Since Glacier Point Road is opening today, here are the directions for a really nice, but very short, hike. A shortcut to the top of Sentinel Dome.
- Drive East on Glacier Point Road from Wawona Road (highway 41), towards Glacier Point. After you have driven about 14 miles, you will come to the Sentinel Dome/Taft Point trailhead, on the left. There a parking area and an outhouse. (Toilet) Don’t stop here, you can make the hike two miles shorter!
- Drive about 0.7 miles, the road curves to your left. Right as you see a right turn, you will see a steel gate and a fire road on your left. It will probably have snow on it. Directly across the road on the right is room to park. (Assuming snow is not deep.)
- If you walk past the gate and follow the fire road to the Sentinel Dome trail, and turn right on the trail. After another 5 minutes or so, you can walk to the top of Sentinel Dome, on your left. Great view, not nearly as many people as Glacier Point.
- Using this may save you an hour of hiking time from your round trip. More if there is snow on the ground.
Note – You can go to Google Maps and see the fire road and the Sentinel Dome trail. Look for the place Glacier Point Road makes a 90 degree right turn. Just look for “Sentinel Dome”.
I think this is one of the greatest short hikes anywhere. You get to see some great views for just a little bit of uphill waking. It will probably be cold and windy on top of Sentinel Dome.
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