Ooo . . . Get Back From the Edge! Hiking Sentinal Dome in Yosemite

Before we left for our trip to this magnificent park, one of our dear friends said “Did you hear about that guy who died in Acadia National Park just getting out of his car to take a picture?” No, I hadn’t. Thanks Vince 😳

That said, it is important to have a healthy respect for these wonderfully wild and beautiful places and try to be as aware of your surroundings as possible. You can’t prevent every accident, but it was time to put Pokemon Go away.
Before our hike to Sentinal Dome, we started out with a nice easy hike through Nelder Grove. Since Mariposa Grove is closed for restorations until Spring 2017, we got this great tip from the owner of our B&B (Evergreen Haus) so we could still get our big tree fix.  Nelder Grove and Shadow of the Giants is an easy and fairly flat hike but not crowded at all (only the occasional German tourist) and with great payoffs.

Then, to prep even more,we decided to catch a power nap back at the inn before the big hike. This way, we would start in cooler temps and maybe catch the sunset. Ahhh…vacation!

It wasn’t until we began our drive to the trail head that I start to get nervous. How long is this hike? Jimmy thinks it is 6 miles round trip. Wait, I can’t do that!!!  That would take us at least 2.5 hrs maybe more and it could be dark, and what about the bears and wild cats, and for sure we will never make it out alive!!

Jimmy does his best to reassure me but I am not assuaged until I can read for myself that it is only a 2-mile round trip and rated easy to moderate.

We get to the trail head around 5:30. Sun still high in the sky and surrounded by other hikers. Calmness sets in. Thanks Jimmy for hanging in there with me.
It was as they said…a pretty easy hike. We meet nice people along the way and even see a family of sooty grouse (a very cool siting). My nerves don’t kick in again until I see the final ascent. I trudge up trying not to think about the LONG way down to the valley.

Finally at the top, we are rewarded with a totally awesome 360 degree view. I am truly speechless. Not only because of the view but also because everywhere I look it seems like people are standing on the very precipice of danger. I choose to stop looking.

The way down this large rock is not as bad as I thought, and Jimmy rewards me with some relaxing bird watching in the tall cedars nearby. Another life list bird gotten: acorn woodpecker.

All in all it was a great day. I totally recommend both of these hikes. One for the beauty of majestic trees and one for breathtaking views. Just don’t go too close to the edge…it makes me nervous.