Hike Sentinel Dome and Taft Point from Glacier Point — Yosemite Day Hike Guide
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6–8 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate endurance—able to handle a steep first mile and sustained walking on variable terrain.
Overview
A 6.8-mile loop from Glacier Point to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point serves up expansive valley views, Ansel Adams’ photo angles, and dramatic granite fissures. This moderately paced day hike mixes a punchy opening mile with easy-to-moderate slab travel and big, exposed viewpoints.
Hike Sentinel Dome and Taft Point from Glacier Point — Yosemite Day Hike Guide
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On a clear morning the granite opens like a map: Glacier Point lays out Yosemite Valley beneath you while the trail ahead drops and rises across sun-scoured slabs and white-pine pockets. The group meets at the east end near the Glacier Point lookout, studies the vast drop to Yosemite Valley, then drives a few minutes to the Sentinel Dome parking lot to begin a loop that threads the top of the range. Over 6.8 miles you'll hit Sentinel Dome's rounded summit (8,122') and continue to the fissures and cantilevered ledges of Taft Point, where wind and gravity choreograph some of Yosemite's most dramatic views.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Start before 9 AM
Morning light means fewer crowds on the narrow ledges at Taft Point and cooler temperatures for the exposed sections.
Bring 2–3 liters of water
There’s long sun exposure and no reliable water sources on the loop—hydrate before you go and carry enough for the duration.
Watch for slick granite
Granite slabs can be deceptively slick when wet or icy—choose shoes with good traction and consider trekking poles for stability.
Respect cliff edges
Taft Point features unprotected drop-offs and fissures; keep small children and dogs (only service animals allowed) well back from edges.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Steller’s jay
History
Glacier Point Road and the viewpoints along it were developed in the early 1900s to provide visitors with dramatic valley perspectives; photographers like Ansel Adams popularized these high-angle views.
Conservation
Stick to established trails and avoid stepping on fragile alpine vegetation; Yosemite’s high-country soils recover slowly, so leave no trace and pack out all trash.
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Adventure Hotspots in Yosemite Valley
Recommended Gear
Sturdy hiking shoes
Good grip on slabs and protection for rocky, uneven trail surfaces.
2–3 liters water and water bottle
Adequate hydration for a 6.8-mile exposed loop—no reliable water on route.
summer specific
Layered clothing and wind shell
Temperature swings are common at high elevation; a wind layer helps on exposed viewpoints.
spring specific
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, SPF)
Long stretches of direct sun on granite make UV protection critical.
summer specific