Taft Point

Leaving Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 229

Jeff

Looking back leaving Taft Point

Looking back towards Taft Point as we head back to the trailhead

After spending time soaking in the magnificent views offered to visitors at Taft Point, it was time to head back to the trailhead and parking area. As we made our way past the fissures, we took one last look back at the scene.

We had quite a day taking in valley views from both Glacier Point and Taft Point. These were adventures we will never forget!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Farther View of the Falls from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 228

Jeff

Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

A farther view of Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

Yesterday’s post touted the size, beauty and strength of Yosemite Falls. As part of that dialogue, I explained that being above the valley enables visitors to see the relationship of Yosemite’s features to each other.

This is a more distant view of the falls from farther back on the trail. You can get a better sense of where the falls are geographically and of course El Capitan would be toward the left of the frame (not visible) .

From this point, we started the return trip back to the car.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Yosemite Falls from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 227

Jeff

Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

A view of Yosemite Falls from Taft Point

When visitors are in and around Yosemite Valley during spring and early summer and they hear the roar of Yosemite Falls, they may walk toward the bottom level to watch the torrent of water free falling down the wall of the mountain and into the basin. It is quite a sight; and quite a splash I might add.

I suppose some visitors think that what they are viewing is the total of Yosemite Falls, but if they could actually see the entire waterfall, their amazement would increase more than twofold. It is huge!

That is the beauty of hiking at Glacier Point and Taft Point…you get to see the bird’s eye view of Yosemite Valley. There is more than meets the eye at ground level and it is easier to understand the relationship of all of the major attractions to each other when standing at the top of it all.

The photograph above shows the full scope of Yosemite Falls. It was wonderful, beautiful and powerful. The roar of the falls can be heard for quite a distance at ground level and lulled us to sleep at night.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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El Capitan’s Nose from Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 226

Jeff

El Capitan from Taft Trail

El Capitan close up from Taft Trail

Yesterday’s post showed a more distant picture of El Capitan with the surrounding meadows and the Merced River. This photo brings viewers a bit closer to El Capitan and the “nose” of the mountain.

The nose is the ridge facing left that juts out like a nose on a face. I guess mountains do have faces…don’t they?

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Taft Point – El Capitan – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 225

Jeff

Rock Formations - Taft Point Trail

A view of El Capitan from Taft Point

Once we arrived at Taft Point, the beautiful views opened up before us in a number of directions. The photo above shows El Capitan and the valley meadows. You might be able to discern the Merced River just off to the left of the meadow nearest El Capitan’s nose.

As you can see, I was standing relatively close to the edge, but leaning over a secured railing. It was quite a drop off and it was reassuring to have the “safety net” of a railing to lean against as I jockeyed for a position that would yield the desired picture.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 225 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Taft Point Rock Formations – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 224

Jeff

Rock Formations - Taft Point Trail

Rock formations abound along the ledge of the trail

Naturally hikers focus on the view at the end of the Taft Point Trail, but before arriving at the very end and seeing the valley, interesting rock formations can be found across the chasm on the other side of the mountain.

In another place, these might have been the main attraction; location, location, location.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 224 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Taft Point At the Edge – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 223

Jeff

At the edge of Taft Point

Part of the pay off for hiking to Taft Point; THE VIEW!

If you read yesterday’s post, you would probably have noted these quoted phrases describing Taft Point:

  • without the guardrails
  • dramatic vistas of Yosemite Valley
  • afraid of heights or not

And so it was! One thing about our National Parks which helps them be awesomely beautiful is that they don’t put fences or railings everywhere they can. There are some, but not an abundance. Part of the “thrill” of the alluring Taft Point panorama is the inherent danger.

There is one place, high and along the edge that does have a railing and is relatively safe. Hold onto young ones and those who might appear timid. One thing I have learned over the years is to respect the fear others may have. Don’t try to force anyone to take chances and leave the definition of “chances” strictly up to them.

While I am not afraid of heights and I do get fairly close to the edge, I don’t get quite as close as the people outlined along the precipice seen the upper-left of this photo.

The vista was so beautiful on this bright, sunny day that it is easy to appreciate why Yosemite is a favored destination of many.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 122 (Looking Over the Edge at Taft Point)

Jeff

A view from near the edge at Taft Point

El Capitan looms large when viewed from Taft Point

As I worked my way to the edge of a viewing area at Taft Point, I saw El Capitan in all if it’s glory. It was truly impressive. Look at all those nooks and crannies! The Yosemite Valley meadow stands out as a welcoming pathway.

Also visible is the Merced River meandering by on the left of the meadow areas. Look at the cliff on the left in the picture above. Did you notice…

A view from near the edge at Taft Point

In the enlarged portion of the photo above, there is one person near the left of the photo (circled in red) who is standing up and taking a picture and then there is a dangler under the yellow arrow. I am always astounded at how close to the edge some people feel comfortable.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 79 (A Duck Rock Formation)

Jeff

Duck rock formationThis rock formation on the way to Taft Point across from large fissures reminded me of a duck.

I am always saddened to hear stories of vandalism in our national parks and similar settings. Of course it is wrong at any time, but the wounds seem much deeper when they occur in such a beautiful area put aside for all to appreciate.

The recent destruction of the sandstone formation known as Duckbill Rock or Thor’s Fist on the Oregon Coast at Kape Kiwanda was one such incident. To pay homage to our now lost icon, I offer the above picture of a rock formation that appears duck-like. It doesn’t replace what was destroyed, but can remind us that we need to treasure the resources we have.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 48 (Taft Point Fissures)

Jeff

Taft Point Fissures 

The Fissures along the Taft Point Trail

I must confess that it is difficult to portray this physical phenomenon in a two dimensional picture, put fissures are large crevices (or cracks) in rocks. They can be very dangerous as they often intersect areas close to trails and form a hazard for hikers.

Naturally hikers need to be vigilant at all times, but when hiking with children, one needs to be doubly aware. Can you see the large crevice with the two small boulders that have fallen in the crack? That could be a person wedged in there. To make matters worse, some areas near the edge of the fissures have small shrubs along the perimieter which might camouflage them a bit.

Of course there are warning signs alerting hikers of the dangerous fissures and to alert families to hold children close.

NOTE – If you haven’t discerned the fissure, look at the picture below. The arrows point to the walls of the fissure and the red-orange ovals show the boulders that are wedged in the crack.

Taft Point Fissures Annotated 

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 48 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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