Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

Trips

Yosemite National Park: Sentinel Dome Loop

Hike 5.5 miles into Ansel Adams country to the top of Sentinel Dome and around to Taft Point for fisheye panoramas of Yosemite Valley.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

PERMIT INFO: Backcountry camping permits are required by the Park Service. See nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm for the latest details and prices.

MORE INFO: Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-020; nps.gov/yose/

Trail Facts

  • Distance: 7.1

Waypoints

SDL001

Location: 37.7125015258789, -119.586402893066

From parking lot, head NW to access Pohono Trail

SDL002

Location: 37.7127990722656, -119.586700439453

R @ Y to Sentinel Dome; Western Fence lizards dart in trailside thickets

SDL003

Location: 37.7243309020996, -119.582901000977

Top of Sentinel Dome to L. Half Dome’s iconic N face juts above white granite; twilight makes for superlative photos. Retrace steps, follow trail to Glacier Point

SDL005

Location: 37.7231101989746, -119.584396362305

Sentinel Dome (8,122 ft.); unmatched views of entire Yosemite Valley

SDL006

Location: 37.725700378418, -119.581298828125

Continue straight, crossing unmarked dirt road

SDL007

Location: 37.726619720459, -119.582397460938

Veer L toward Taft Point; see sloping trough of Glacier Point to NE

SDL008

Location: 37.7256011962891, -119.587699890137

Bird’s-eye view of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls tumbling into Valley

SDL009

Location: 37.7220802307129, -119.593101501465

Stay to L over Sentinel Creek; spur trail to R to Sentinel Falls is worth the .1-mi. walk if creek is flowing

SDL010

Location: 37.7119293212891, -119.595901489258

R @ T to Taft Point

SDL011

Location: 37.7130928039551, -119.604545593262

Taft Point, Profile Cliff, and The Fissures: cracks in the granite stretch to the valley floor. Countless photo ops of El Capitan’s famous facade; return to WPT 10

SDL004

Location: 37.7234497070312, -119.584297180176

Jeffrey Pine sits alone atop crest; allegedly world’s most photographed tree, made famous by Ansel Adams

SDL012

Location: 37.7118949890137, -119.595901489258

R @ T; return to car

How to Pack for Backcountry Skiing

Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack.

Keywords: