Taft Point via Glacier Point Hike

Overwhelm yourself with dramatic panoramas of Yosemite Valley, including views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and more. As the trail is adorned with Jeffrey trees and ponderosa pines, be sure to stick your nose to a tree to get a whiff of the butterscotch and vanilla-smelling conifers. Make sure to wear sturdy footwear, as sections of the path are rough and uneven, most notably at Taft Point. When visiting Taft Point after a good rainfall, be sure to keep your distance from the cliff’s edge as the granite overlook can be incredibly slippery. Note: visitors are subject to a fee charged by the National Park; refer to the NPS website for additional information.

Embark on your adventure from the Glacier Point Trailhead. Setting out along the Panorama Trail, you will be guided west up to Sentinel Point. Revel in the expansive views of the dramatic landscape, then retrace your footing back down the dome to the intersection. Take a sharp left and wander southwest through the mixed pines in order to make your way along the southern rim of Yosemite Valley. Soon the path will intersect with Sentinel Creek, before climbing gently up to Taft Point and The Fissures.

Take some time to revel in the scenery of El Capitan and the bustling valley below. After admiring the grandeur of the landscape, retrace your footing along the path back to the trailhead.