Sentinel Dome Explained

Sentinel Dome
Elevation Ft:8127
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence Ft:322
Prominence Ref:[2]
Parent Peak:Illilouette Ridge[3]
Location:Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, U.S.
Range:Sierra Nevada
Coordinates:37.7231°N -119.5843°W
Topo:USGS Half Dome
Type:Granite dome
Easiest Route:Hike up northeast slope.

Sentinel Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, United States. It lies on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, 0.8miles southwest of Glacier Point and 1.4miles northeast of Profile Cliff.

Sentinel Dome is known for a Jeffrey Pine that grew from its peak (see photograph). The pine was photographed as early as 1867 by Carleton Watkins, and was the subject of a well-known photograph by Ansel Adams. The tree died during the drought of 1976,[4] but remained standing until August 2003.


The original Native American name of Sentinel Dome, in the Southern Sierra Miwok language, was "Sakkaduch". The Bunnell survey named it "South Dome", but the Whitney survey renamed it Sentinel Dome (from its likeness to a watch-tower).[5] The view from the top offers a 360 degree view of Yosemite Valley and surroundings. One can see Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Basket Dome, and much more. Sentinel Dome provides a 360 degree view of the night sky and it and nearby Glacier Point are popular places for stargazing.[6]

Hiking trail

The trail to the base of Sentinel Dome is a relatively easy 1.1miles hike. The trailhead, the same as the Taft Point trailhead, is located 6miles from Bridalveil Creek on the Glacier Point road. Once at the base, hikers traverse the less imposing northeast granite slope to the summit.[7] In winter, Sentinel Dome can be reached from Badger Pass by a 10-miles ski tour.

External links

Notes and References

  1. HR2891 . Sentinel Dome . 2012-03-30.
  2. 2613 . Sentinel Dome, California . 2012-03-30.
  3. 57367 . Sentinel Dome .
  4. Web site: Famous Jeffrey Pine Falls on Sentinel Dome-Yosemite National Park. . 2008-11-19 . 2011-05-07. National Park Service.
  5. S. 2009-01-19.
  6. Web site: Yosemite Park Stargazing. 27 May 2013.
  7. Web site: Day Hikes along the Glacier Point Road. National Park Service. 2008-05-25.