Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are magnificent natural landmarks located in Yosemite National Park near Glacier Point. The views from each location are out-of-this-world! From Taft Point you can see El Capitan and Yosemite Falls, and from Sentinel Dome you can see Nevada Fall and Half Dome.
There are many ways to reach both Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, and the most popular route is a 5-mile loop hike. Make your way towards Sentinel Dome, scramble to the top, and admire the incredible 360-degree views. Then hop onto the famous Pohono Trail for even more spectacular views of Yosemite Valley as you head towards Taft Point.
Taft Point is a very popular spot for watching sunrise or sunset, exploring the huge granite mountain and its vertical cliffs, and finding all the amazing viewpoints of Yosemite Valley. You will also see The Fissures which are narrow fractures in the granite that go down as far as 2,000 feet below. Add this amazing loop hike to your list of hikes to do while visiting Yosemite National Park!
Table of Contents
Know Before You Go
Entrance Pass
Entrance into Yosemite National Park is $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass then you get in for free. If you don’t have an America the Beautiful Pass and you visit National Parks frequently, we highly recommend making the purchase! It costs $80 for one whole year.
Reservations and Timed Entry
A reservation is required from 5 AM to 4 PM on some dates from April 13 through October 27, 2024.
- April 13 to June 30: weekends and holidays only
- July 1–August 16: daily
- August 17– October 27: weekends and holidays only
Glacier Point Road
The main trailheads of Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are located off the Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park. Glacier Point Road is closed seasonally during the colder months and reopens sometime in May.
Always check the National Park Service website for road status updates prior to your trip!
Avoid the Yosemite Crowds
Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in America. If you have visited before, then you will understand why. The entire place is beautiful! Absolutely breathtaking. Because of this everyone and their mom wants to visit. This results in big crowds, especially during peak season.
Thankfully, reservations and timed entries have been put in place to help control the crowds. But to help avoid loads of people in popular spots, read this: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors.
Leave No Trace
Before you go, please make sure you understand the Leave No Trace principles. These seven principles help reduce our environmental impact from outdoor recreational activities. Nature is meant to be enjoyed and respected. 🌱
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
About the Trail
Taft Point and Sentinel Dome Loop
Location: Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are located near Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park, California.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 5 miles with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 2.5 to 4 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is a loop hike.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail consists of dirt/rocky, stream crossings, few switchbacks.
Pet-friendly? No, pets are not allowed.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The trailhead of Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are located off the Glacier Point Road a little over 2 miles away from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park.
Parking at the trailhead is limited and it’s a popular hike, so make sure to arrive early to secure a parking spot!
Put this address in Google Maps: Taft Point Trailhead, TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, CA 95389
Trail Directions
Taft Point and Sentinel Dome Loop
Let me start off by saying that this loop can be hiked in either direction that pleases you. Based on many reviews about this hike, most people tend to hike to Sentinel Dome first then Taft Point next.
With that being said, from the trailhead, start your hike by taking a right towards Sentinel Dome. Soon there will be a sign that indicates the final 0.5 mile-push to the summit of Sentinel Dome.
This section will be steep! Take your time. It will be worth it once you get to the top and see the breathtaking panoramic views of Yosemite Valley!
Make your way back down Sentinel Dome and to the junction in the trail. Take a left to get onto the Pohono Trail. Be prepared for more breathtaking vistas!
Make your way through pine forests and open meadows. Take time to enjoy the beautiful views of Yosemite Valley peeking through the trees.
There is an incredible spot called Roosevelt Point which offers more amazing views of Yosemite Valley. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture but it’s worth a quick stop!
Continue along the Pohono Trail as you get closer to Taft Point.
Soon, you will see a massive open area full of granite everywhere. Check out the giant fissures, known as The Fissures, which are simply giant cracks in the granite. Super neat!
Continue climbing up towards a spot with guardrails. It’s literally the only spot with guardrails, so be careful if exploring the area. The drop offs over the vertical cliffs at Taft Point are… deadly. And speaking of deadly ledges, there is a popular spot where people love to take pictures (see picture below). Again, just be careful!
The views from Taft Point are stunning! Find a safe spot to sit down, hydrate, and eat snacks. Take your time to enjoy the amazing natural wonders of Yosemite National Park.
To finish the loop, head back down the Pohono Trail towards a junction in the trail. Take a right to head back to the parking lot. Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Alternate Routes
Taft Point and Sentinel Dome (out-and-back via Pohono Trail)
This is the route me and my husband took when we visited Yosemite in 2023. It was great, and we loved this hike so much! Rather than completing a loop, you can hike to both Taft Point and Sentinel Dome via the scenic Pohono Trail.
Length: 8.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Route Type: Out-and-back
Start from Glacier Point and follow the signs for Pohono Trail (or Taft Point/Sentinel Dome). Follow the Pohono Trail until you reach Sentinel Dome. Head back down the dome to get back onto the Pohono Trail. Make your way towards Taft Point and The Fissures. Once you’ve had your time basking in the amazing-ness of Taft Point, retrace your steps to return to Glacier Point.
Sentinel Dome (only)
Do you only want to hike to Sentinel Dome? Ok cool, let’s go!
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Route Type: Out-and-back
Starting from the trailhead, take a right to head towards Sentinel Dome. Soon you will reach a junction in the trail with a sign indicating 0.5 miles left to go. Continue along the trail until you reach the base of the dome. Scramble up the dome to the top for spectacular panoramic views of Yosemite Valley! Retrace your steps to return back to the trailhead.
Taft Point (Only)
Do you only want to hike to Taft Point? Great, let’s go!
Length: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Route Type: Out-and-back
Starting from the trailhead, take left to head towards Taft Point. At a junction in the trail, take a left. You will first reach the famous fissures which are giant cracks in the granite. Head towards the small area with guardrails and stand in awe as you admire the views of Yosemite Valley from Taft Point. Retrace your steps to return to the trailhead.
We Vlogged Our Experience!
More Hikes in Yosemite with Amazing Views
Upper Yosemite Falls: Conquer this 7 mile out-and-back hike which takes you to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. Enjoy the rewarding and jaw-dropping views of Yosemite Valley. Be prepared as there is a lot of elevation gain (about 3,200 feet), and the slippery, rocky terrain adds to the challenge. However, this trail is worth every step! Once you reach the top, you’ll understand why.
Vernal and Nevada Falls: Take the famous Mist Trail to see Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall then complete the loop via the John Muir Trail for a total of 6.5 miles and about 2,200 feet of elevation gain. Add this beautiful hike to your chasing-waterfalls-in-Yosemite bucket list!
Illilouette Falls: Hike along one of the most scenic trails in Yosemite National Park to a 370-foot waterfall. The Panorama Trail to Illilouette Fall offers stunning views of Yosemite Valley, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, and Half Dome. This trail is less trafficked as compared to other popular trails in Yosemite, so you will be able to enjoy a peaceful and quiet hike to a beautiful waterfall.
Chilnualna Falls: Hike to Yosemite’s most underrated waterfall known as Chilnualna Falls (pronounced “Chil-noo-al-na”). Located in the Wawona area of Yosemite National Park, this waterfall consists of 5 large cascades with the tallest one dropping 240 feet. The 8.2-mile out-and-back hike will take you through pine-dense forests, pass beautiful vistas, and offers spectacular views of Chilnualna Falls and its cascades.
Half Dome: Located in Yosemite Valley, Half Dome is one of the most challenging and most popular hike in all of Yosemite. This is a 16-mile roundtrip hike with nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain! This hike requires a permit, and the cables usually go back up in late May. Learn more about hiking Half Dome here.
Enjoyed this post? Pin for later!
Great blog! I love how you’ve organized it into sections with a table of contents. Very impressive! And great pics!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you provided some feedback. I always wonder what people think of the blog posts haha 🙂