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
Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trail Map
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.
Cliffs near Taft Point
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
Tonight
A chance of rain showers between 11pm and 3am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 36. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Friday
A chance of snow showers before 11am, then snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms between 11am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely between noon and 4pm, then snow showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 41, with temperatures falling to around 39 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 31. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Wind chill values as low as 23. East northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values as low as 26. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 54. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 38. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Directions
Directions to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trailhead:
Additional Pictures
A fissure near Taft Point
Taft Point Views
Views from near the top of Sentinel Dome
Views from Sentinel Dome
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about