Family Reunion Hike

July 9, 2012
Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park
Total distance walked:  2.4 miles

The three-day family reunion concluded yesterday. Relatives came from across California to partake in the weekend event, which celebrated our parents’ birthdays.

Today’s hike to Sentinel Dome was a rare treat. Four of the kids stayed an extra day (two of them being our youngest children who were home from college). It isn’t often we are all together.

We drove up Glacier Point Road to the small parking area, arriving too late for a spot in the lot; however, many roadside areas were available for parking. Remember to observe the speed limit on Glacier Point Drive. In the summer, the Park Police actively enforce it and issue tickets to those speeding, as we have personally experienced by receiving a ticket.

As we ascended the trail at noon, Mariposa lilies flourished, sprinkling the path with touches of white.

The weather was roughly 20 degrees cooler than at home, which resulted in a delightful hike. The Youth Conservation Corps members were busy with trail maintenance in the hot sun. Undoubtedly, they were grateful for the refreshing breeze wafting through the trees.

The trail inclined gently and, despite some rocky sections, was easy to traverse. We saw many hikers on this brief journey. Prior to ascending the dome, we discovered a tree that offered shade for our picnic.

We looked down upon the valley below, observed the diminished Yosemite Falls, and beheld the grand granite monolith, El Capitan. The blue sky held no clouds allowing us to see the many peaks of the High Sierra in the distance.

Four of us ascended to the top of Sentinel Dome while the rest remained below enjoying the cool respite. Clusters of mountain pride and swathes of Indian paintbrush decorated the dome.

The panoramic view was breathtaking, with Half Dome taking center stage. Additionally, Nevada Fall boasted a significantly more robust flow than the diminishing cascade of Yosemite Falls.

Anthony, an adept photographer, captured numerous images with his professional-grade camera. In contrast, my glossy red point-and-shoot camera appeared almost toy-like beside his.

Photo credit: Anthony

Photo credit: Anthony

The four of us descended the dome and, along with the others, made our way back to the car. Chris and I greatly cherished the moments spent with the kids, particularly when sharing the splendor of Yosemite.