Sentinel Dome

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Sentinel Dome
Sentinel Dome (circa 1910)
Elevation	8,122 ft (2,476 m)
Location	California, USA
Range	Sierra Nevada
Coordinates	37°43′23″N, 119°35′00″W
Topo map	USGS Half Dome
Type	Granite dome
Age of rock	Cretaceous
Easiest route	hike

Sentinel Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, United States. It lies on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, 0.8 mile (1.3 km) southwest of Glacier Point and 1.4 miles (2.2 km) northeast of Profile Cliff.

The original Native American name of Sentinel Dome was "Sakkaduch". The Bunnell survey named it "South Dome", but the Whitney survey renamed it Sentinel Dome (from its likeness to a watch-tower). Today, it is considered one of the best locations in the western United States for astronomical viewing of the night sky ^{[citation needed]}. 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.

The Jeffrey Pine atop Sentinel Dome, while it was still alive

Sentinel Dome is best known for a Jeffrey Pine that grew from its peak (see photograph, left). The pine was photographed as early as 1867 by Carleton Watkins. The tree died during the drought in 1976. The dead tree remained standing until August, 2003.

[edit] Hiking Trail

The hike is a relatively easy 2.2 mile roundtrip hike leading to the base of Sentinel Dome. The trailhead, the same as the Taft Point trailhead, is located 6 miles from Bridalveil Creek on the Glacier Point road. Once at the base, hikers will traverse the granite slope, which is quite mellow, until they make it to the top.