Taft Point
Taft Point
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
321 reviews
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284
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36
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2
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Waddler
York, UK12,490 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Arrived at 7.30am to be the only car in either car park (there are two now, either of which is fine in providing access to the trail, the first one coming from the valley is slightly closer to Taft Pt and the second slightly closer to Sentinel Dome).
Its an easy, short peaceful trail with possibility of spotting wildlife including bears though I only spotted a squirrel.
You don't get the views until the end, but once you do they are spectacular and a good bolt-on to Glacier Point as the views are of the areas of the valley you don't see from Glacier Point (e.g. El Capitan).
There's an "official" viewpoint with a small piece of railing, but there are also at least equally impressive views from the unfenced cliffs slightly before and slightly after the railed section. Also look out for the fissures, including one with two boulders stuck in it.
Very much recommended. Car park half full on return at 8.30 (Monday after school holidays, during a storm Hilary).
Its an easy, short peaceful trail with possibility of spotting wildlife including bears though I only spotted a squirrel.
You don't get the views until the end, but once you do they are spectacular and a good bolt-on to Glacier Point as the views are of the areas of the valley you don't see from Glacier Point (e.g. El Capitan).
There's an "official" viewpoint with a small piece of railing, but there are also at least equally impressive views from the unfenced cliffs slightly before and slightly after the railed section. Also look out for the fissures, including one with two boulders stuck in it.
Very much recommended. Car park half full on return at 8.30 (Monday after school holidays, during a storm Hilary).
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PacificNWFamily
Washington State103,367 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
As part of a longer loop hike, I used the Taft Point Trail. This trail goes through the open granite area with blooming phlox as well as a forested area, past a meadow, and over several seasonal streams. Some streams have a few rocks to cross while some streams flowed right down the middle of the trail. Be prepared.
Taft Point views were as lovely as always.
Taft Point views were as lovely as always.
Written June 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt N
Moorpark, CA67 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Trail Specs::
Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5 km) round trip
Elevation at trailhead: 7,700 feet (2,345 meters)
Taft Point Elevation: 7,500 feet (2,285 meters)
Elevation Change: 200 feet (60 meters) descent
Hiking Time: 1 - 2 hours
The cliff and multiple 'diving board' like outcrops will take your breath away! There are spectacular views of the valley with a particularly epic view of El Capitan. If you bring binoculars and are patient with a steady hand you can spot climbers charging up El Cap.
We linked this with Sentinel Dome. You can hike East around the southern rim of the Valley to Sentinel and then loop back to the parking lot heading South from Sentinel. The Taft / Sentinel loop was about 6 miles and has a lot more elevation change than just walking to Taft and back to the parking lot.
Parking is at the trailhead. 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
Accessible only when Glacier Point Road is open, which is roughly June - October.
Outhouse bathrooms are at the trailhead.
Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5 km) round trip
Elevation at trailhead: 7,700 feet (2,345 meters)
Taft Point Elevation: 7,500 feet (2,285 meters)
Elevation Change: 200 feet (60 meters) descent
Hiking Time: 1 - 2 hours
The cliff and multiple 'diving board' like outcrops will take your breath away! There are spectacular views of the valley with a particularly epic view of El Capitan. If you bring binoculars and are patient with a steady hand you can spot climbers charging up El Cap.
We linked this with Sentinel Dome. You can hike East around the southern rim of the Valley to Sentinel and then loop back to the parking lot heading South from Sentinel. The Taft / Sentinel loop was about 6 miles and has a lot more elevation change than just walking to Taft and back to the parking lot.
Parking is at the trailhead. 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
Accessible only when Glacier Point Road is open, which is roughly June - October.
Outhouse bathrooms are at the trailhead.
Written November 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blueforce01
Tongeren, Belgium50 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
To reach Taft Point take the Glacier Point road. About 1,5 mile before Glacier point, you'll see a parking lot left of the road called "Sentinel - Taft Point Parking". It's a small parking with space for about 25 cars. There are some extra spaces along the road. There is a restroom at the parking but no water facilities. we took about 1,5 liter of water per person along the trail. The summer sun is very hot at the last part of the trail (no trees to provide shadow) so we were happy we did. Also sun cream factor 30 or more is a must.
Acces to the trail is in the middle of the parking lot. After 20 feet the trail splits. Go left to reach "Taft Poiint". It's a 1,5 mile walk. When you start on the trail, the walk is pretty flattened through a pine forest. After about 1 mile the forest opens and you'll reach a trail split. Follow left to taft point. After a few steps you'll start walking for about 0,3 mile on a rocky path towards taft point. The last 400 feet go up to Taft Point but are quite easy to do, even with kids. For those afraid of heights there's one look out protected by a fence, but the most spectacular view is just left of it. You'll get a good view on El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Return to the trail split. You can continue down the way you came to reach the parking lot. or you can turn left to hike towards 'sentinel dome'. This requires an additional 4 mile hike. Af first the trail stays in the forest and descends. After a while the trail starts climbing and you'll start walking on the ridge with great views on the Valley. The trail stays at all times safely away from the ridge (at least 15 feet) you can do this with children. The trail continues up and down through a pine forest. (Chances are you'll see a bear as we did). After about 1.5 miles the forest thickens and you start your way up to Sentinel Dome. The last part is steeper but not so difficult. You'll arrive at the base of the Dome t the point where this trail joins the one coming directly from the parking lot. Continue up the dome. On your way back down you can take the direct trail to the parking lot.
Acces to the trail is in the middle of the parking lot. After 20 feet the trail splits. Go left to reach "Taft Poiint". It's a 1,5 mile walk. When you start on the trail, the walk is pretty flattened through a pine forest. After about 1 mile the forest opens and you'll reach a trail split. Follow left to taft point. After a few steps you'll start walking for about 0,3 mile on a rocky path towards taft point. The last 400 feet go up to Taft Point but are quite easy to do, even with kids. For those afraid of heights there's one look out protected by a fence, but the most spectacular view is just left of it. You'll get a good view on El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Return to the trail split. You can continue down the way you came to reach the parking lot. or you can turn left to hike towards 'sentinel dome'. This requires an additional 4 mile hike. Af first the trail stays in the forest and descends. After a while the trail starts climbing and you'll start walking on the ridge with great views on the Valley. The trail stays at all times safely away from the ridge (at least 15 feet) you can do this with children. The trail continues up and down through a pine forest. (Chances are you'll see a bear as we did). After about 1.5 miles the forest thickens and you start your way up to Sentinel Dome. The last part is steeper but not so difficult. You'll arrive at the base of the Dome t the point where this trail joins the one coming directly from the parking lot. Continue up the dome. On your way back down you can take the direct trail to the parking lot.
Written July 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael F
Winter Haven, FL151 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
I am out of shape and have pulmonary hypertension, which makes breathing hard. In 4 hours, I hiked to Taft Point and then to Sentinel Dome. Both spots are very worth the effort. Amazing views. The best 'bang for your buck' - fantastic view with minimal hiking effort. You can do it.
Written June 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CruisingClarkes
Billericay, England, United Kingdom105 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This was a really good walk through pretty woods to the amazing views at Taft Point. When we got there, we found a group of slack liners preparing ropes over the insanely high gorge/valley and enjoyed watching them bounce and jump along the ropes - quite mad but they were tied on at least. The views are amazing up there, but so high and steep - we read that a couple sadly fell taking selfies and it's easy to see how this could happen. But well worth the walk - stunning views. Felt further than the advertised 1 or 1.5miles or whatever it said from the car park.
Written November 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoseTroy3
Bridgeport, AL862 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
This was our favorite part of our Yosemite trip and we almost forgot about it! We had one day left and decided if Tioga Pass was closed (it was mid Nov. when we went) we would go to Taft Point. When we pulled into the parking lot (on the left going to Glacier Point) we were discouraged be the amount of cars there. Well, they must have taken the hike to Sentinel Dome because when we hiked to Taft Point only a dozen people were there.
It is 1.2 miles to either Taft Point or Sentinel Dome and we chose Taft Point and were amazed at the views. The hike there isn't bad and you pass under moss covered evergreens and see a pristine forest. You emerge into a rocky landscape that overlooks Yosemite Valley. Most of the rocky overlooks do not have railings and is just as nature intended. There is one overlook that has a thin railing and that is it! We loved the majestic views of El Capitan and the valley below.
It wasn't until this trip that my sister discovered she had a fear of "extreme heights" and wouldn't go to any of the overlooks except one. There is a section where you can literally squeeze between two rocks and come out on a protected overlook (it even had grass growing there). I convinced her to come out there, so hopefully someone who is afraid of heights can find this area and get to see the awesome views of the valley below.
It is 1.2 miles to either Taft Point or Sentinel Dome and we chose Taft Point and were amazed at the views. The hike there isn't bad and you pass under moss covered evergreens and see a pristine forest. You emerge into a rocky landscape that overlooks Yosemite Valley. Most of the rocky overlooks do not have railings and is just as nature intended. There is one overlook that has a thin railing and that is it! We loved the majestic views of El Capitan and the valley below.
It wasn't until this trip that my sister discovered she had a fear of "extreme heights" and wouldn't go to any of the overlooks except one. There is a section where you can literally squeeze between two rocks and come out on a protected overlook (it even had grass growing there). I convinced her to come out there, so hopefully someone who is afraid of heights can find this area and get to see the awesome views of the valley below.
Written February 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John O
Los Angeles, CA1,114 contributions
Aug 2020
Nice easy hike, except for the end. Views are amazing and the crowds are easy at this time. Worth the effort on the way back from Glacier Point.
Written September 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tamura3d
Novato, CA106 contributions
Aug 2019
The crowds can be heavy at Glacier Point particularly during the summer. Another great view of Yosemite Valley from the rim can be seen from Taft Point about halfway on the drive out to Glacier Point. From the parking on Glacier Point Rd (pit toilet available) it is a 1.1 mile hike with no elevation gain. You will see the length of the Valley directly across from El Capitan with a good view of Yosemite Falls. In addition, along the trail to the point, you will pass by the Fissures, breaks in the solid granite cliffs that you can peer down into and that drop several hundred feet. A perfect short hike requiring little effort and with a great panaramic payoff at the end! Highly recommended.
Written August 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel H
Raleigh, NC137 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Taft point is only around a 1 mile hike if you drive to the trailhead. The view here is really amazing and the point is truly beautiful. Easy hike that just about anyone can do from the trailhead.
Written November 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So how exactly do you get that "lip point" photo - is it close by? Do you need to bring a friend? Where's that photo spot?
Thanks :)
Written June 20, 2019
You can actually take that one at Glacier Point on your own. We didn't take photos of similar views when we were on the trail because we were too focused on not sliding down into the valley.
Written July 27, 2019
Does anyone know the exact coordinates for Taft’s point? I can’t seem to find them
Thank you in advance
Written April 11, 2018
Is there a parking lot for this trail?
Written April 28, 2017
From what I remember, yes there is one. Be warned thought that is a SMALL one. Lots of people park on the side of the road. If you get there early enough, you will have no problem.
Written May 28, 2017
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