Yosemite N.P. - Glacier Point Road

One day we took a drive up Glacier Point Road. We had heard that Taft Point and Sentinel Dome were worthy hikes, and you could connect them via the Pohono Trail to make about a 5-mile loop. These points would give us our very first views of the Valley and it's namesakes: El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome.

Here's a view of Taft Point, with El Cap below:
At Taft Point there are also these fissures that are cut out of the cliffs edge creating a sliding board into the great abyss. Some of them are hidden behind bushes so they can be quite unnerving when you almost stumble upon one as you explore the area.

And here's the stunning Yosemite Valley. El Cap is on the right.
Sentinel Dome is yet another granite wonder. A climb to the top provides incredible 360-degree views. There used to be a twisted Jeffrey Pine at the top of the dome, but it died a few years ago and all that is left is what looks like driftwood. If you've been here, you might remember this famous tree.
After our hikes we went to the end of the road - Glacier Point. Partly to see the views, partly because we wanted hot chocolate. It flurried during our hike and the wind was bitter. All I could think of was how wonderful a cup of cocoa would taste. But the concessionaire at Glacier Point didn't have any - that should be a crime! How could any high-altitude concessionaire not sell hot chocolate? But the views were worth the drive to the end-of-the-road. In this scene you can see Half Dome to the left, Vernal Falls, and Nevada Falls.

No, this is not Andy being stupid. This guy, "Crazy-Crocs", went out on this overhang so his buddies could get a photo op. I told him he was crazy because he was wearing Crocs (and not even strapped) - not that I would've done this in my hiking boots anyway. I'm sure that rock has been there for hundreds of years, but it would be my luck to shift if I tried this stunt. That's Yosemite Falls behind him.
We loved our first views of the Valley from high up here on Glacier Point Road. It's an absolute wonderland of granite and water and trees.