Taft Point and the Fissures

Taft Point trail was a few miles away from Glacier Point, so we drove there to hike that 2.2 mile trail. It started out forested with A LOT of snow. Some of the trail was muddy and there were 4-5 stream crossings where we balanced on rocks and logs. The out-and-back trail descended down a rocky slope and ended at the edge of an abyss with sheer drops and another spectacular view of Yosemite valley. Along the cliff edge were massive narrow cracks in the rocks (called fissures) with drops of up to 2000 feet straight down between them.

As is typical, young adults were horsing around at the cliff's edge and fissures. There was a rope strung between two fissures, and I had to look away as one guy dangled from the rope to cross. (See picture). When he stood up on the rope with that sheer drop beneath him, I had to look away. Yikes! Unfortnately, the photos don't capture the depth and drama of the fissures very well.Read more