Fantastic views to start off a week at Yosemite

Coppertone and I decided to do this hike as our first during our first ever trip to Yosemite.  We started off at the Sentinel Dome parking area (we also hiked that trail today) and veered left soon after the trailhead.  Not far down the trail sits a huge chunk of quartz, one of the largest I've seen not in a linear form.

Along the trail another hiker keyed us in on a grouse hen sitting motionless just off the trail.  We paused for a moment to look before continuing on.  At no point did she seem to move a muscle.

Much to our surprise we watched the Blue Angels fly over the valley several times before flying off into the distance.  Just coming from the Bay Area we knew they were in San Francisco for Fleet Week just days ago.  We never thought we would see them here.

Once the trail makes it near Taft Point the solid rock surface lets the hiker spread out and explore numerous spots on the edge of sheer dropoffs.  We had lunch while soaking in the views.  El Capitan is easily within view and large part of the valley unfolds below.