Sentinel Dome Trail. Yosemite National Park ~ Adventures in Southern California

Sentinel Dome Trail, Yosemite National Park

The Sentinel Dome Trail is one of the best short hikes off Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park. The hike starts at the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trailhead, which has a parking area right off Glacier Point Road. The trail is about 2 miles round trip and is usually rated moderate, with around 400 feet of elevation gain. Just keep in mind that Glacier Point Road is closed during the winter, usually from November through late May or early June, so this is mainly a late spring through fall hike.

The trail is pretty easy to follow, but it is a little rocky in spots, and there are a few sections where the trail looks knocked out or worn down. Most of the hike isn't too difficult, but the final climb up the dome is a moderate push on open granite. It's not a particularly long or strenuous hike, but you'll definitely feel the elevation more than you would down in Yosemite Valley. The trail reaches an elevation of over 8,100 feet, so take your time if you're not used to hiking at higher elevations.

The payoff at the top is huge. From Sentinel Dome, you get incredible 360-degree views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. It's one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the entire park, and you can see just about the whole valley from the summit. Because you're at a much higher elevation, temperatures here are often considerably cooler than down in Yosemite Valley on warm summer days. That makes this a great hike when the lower elevations are heating up.

Bring sunscreen because this hike is very exposed to the sun, especially during the final climb up the granite dome. There isn't much shade along portions of the trail, so bring plenty of water as well. You'll also want to keep a close eye on the weather, particularly during the summer when fast-moving rainstorms and thunderstorms can develop quickly in the mountains. The last place you want to be is standing on an exposed granite dome with lightning in the area. If storms are developing, get off the dome and head for safer terrain. I would recommend starting early in the day, checking the weather forecast, and allowing about 1–2 hours to complete the hike, depending on how much time you want to spend enjoying the views at the top. The trail is not dog friendly.

Taft Point
If you want to extend your hike, you can hike back to the trailhead and head west on the trail to Taft Point. From the the trailhead the hike to Taft Point is about 2.5 miles roundtrip. The trail heads slightly down to the rim in this direction with only 200 feet of elevation change. This trail is a bit easier with a more gradual trail. The views are also amazing.