Instead, the shortest route to Taft Point will be to hike the 4-Mile Trail 4.7 miles (7.5 km) from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point, then take the Pohono Trail another 3.4 miles (5.5 km) to Taft Point, for a total of 8.1 miles (13 km) one way. Why Hike to Taft Point? It's Glacier Point without the guardrails.
Can you walk to Taft Point?
Scenery Summary: The trail to Taft Point is just another walk in the woods, but you'll never forget Taft Point itself. You can walk, if you dare, right up to the cliff's edge and peer straight down, unencumbered by the stone walls that hem the visitors in at Glacier Point.
How to get to Taft Point in Yosemite?
Taft Point in Yosemite National Park. To get to the trailhead: From Highway 41, ten miles south of Yosemite Valley and seventeen miles from the south entrance, turn east onto Glacier Point Road. Drive thirteen miles to the well-marked trailhead, located two miles from the end of the road at Glacier Point.
How high is Taft Point?
Taft Point Elevation: 7,500 feet (2,285 meters) Elevation Change: 200 feet (60 meters) descent Hiking Time: 1 - 2 hours Why Hike to Taft Point? It's Glacier Point without the guardrails. Dramatic vistas of Yosemite Valley, especially El Capitan. Guaranteed to help you answer the question: Am I afraid of heights or not?
How did Taft Point get its name?
A railing welded into the rock marks the lookout on Taft Point. The point is named after William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States who visited the park in 1909. Perhaps the president was looking for views similar to nearby Glacier Point without all the crowds. This is what you will find today.
How hard is the hike to Taft Point?
Experience this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail near Yosemite Valley, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 2 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Where does Taft Point trail start?
Glacier Point RoadThe trailhead for Taft Point is on Glacier Point Road, which is closed in the winter. Check the park website for the status of any road closures. To navigate, press the arrow keys. The trailhead is about 6 miles after you turn-off onto Glacier Point Road, and the parking lot is on the left-hand side of the road.
Is Taft Point accessible?
The Sentinel Dome and Taft Point trails can be combined into a loop hike. Hours: The trail is only accessible when the Glacier Point Road is open, approximately late May through October or November.
How do you get to Glacier Point by car?
When open, you can drive to Glacier Point by traveling on the Wawona Road (the continuation of Highway 41 within the park)—either north from Wawona or south from Yosemite Valley. After traveling about 13 miles, turn on to the Glacier Point Road at the Chinquapin intersection.
What is the best hike in Yosemite?
11 Top-Rated Hikes in Yosemite National ParkYosemite Falls Trail. Yosemite Falls Trail | Photo Copyright: Lana Law. ... Half Dome Hike. Cables on Half Dome. ... Mist Trail to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. ... Mirror Lake Trail. ... Sentinel Dome Trail. ... Cathedral Lakes. ... May Lake Trail and Mount Hoffmann. ... Bridalveil Fall Hike.More items...•
Is Taft Point accessible in winter?
The winding Tioga Road is closed altogether in winter since it winds up to 10,000ft above sea level and becomes impassable. Meanwhile, Glacier Road which winds up to the incredible vista at Taft Point is closed to cars at five miles in so it can be used by cross country skiers and snowshoers.
How long does it take to hike Glacier Point?
Rating:Short family-friendly strollAccess:The end of the 16-mile long Glacier Point RoadTime Required:15-30 minutesLength:.7 miles totalElevation Change:Mostly level1 more row
Can you drive to Sentinel Dome?
The trailhead starts at the Sentinal Dome / Taft Point stop on the shuttle, and there is limited parking if you drive yourself to the trailhead. During the summer, they require you to take the shuttle from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, but you can drive in if you go before or after that time.
How do you get to Taft Point in Yosemite?
Getting There: From the South entrance to Yosemite, turn left and travel 17.3 miles (28 km) to Glacier Point Road. From the valley, take road 41 nine miles (14.5 km) to the same road. Once you're on Glacier Point Road, follow it to the trailhead 13.6 miles (22 km) later.
Is Glacier Point Road scary?
There's one spot called Darwin's Curve that gets some attention, but overall most people will not consider the Glacier Point road to be scary. By comparison it's no worse than other local roads like route 120 (Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows) or route 41 (Wawona, Mariposa Grove).
How far is Glacier Point from the parking lot?
The actual Glacier Point is located at the end of a short 700 ft walk from the parking lot and you can get different angles of Yosemite Valley and of Half Dome at many points along the way. Glacier Point is the most impressive spot as you look down nearly 3200 ft to the valley floor! Just be careful.
How many selfies have died in the Grand Canyon?
Last fall, a travel-blogging couple fell 800 feet to their deaths at Yosemite National Park. A photographer spotted them moments earlier at the edge of a cliff. A study found in a 7-year period, 259 people worldwide died while taking selfies.
How many people die Yosemite?
About 6.3 million people visited Grand Canyon's vast expanse in 2017. At least 10 people have died in Yosemite this year, six of them from falls and the others for reasons including underlying medical conditions to lack of water.
How do you hike to Taft Point?
To get to the trailhead: From Highway 41, ten miles south of Yosemite Valley and seventeen miles from the south entrance, turn east onto Glacier Point Road. Drive thirteen miles to the well-marked trailhead, located two miles from the end of the road at Glacier Point.
Can you camp at Taft Point?
Heading west from Taft Point on the Pohono you are not allowed to camp until the Bridalveil Creek crossing. This trail travels west along the south rim of the Valley, leading to beautiful vistas, such as Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, Dewey Point, and Inspiration Point.
How long is the hike to Yosemite Falls?
The trail to Upper Yosemite Fall is about 3 miles one way, gaining approximately 3,000 feet in elevation along the way. Once you get to the top of the valley, you can go to Yosemite Fall Overlook, a small platform near the mouth of Upper Yosemite Fall, to enjoy the thrilling views of looking down from above.
How do I get to Lower Yosemite Falls?
To get to the trailhead: Drive into Yosemite Valley and park at either Curry Village or the park visitor center. Take the free park shuttle to stop number 6, which is the trailhead for Lower Yosemite Fall Trail.
How do I get to the Sentinel Dome?
For Sentinel Dome: At the trailhead, turn right to head toward Sentinel Dome. Once near the dome, the trail meets an old road. Follow the road to the northeast side of the dome, where the incline is less imposing. Scramble up the side of the dome and, at the top, enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panorama.
How to get to Taft Point?
To get to the trailhead: From Highway 41, ten miles south of Yosemite Valley and seventeen miles from the south entrance, turn east onto Glacier Point Road. Drive thirteen miles to the well-marked trailhead, located two miles from the end of the road at Glacier Point. The trailhead is shared by Sentinel Dome Trail, which heads northeast.
Where is Taft Point Trail?
Taft Point Trail is an excellent summertime hike. Taft Point. To get to the trailhead: From Highway 41, ten miles south of Yosemite Valley ...
How long is the Taft Point hike?
The panoramic view from Taft Point and the rock fissures nearby provide a rewarding 2-mile hike. The dirt single track descends just 250 feet to an outcropping on the south wall of Yosemite Valley that overlooks El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.
Who is Taft Point named after?
A railing welded into the rock marks the lookout on Taft Point. The point is named after William Howard Taft , the 27th president of the United States who visited the park in 1909. Perhaps the president was looking for views similar to nearby Glacier Point without all the crowds. This is what you will find today.
How long is the hike to Glacier Point?
This nearly 10-mile long one-way hike travels from Glacier Point down to Yosemite Valley in the most scenic way possible. This easy paved half-mile trail visits the base of a 620-foot single-drop waterfall on the south side of Yosemite Valley.
About Taft Point
Taft Point Yosemite is a beautiful hike with jaw-dropping views over Yosemite Valley. The parking lot to this rocky vista is located just a few miles from Glacier Point on Glacier Point Road, and though there are quite a few hikes in the area, this classic hike is the best way to end your day.
What to Bring
There are a few things you always want to bring while hiking, and a few extra things to bring while hiking Taft Point:
A Taft Point Wedding
Taft Point is an incredible point for elopements, engagement photos, and weddings (often photographed by me here at Kathryn Cooper Weddings). If you’re at Taft Point at sunset, chances are good that you’ll see a sunset wedding or elopement here. Because of the epic nature of this spot, it’s extremely popular for elopements and wedding photos.
When to Go
Taft Point in Yosemite National Park is only open from May through October, because that’s the only time Glacier Point Road—the no-outlet road and only road going through the upper section south of Yosemite Valley—is open. Any time of day is great to visit here—and it really is worth it any time of day—but Taft Point is best at sunset.
Taft Point, Yosemite National Park Photography Tips
The hike to the point is pretty easy and fairly flat 90% of the way. You can definitely load up on photography gear if that’s your thing, but honestly, you really only need a wide-angle and a zoom, and can get away with bringing just one body.
How many miles of parking is there at Glacier Point?
The lot shares the trailhead with Sentinel Dome and often fills up, so parked cars tend to fan out along the shoulders of Glacier Point Road, effectively adding another 16 miles of parking.
How far is Glacier Point Road from Yosemite?
Getting There: From the South entrance to Yosemite, turn left and travel 17.3 miles (28 km) to Glacier Point Road. From the valley, take road 41 nine miles (14.5 km) to the same road. Once you're on Glacier Point Road, follow it to the trailhead 13.6 miles (22 km) later.
Can you walk up to Glacier Point?
You can walk, if you dare, right up to the cliff's edge and peer straight down, unencumbered by the stone walls that hem the visitors in at Glacier Point. You'll get impressive views of the north valley wall, including El Capitan (which you'll actually be looking down on) and Yosemite Falls .
Is Taft Point a short hike?
It's a fairly short hike without a lot of elevation change. It rates a 3 out of 10. Scenery Summary: The trail to Taft Point is just another walk in the woods, but you'll never forget Taft Point itself. You can walk, if you dare, right up to the cliff's edge and peer straight down, unencumbered by the stone walls that hem ...
Is the dropoff at Taft Point fatal?
Hazards: The dropoff at Taft Point is steep, and a fall would be not just fatal, but squish-you-like-a-bug fatal. The fall is so far that your friends, waving their teary goodbyes and hoping you didn't have the only set of car keys, would lose sight of you before you reached the ground. So be careful.
How do you get to Taft Point Hike?
Getting There: From the South entrance to Yosemite, turn left and travel 17.3 miles (28 km) to Glacier Point Road. From the valley, take road 41 nine miles (14.5 km) to the same road. Once you’re on Glacier Point Road, follow it to the trailhead 13.6 miles (22 km) later.
Is Taft Point scary?
Very nice hike through the woods out to Taft Point. Breathtakingly beautiful and equally terrifying if you walk right up the guard rail. It took me several tries to muster up the courage to do it and I am not afraid of heights. Fissures are also very scary but extremely cool and right next to the trail.
Where do you park for Lower Yosemite Falls?
Parking: Try parking around Yosemite Village, along Northside Drive, or really anywhere you can, with the large lots at Yosemite Village and Curry Village (Half Dome Village) being your most likely bets. Walking through Yosemite Valley is hardly a burden. Nearest Restrooms: At the trailhead.
Do I need a reservation for Glacier Point?
Reservations are required to drive into Yosemite National Park beginning May 21. The Glacier Point Tour will not be operating in 2021.
What is Mariposa Grove?
Located in the southern portion of Yosemite, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. The national park idea is rooted in the Mariposa Grove.
Is driving to Yosemite dangerous?
Driving is dangerous: Yosemite, like anywhere, can be a dangerous place to drive, even in perfect conditions. Last month, a group of teenaged hikers was returning from Yosemite to Marin County after an excursion when their car left the road and crashed, killing one of them.
Is Curry Village open in winter?
Curry Village features standard hotel rooms, wood cabins and canvas tent cabin accommodations. Numerous dining options and activities are available at Curry Village. Renovations: Curry Village is closed for the season.
