Sentinel Dome window.onload=new function(){wgUserName='';sTrailName='Sentinel Dome';bTrailFinished='';} [?]

Sentinel Dome
Photo: Frank Kovalchek
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Difficulty	Easy/Moderate
Distance	2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers)
Time Required	1-2 hours
Trail Use
Trail Type	There-And-Back
Elevation Gain	500 feet (150 meters)
High Point	8100 feet (2470 meters)
Low Point	7600 feet (2320 meters)
Best Months	April - November
Nearest City	Mariposa, CA

Overview

One of the easier hikes in Yosemite National Park that will take you to exceptional 360 degree views of the park. Additionally, one of the most famous trees in the world, a fallen Jeffrey pine, is on the hike.

Directions To Trailhead

To get to the trailhead you will need to head to Glacier Point along Glacier Point Road. To get there from the south entrance, turn left and travel 17 miles. From Yosemite Valley, take Highway 41 for 9 miles. Once you're on Glacier Point Road, follow it 13.5 miles to the trailhead.

There is a small parking lot at the trailhead, although you can also use the shoulder of Glacier Point Road if necessary.

Trail Description

The hike is pleasant enough but not extraordinary - the views at the top along with the famous dead Jeffrey pine are what really draw people to this trail. Near the beginning you will cross a bridge over a sweet looking creek. Along the way you will also pass live Jeffrey pines and Ponderosa pines.

At the summit, you can see for miles and miles in every direction. To the west you'll see Yosemite Valley and the Merced River. In the north direction is El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Toward the east is Half Dome and Clouds Rest.

Conditions And Hazards

Most of the summit of Sentinel Dome is fairly flat, but the edges do slope down and can be dangerous.

The crowd factor is medium; the largest crowds will be at Glacier Point.

Fees, Permits, And Restrictions

This route is only open when Glacier Point Road is open (the road closes during the winter). After the road has just opened, the Sentinel Dome hike can still have snow on it which makes following the trail a bit more difficult.

The entrance fee to Yosemite National Park is $20 for private vehicles for 7 days.

Amenities

There is a rudimentary bathroom at the trailhead. For food, drinks, and souvenirs, head to the Glacier Point visitor center (7.5 miles farther down the road).

Miscellaneous

The fallen Jeffrey pine on this hike is famous because of a 1940 Ansel Adams photograph of it. In 1977, during a severe drought, the tree died. This was not before attempts to hand carry buckets of water to it were made, unsuccessfully.

Photo Gallery

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Map

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Trailhead (37.7125, -119.5863)

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