Sentinel Dome

Sentinel Dome – 2.2mi / 3.5km

Sentinel Dome, with its 360 degree views, is one of the most accessible domes that dot the landscape above Yosemite Valley. The trail travels through an open forest with large trees, and alternates between dirt and solid slabs of granite.

The rounded, gray dome comes into view as you traverse a hillside to its base. Stay left at the trail junction to wrap around to the northeast side and a more gradually sloped aspect of the dome. Walk up the granite to its panoramic summit. From here, most of Yosemite Valley’s icons including Half Dome, Nevada Falls, El Capitan, and all of Yosemite Falls are visible.

Turn around here, or continue on to Taft Point for a wonderful loop (see Sentinel Dome/Taft Point Loop).

Trailhead: Look for the small, signed parking lot for Sentinel Dome and Taft Point along the Glacier Point Road.

Elevation Gain: 450ft / 135m – Elevation Loss: 450ft / 135m

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