Hiking Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park

Sentinel Dome in Yosemite National Park is a must do for any hiker looking to explore one of the most incredible landscapes in California. From breathtaking views of Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest, to an opportunity to take on a challenging yet rewarding trail, this hike has something for everyone. In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know before setting out on your Sentinel Dome adventure.

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Difficulty – Easy
Distance –2.2 miles (3.5 km)
Height – 8,120 feet (2967.23 m)
Elevation gain – 430 ft (131 m)
Duration – 2-3 hours round trip
Hike Class: Class 2
Trailhead Location – Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trailhead
Dogs – Not allowed

 

Need To Know Information

• A permit is required to enter Yosemite at many parts of the year: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htmhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=8080
• Additional permits are not required to hike this trail unless hikers are spending the night in backcountry camping zones..
• Glacier Point Road is closed during winter, approximately late May through October or November. Be sure to check the road status.
• Glacier Point Road is a groomed cross-country skiing trail during winter when the Badger Pass Ski Areas is open. This PDF has information on the winter trails around Glacier Point.

Trail Map

Download GPX Here

 

Routes

Because Sentinel Dome shares the same trailhead as Taft Point, it is commonly hiked together with both as they are both relatively short hikes with incredible views, and are vastly different. We will cover the distance for combining both below as well.

 

Hiking Sentinel Dome

Difficulty – Easy
Distance –2.2 miles (3.5 km)
Elevation gain – 430 ft (131 m)
Duration – 2-3 hours round trip

Hikers begin at the trail by the bathrooms at the Sentinel Dome & Taft Point trailhead.

The trail is easy to follow, and well marked. The trail takes you through some beautiful forest. As hikers approach the final ascent of the dome, a couple other trails split off to the right. If hikers simply stay left, they will make their way on the most direct trail to the summit.

 

Hiking Sentinel Dome & Taft Point

Difficulty – Intermediate
Distance –4.9 miles (7.9 km)
Elevation Gain – 1,000 ft (300 m)
Duration – 3-4 hours round trip

Anyone looking to take these two short hikes and turn them into one intermediate hike should do both Taft Point and Sentinel Dome. Leaving from the trailhead, hikers can choose to go to either the Dome, or Taft Point first. Both are very unique and stunning in different ways, but highly recommended. This loop can be lengthened via the Pohono Trail to Roosevelt Point, but the quickest way to do the loop is to just walk back to the trailhead and continue on to either Sentinel Dome or Taft Point in an out-and-back method for each hike.

 

Taft Point

Distance – 2.2 miles (3.5 km) round-trip; 2 hours,
Elevation Gain  –200 ft (60 m) elevation gain

Taft Point has incredible views of Yosemite Valley, particularly El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Once hikers get near Taft Point, they find dramatic cliffs, narrow fissures (large cracks/fractures in the rock), and these fishers and cliffs drop over 1,500 feet in several cases.

The views are incredible, and the rock formations are very unique.

 

Hiking in Winter

Refer to trail closures and winter hiking info here.

 

Camping Information

Nearby lodging and campground information can be found here.

And getting backcountry/wilderness camping permit info can be found here.

 

Weather

Here is a detailed weather forecast for the area:

Yosemite Valley, CA

Today
Sunny. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.

Tonight
Clear, with a low around 48. East northeast wind 0 to 10 mph.

Thursday
Sunny. High near 66, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 46. East wind 0 to 10 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 61. South southwest wind 0 to 15 mph.

Friday Night
A slight chance of rain after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday
A slight chance of rain before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

 

Directions

Directions to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trailhead:

 

Additional Pictures