The Rock Piles sign is the starting point for the hike to Sierra Point:
Looking past the Rock Piles sign to the hillside terrain immediately behind it:
We realized later that the key to finding the old Sierra Point Trail is to hike directly toward this small triangular rock. The first remnants of the old trail can be found just beyond:
The huge boulders must be navigated around and sometimes directly through them:
Portions of boulders must be carefully climbed up and over:
Rock cairns stacked on the boulders may or may not be misleading in this area:
We soon had a nice view looking across Yosemite Valley to Yosemite Falls:
This picture was taken while we were still lost in the forest searching for the trail:
Up above the blanket of trees which covers Yosemite Valley:
Finally coming across something that looks like it could be a trail. This was over two hours after we started. As it turns out, we were looking too far to the north. If we had found the trail right away, we could have been to this spot in twenty minutes:
View of Yosemite Valley from within the forest after we finally found the trail:
The trail was overgrown in some areas but it was still easy to follow:
The trail passes through an open area as it remains clearly visible:
These logs have been strategically placed to keep hikers from wandering off the trail. We stopped here, turned around, and looked up:
And this was what we saw. Dave can be seen here looking at the treacherous climb up loose and slippery rock steps:
A closer look reveals that the climb itself would not be so bad if it weren't for all the loose gravel. This is not an area where you would want to slip and begin sliding back down:
Looking at the top portion of the major obstacle. The obstacle can either be climbed directly up or it can be crossed along the top ledge as seen at the middle right. Both options present problems:
Once I made it up the obstacle, I looked back down. You can see why it would be easier to make it up if somebody dropped a rope down as a safety line:
There were rock cairns at the top, so I could see that the trail continued from this spot:
The trail continued to climb steeply through the forest:
Passing by the base of a rock slab in the middle of the forest:
Stone steps placed long ago by the trail builders confirm that this was once an official trail:
A nice view of North Dome with Tenaya Canyon cutting to the right:
Passing by an area where giant slabs of granite have broken off:
The view opens up to reveal a ridge high above which cannot be accessed from this route. Up even higher and out of view is the landmark known as the Diving Board:
Climbing more steep steps along the trail:
A portion of safety wall along the old trail is still in place:
Two more pictures of stone steps which help gain elevation quickly:
Getting close to the end of the hike now. From here, you need to go straight across and around this ledge:
After wrapping around the rock slab, the trail continues a short distance through some brush:
The end is just past these final few trees:
Finally reaching the old iron railing which marks Sierra Point:
Looking to the left, there is a spectacular view of Vernal and Nevada Falls together:
A closer look at the two famous and majestic waterfalls located along the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail:
People were visible looking over the railings at the top of Vernal Fall:
Nevada Fall's unique curved shape was also clearly visible from Sierra Point:
A picture of Steve with Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall in the background taken at Sierra Point:
Looking down on hikers below Sierra Point who appeared to be heading back from Vernal Fall to Happy Isles:
Looking straight out from Sierra Point, Illilouette Gorge is fully visible from top to bottom:
A close-up of Illilouette Fall as it pours over the edge and flows down Illilouette Creek:
A picture of Steve at Sierra Point with Illilouette Gorge in the background:
The final view from Sierra Point is to the right and shows the granite slopes leading down from Glacier Point into Yosemite Valley along with distant Yosemite Falls:
Two pictures zooming in on Yosemite Falls which shows the upper fall being blown around by the wind:
Holding the camera over the railing and taking a picture looking straight down from Sierra Point:
The top of the water tank was visible from the lookout:
A shady spot to rest up at Sierra Point. All hikers should exercise extreme caution if coming up here and not lean on the old railings for support:
One of the large rattlesnakes which almost got us on the way down:
Looking down from the distinct triangular rock back toward the trail to Happy Isles:
