While most people will recommend Glacier Point as the spot to watch sunset in Yosemite National Park, we prefer the short hike through the forest, less crowds, and the unforgettable view of the sun setting over El Capitan at Taft Point.
At only 1.1 miles one-way, Taft Point is the perfect short & sweet hike to an epic sunset spot. The hike itself is pleasant, but nothing earth-shattering. In this case, it’s really the destination that’s the showstopper.
Taft Point shares a parking lot and a trailhead with Sentinel Dome, so it can easily fill up. We recommend getting there early to save your spot, and while you’re waiting for golden hour, you can do what we did and do the quick hike to Sentinel Dome for some great views down the opposite end of the valley.
The trail quickly leads to a forested area that shows off the variety of Yosemite’s vegetation: red firs, lodgepole pines, vanilla-scented Jeffrey pines (get up close and smell the bark!), and even some patches of PNW-y ferns.
Near the beginning of the forest you’ll cross Sentinel Creek, a seasonal creek that flows into the valley as Sentinel Falls. For us, in mid-August, it was completely dry.
Eventually, after hiking just over a mile, the forest will give way to a granite outcropping with amazing panoramic views of Yosemite Valley (from the south side).
As you make your way to the edge, you’ll pass The Fissures, deep narrow chasms extending over a 1,000 feet to valley below.
Taft Point, which was named after President William Howard Taft, who visited the park in 1909 with John Muir, is definitely not for the faint of heart. Unlike Glacier Point, which is riddled by railings, there is only a small set of them at the highest point. The rest of the area is completely exposed – so be careful! As you look to the west, you’ll be treated to an awesome view of El Capitan.
We packed dinner to enjoy while we watched the beautiful sunset. After snapping tons of photos, we put on our headlamps and made our way back up the trail.
