Sentinel Dome

The view from atop Sentinel Dome is world class, a 360 degree panorama that's a who's who of Yosemite landmarks: Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Cloud's Rest, Half Dome, and Nevada Fall are all on display here. There are lots of foreground subjects up here, and something for every lens in your bag.

Of all the reasonably accessible locations in Yosemite, Sentinel Dome is probably my favorite for sunrise because its elevation above the surrounding terrain allows it to receive direct sunrise light (unlike Yosemite Valley, which is in deep shadow at sunrise). That said, photographing here at sunrise isn't easy, when you consider that to be on location at least thirty minutes before sunrise, you're making the 1.2 mile hike in complete darkness. And unless you sleep in your car near the trail head (a no-no), you'll probably have at least a one hour drive from your lodging. Since Sentinel Dome is an equally nice sunset location, I suggest you start with a few Sentinel sunsets to become familiar with the location before attempting a sunrise.

Sentinel Dome is on Glacier Point Road. Like Highway 120 through Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass, Glacier Point Road isn't plowed in winter; you can count on it being closed from November through May, give or take a couple of weeks (though it often opens a week or two ahead of Highway 120).

How to get there

Leaving Yosemite Valley on Highway 41 (Fresno or Wawona Road), about 7 miles after exiting the tunnel, take the left onto Glacier Point Road. The marked parking area for Sentinel Dome is on the left, about 14 miles along Glacier Point Road. Most of the 1.2 mile hike is pretty level on a well defined trail, but the last few hundred yards is an unguided scramble up steep, exposed granite. Don't be alarmed by this description--you'll be winded but it's not rock climbing and you'll find an entire range of visitors here, from young children to senior citizens--undaunted and well rewarded.