying in the valley
Alternative Hikes:
Vernal Falls and Clark Point via Mist and John Muir Loop
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Trail
When To Visit Yosemite:
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
Hiking in Yosemite is a three season activity. Winter usually brings quite a bit of snow, and the entire park is liable to experience winter storms. While lower elevation areas of the park may be hikable in winter, I really wouldn’t say Yosemite is a four season hiking destination.
Purely in terms of weather, fall and spring are the best times of year to hike in Yosemite. Summer can get extremely hot, and hiking in 95 degree heat isn’t fun for most people! The one issue with fall is that fire season can either close down areas of the park, or more likely will blanket the park with smoke. In good years, it’s hardly an issue, but some years it’s harmful to even be outside.
It is also worth considering when Yosemite is busiest. This is one of the busiest parks in the country, so be ready for crowds if you visit in peak season, namely summer. Some people are really turned off by the crowds, and I agree if you only visit the valley, but there are always places to get away from the big crowds. This can cause issues with finding campsites in the park though.
Overall, I would say that late spring is probably the best time of year to visit Yosemite. The temperatures are comfortable, rain is rare, and the crowds are lighter than summer. Late autumn is also a great time to visit as spring may still have snow lingering on the trails.
The last thing to consider when planning your visit is that the high elevation roads through the park close for snow. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road both close from winter to whenever the snow melts (usually May or June but it varies). Spring will limit where you can go in the park, so if you really want to explore the high country, wait at least until late June!
Links For Further Reading:
Best trails in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park (US National Park Service)
Yosemite National Park | Lodging & Year Round Activities | TravelYosemite.com
Yosemite National Park | Lodging, Camping, Attractions | Yosemite.com
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