Spectacular Gems in Yosemite:
Glacier Point, Taft Point, and the Mariposa Grove
Yosemite National Park - Day 3
Breathtaking Vistas from Glacier Point
On our third day in Yosemite National Park, we arrived early at Glacier Point, a viewpoint overlooking Yosemite Valley at a staggering elevation of 7,214 feet. At this hour, we quickly found a parking spot. Of course, we got a spectacular vista of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding mountains. In the early morning light, the Half Dome, a granite dome with a near-vertical north face, looked stunning.
A Exciting Hike to Taft Point's Edge
Our next stop was at Taft Point, a granite rock arm extending above Yosemite Valley. This viewpoint is known for its breathtaking panoramic views of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Taft Point is also famous for its fissures; cracks in the granite rock can be several feet wide and drop hundreds of feet. I stayed close to the marked trail since these deep cracks were hardly visible, deceivingly hidden by vegetation.
Seeing Ancient Giants at Mariposa Grove
Our last hike was in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, near Yosemite National Park’s southern entrance. It’s the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite, with hundreds of giant sequoias, some over 3,000 years old. We followed the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail to see the Grizzly Giant, one of the grove’s most popular sequoias. Last year, the Washburn Fire threatened Mariposa Grove, but firefighters courageously protected all the mature giant sequoia trees. However, the damage from the fire is still visible in some areas.
More Visits to Yosemite National Park
Date
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Distances
about 6 miles in total
Moving Time
about 2.5 hours in total
WEATHER
45 to 81 °F, sunny, light breeze