The short excursion from ~Glacier Point~ to the summit of ~Sentinel Dome~ is well worth while. The round trip can easily be made afoot in two hours and many hikers include it in their "Glacier Point" day.
From the hotel we follow the ~Chinquapin Road~ about a quarter of a mile. Just beyond a spring at the left of the road, the trail turns to the right and climbs abruptly beneath the firs and pines. Gradually the forest becomes more open and park-like, and the firs are replaced by hardy Jeffrey pines. During the last quarter mile of the ascent we pass over weathered granite which has exfoliated in slabs near the top. At the rounded summit is a gnarled and wind-blown Jeffrey pine--probably the most photographed tree in the park. To the east is an exceptionally fine panorama of the High Sierra.
In returning to Glacier Point we follow the trail to the south, intersecting the road about 300 yards away. Here we turn left, noting the soft decomposing granite which seems particularly susceptible to weather conditions. The distance beyond to the hotel is one and a half miles.
GLACIER POINT TO FORT MONROE _via_ POHONO TRAIL
(11.7 miles--5 hours. Round trip from Yosemite, 24 miles--13 hours)
This is one of the most beautiful Yosemite trails. With very little climbing the trail parallels the south rim thru delightfully attractive forests and wild-flower gardens, emerging from time to time to reveal vast views across and into the valley. The round trip from Yosemite to Glacier Point and thence to Fort Monroe via the Pohono Trail, returning to the valley via the Wawona Road is too long a trip to be attempted by the average walker in one day. It is best to stay over night at the Glacier Point Hotel, starting early the next morning.
Leaving the ~Glacier Point Hotel~ we follow the road southwestward about two miles, turning to the right at the ~Pohono Trail~ sign. We now follow thru a dense fir forest for one mile, emerging at the canyon rim at ~The Fissures~. These are great cracks only a few feet wide and hundreds of feet deep. Just beyond is ~Taft Point~ (Alt. 7503). From here is a wonderful view, especially of the sheer 3500-foot precipices of ~El Capitan~ and ~Three Brothers~ rising as massive buttresses of the great north wall.