Day 1- Sentinel Dome and Taft Point

9/1/20  Our first full day in the Valley. We drove out to Glacier Point and hiked up to Sentinel Dome and then to Taft Point and the Fissures. Great views despite the smoky conditions.
IMG_3521 The views were smoky for most of the week due to the wildfires, but they tended to clear up a little in the afternoon. But smoky or not, the view from Glacier...
The views were smoky for most of the week due to the wildfires, but they tended to clear up a little in the afternoon. But smoky or not, the view from Glacier…
IMG_3529 The visitor area on top of Glacier Point.
The visitor area on top of Glacier Point.
IMG_3535 Heading out on the Pohono trail now towards Sentinel Dome.
Heading out on the Pohono trail now towards Sentinel Dome.
IMG_3541 Heading up the last bit towards the top of Sentinel Dome.
Heading up the last bit towards the top of Sentinel Dome.
IMG_3548 Nice views of El Capitan and the Cathedral Spires.
Nice views of El Capitan and the Cathedral Spires.
IMG_3558 Dr. Rock and I on Sentinel Dome.
Dr. Rock and I on Sentinel Dome.
IMG_3561 Hazy views up Tenaya Canyon.
Hazy views up Tenaya Canyon.
IMG_3564 The ghost of Yosemite Falls. You can see the lighter color area on the rock where it would normally be, and then dark black to the left caused by the spray.
The ghost of Yosemite Falls. You can see the lighter color area on the rock where it would normally be, and then dark black to the left caused by the spray.
IMG_3566 Continuing along the wide, well groomed Pohono trail towards Taft Point.
Continuing along the wide, well groomed Pohono trail towards Taft Point.
IMG_3569 Fortunately, this area of the forest has been spared from fire.
Fortunately, this area of the forest has been spared from fire.
IMG_3570 A look back at Sentinel Dome.
A look back at Sentinel Dome.
IMG_3573 Panorama from the Pohono. El Capitan, Eagle Peak, and Yosemite Falls.
Panorama from the Pohono. El Capitan, Eagle Peak, and Yosemite Falls.
IMG_3575 A beautiful area of ferns on the Pohono.
A beautiful area of ferns on the Pohono.
IMG_3579 This area is still lush green even in early September of a dry year.
This area is still lush green even in early September of a dry year.
IMG_3612 Made it Taft Point and the Fissures. This giant crack is over 1,000' deep.
Made it Taft Point and the Fissures. This giant crack is over 1,000' deep.
IMG_3588 Dr. Rock and his daughter at Taft Point. It's a challenging spot if you have any fear of heights!
Dr. Rock and his daughter at Taft Point. It's a challenging spot if you have any fear of heights!
IMG_3592 El Capitan and Eagle Peak from Taft Point. Unbelievable that Alex Honnold free solo'd that face!
El Capitan and Eagle Peak from Taft Point. Unbelievable that Alex Honnold free solo'd that face!
IMG_3609 That's Dr. Rock and his daughter posing for an all-time epic shot!
That's Dr. Rock and his daughter posing for an all-time epic shot!
IMG_3619 Heading back to Glacier Point now, the air is starting to clear a little.
Heading back to Glacier Point now, the air is starting to clear a little.
IMG_3625 This is the view that got me hooked in 8th grade. I just knew I had to come back. A lot.
This is the view that got me hooked in 8th grade. I just knew I had to come back. A lot.