Getting To Know You

August 11, 2015
Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop, Yosemite National Park
Total distance walked: 5 miles

The past year has been anything but ordinary. My daughter Julia tied the knot on October 17th! To ensure her wedding day was perfect, I paused nearly everything, including my beloved hiking trips. Despite the changes, the memories created with Julia and our extended family during this time are ones I will treasure forever. —October 29, 2015

If my memory serves me right, my last hike was over two months ago. It was a cool early August morning, with the temperature at the trailhead a crisp 63 degrees. That day, Eleanor joined me for the adventure. I met Eleanor for the first time that morning when I picked her up from my neighbors’ home—her brother and sister-in-law. She was visiting from England, where she lives in the charming village of Kinver. I was thrilled to be her guide through Yosemite.

A week before the hike, I dove into my books to find the perfect trail. To ensure we maximized our time in the park without dealing with excessive travel and crowds, I settled on the loop hike from Sentinel Dome to Taft Point.

The hike itself is straightforward, offering stunning views of Yosemite Valley along with intriguing sights like the fissures at Taft Point. Since I didn’t know Eleanor well, I hoped she would have a wonderful time and leave with a newfound appreciation for one of America’s magnificent national parks.

Despite being a couple of decades older than me, Eleanor is an incredibly active woman, playing tennis, golf, and bridge. We quickly hit it off with no awkwardness in getting to know one another. She handled the hike impressively, even with the elevation of 8,000 feet which was much higher than she was accustomed to. As we descended Sentinel Dome, I watched her jump from rock to rock like a joyful child. It brought a smile to my face.

Leaving Sentinel Dome, we took the longer path to Taft Point.

Although just fourteen days had passed since I last traversed this trail, it had transformed dramatically. Yosemite Falls had dried up; thick smoke lingered in the air above the falls from a campfire gone astray, and what was once a mud puddle in Sentinel Creek had turned into baked dirt.

Many of the wildflowers had withered, including the corn lilies that had been flourishing just days before. We encountered several deer along the trail, and as the day went on, we crossed paths with numerous hikers as well.

While we didn’t linger long at the five fissures, we made sure to see each one.

No matter how many times I return to this trail, I’m always astounded by the new experiences and sights I encounter each time.

This trip was particularly delightful as I got to know a new friend. Thank you, Eleanor, for giving me the opportunity to show you around my favorite place of all, Yosemite National Park.