Sentinel Dome
{{Short description|Granite dome in Yosemite National Park, California, US}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Sentinel Dome
| photo = Sentinel Dome, Yosemite NP.jpg
| photo_caption = Sentinel Dome
| elevation_ft = 8127
| elevation_ref = {{navd88}}{{cite ngs |id=HR2891 |name=Sentinel Dome |accessdate=2012-03-30}}
| prominence_ft = 322
| prominence_ref = {{cite peakbagger |id=2613 |name=Sentinel Dome, California |accessdate=2012-03-30}}
| parent_peak = Illilouette Ridge{{cite loj |id=57367 |name=Sentinel Dome |accessdate=}}
| location = Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, U.S.
| map = California#USA
| map_caption = Location in California
| map_size = 240
| label_position = below
| range = Sierra Nevada
| coordinates = {{coord|37.723094928|N|119.584304967|W|type:mountain_region:US-CA_scale:100000_source:NGS|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| range_coordinates =
| topo = USGS Half Dome
| type = Granite dome
| age = Cretaceous
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route = Hike up northeast slope.
}}
Sentinel Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, United States. It lies on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, {{convert|0.8|mi|km}} southwest of Glacier Point and {{convert|1.4|mi|km}} northeast of Profile Cliff.
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. Sentinel Dome provides a 360 degree view of the night sky and it and nearby Glacier Point are popular places for stargazing.{{cite web|title=Yosemite Park Stargazing|url=http://www.scenicwonders.com/yosemite-stargazing-2/|publisher=scenicwonders.com|accessdate=27 May 2013}}
History
The original Native American name of Sentinel Dome, in the Southern Sierra Miwok language, was pronounced "Sak'-ka-du-eh".{{cite book |last1=Powers |first1=Stephen |title=Tribes of California |date=1877 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520031722 |page=363 |url=https://www.ucpress.edu/books/tribes-of-california/paper |access-date=14 September 2024}} The Bunnell survey named it "South Dome", but the Whitney survey renamed it Sentinel Dome (from its likeness to a watch-tower).{{cite Farquhar|index = S|accessdate = 2009-01-19}}
Hiking trail
The trail to the base of Sentinel Dome is a relatively easy {{convert|1.1|mi|km|adj=on}} hike. The trailhead, the same as the Taft Point trailhead, is located {{convert|6|mi|km}} from Bridalveil Creek on the Glacier Point road. Once at the base, hikers traverse the less imposing northeast granite slope to the summit.{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/glacierhikes.htm|title=Day Hikes along the Glacier Point Road|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=2008-05-25}} In winter, Sentinel Dome can be reached from Badger Pass by a 10-miles ski tour.
{{clear left}}
{{Wide image|Sentinel Dome Panorama.jpg|1656px|Panoramic view from the top of Sentinel Dome. The Jeffrey Pine is visible at the center, collapsed.|left|width=60%}}
Jeffrey Pine
Sentinel Dome is known for a Jeffrey Pine that grew from its peak. The pine was photographed as early as 1867 by Carleton Watkins, and was the subject of a well-known photograph by Ansel Adams. The tree died during the drought of 1976,{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/yose/news/2003/tree0818.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119022647/http://www.nps.gov/yose/news/2003/tree0818.htm |archivedate=2008-11-19 |title=Famous Jeffrey Pine Falls on Sentinel Dome-Yosemite National Park|accessdate=2011-05-07|publisher=National Park Service}} but remained standing until August 2003.
File:Sentinel Dome - August 1968.jpg|The iconic Jeffrey Pine photographed August 7, 1968
File:Jeffrey Pine on Sentinel Dome dead Yosemite CA 2001-07-26 0025.jpg|The dead Jeffery Pine in 2001
File:Sentinel Dome fallen tree.jpg|The Jeffrey Pine shortly after it fell in 2003
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{commons-inline}}
- {{cite gnis|id=253838|name=Sentinel Dome}}
{{Yosemite National Park}}
Category:Mountains of Mariposa County, California
Category:Granite domes of Yosemite National Park