Wes admits that what we are seeing is El Capitan

Sentinel Dome Hike

   

Photos          Related Links          More Travel Reports

   

The County Hike Group was once again on the move. Julie Hornback had a funeral to attend, but the rest of us - Wes Thiessen, Carolyn Amicone, and Dick Estel, set off on the morning of October 13, 2014, to hike to the top of Sentinel Dome in Yosemite National Park.

This destination is an 8,000 foot dome near Glacier Point. Many years ago you could drive to the base of the dome, and it was just a short walk to the top. That road is now closed to vehicles, and the usual route is a 1.1 mile hike that starts from a trailhead a few miles from Glacier Point. You can also hike 1.4 miles from Glacier Point or walk up the old road, but we took the "normal" trail route.

To get to the trailhead we drove up Highway 41 to Oakhurst, 45 miles from Fresno, where we stopped and got sandwiches from the deli at Raley's Supermarket. It's another 15 miles from there to the park entrance just past Fish Camp, then about 20 miles to the junction with the Glacier Point Road at Chinquapin.

This location was once a small settlement. Later there was a ski lodge, then a ranger station, and a gas station till the 1990s, but the only thing there now is a restroom. After a quick stop, we turned on to the Glacier Point Road, going past Badger Pass ski area and Bridalveil Creek Campground, heading for the trailhead 14 miles from Chinquapin.

Throughout most of our trip we had enjoyable scenery, especially after entering Yosemite National Park. But as Wes says, as soon as you get in the car you're on vacation, so enjoy the journey. The foothills offer their own beauty, even though they are normally dry and brown at this time of year. With a couple of years of below average rainfall, they look even more parched than usual, and another dry year would leave this area virtually barren of grass.

The Glacier Point road passes through forests of ponderosa and sugar pine, white and red fir, lodgepole, and many high altitude shrubs. Along the way there are glimpses of the high rocky peaks of the Sierra crest east of our location.

We found the trailhead crowded but managed to get the next to last parking space, and soon were on the trail. There are two destinations from this location, Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, both relatively easy hikes of just over a mile one way. I had been to Taft Pont many years ago, but had never hiked the Sentinel Dome trail.

There are views of the dome, about a thousand feet higher than the start of the trail, and apparently too steep for climbing, so a bit daunting for Carolyn, who was making her first visit of any kind. Wes had hiked the trail a few times, and I knew that we would work our way around to the east side and find easier going. Similar views presented themselves as we hiked, and even fairly close on the south side, the dome still looked very challenging.

Although we were prepared for cool weather, much of the trail is in the sun, and we were very comfortable with jeans and short sleeve shirts, despite the elevation. The trail goes up fairly gradually, and there are no really difficult spots till you get to the dome itself. From here, there is no official marked trail, but Wes guided us up in a zig zag technique that made the climb reasonably comfortable.

Even before we reached the rock we started seeing the upper part of Half Dome, as well as other Yosemite landmarks, including Cloud's Rest, Mt. Clark, and Mt. Starr-King. This led to a friendly competition between Dick and Wes over what we were seeing. Before we started our way around the dome, to the northwest we could see the rounded top and a small part of the sheer cliff of El Capitan, one of the more notable features on the north side of Yosemite Valley. Wes was fairly certain that we were actually looking at cliffs farther down the Merced Canyon, so Dick tried to lure him into a lunch bet, but Wes was wise enough, and uncertain enough to avoid this trap. Once we got around to the northeastern side of the rock, Wes admitted that the feature we were looking at was definitely El Capitan.

As we made our way up the dome, the views kept getting better and better, ultimately giving us a 360 degree look at Yosemite's high country. We could also see the place where Yosemite Falls should be - the cliff is stained and the path of both the upper and lower falls are clearly visible. But there is no water; the stream is completely dry. Nevada Fall on the Merced River was just a trickle, although there was enough water to maintain a sluggish flow of water through the river bed in the valley.

We enjoyed the view and took pictures, spending about 20 minutes on top. Near the very top of the dome is a gnarled Jeffrey pine, now dead, that was living until about 1977. A website that seems to be mostly accurate says: "On top of Sentinel Dome is one of the world's most famous dead trees, the fallen Jeffrey Pine. The tree appeared in the 1940 Ansel Adams photo and became a star. The tree died in 1977 and finally fell over in 2003." This much photographed landmark was famous for its low, twisted stature, despite obviously being probably one or two hundred years old.

We made it down the rock and back to the car without mishap, recording a total hiking time of about two hours. Wes had brought along an extra set of hiking poles, and Carolyn tried these for the first time, deciding that they helped enough that it would be a good investment to get her own.

Next we drove the short distance to Glacier Point, where we had a similar view of the high peaks, but from a slightly lower elevation, about 7,000 feet. You can also walk out to the edge of the cliff and look down into Yosemite Valley, with some views almost straight down. We took our ice chests out toward the point, found a place where we could sit and eat lunch while gazing at Half Dome and other peaks.

We have all been to Glacier Point, dozens of times in my case, but none of us ever tire of this magnificent view. I've taken so many photos there that it is difficult to find a new angle, but this was the first time I had been there with my current camera, which has a panorama setting, so I was able to get some views that were new for me.

Everywhere we went, but especially on the trail, Wes had a greeting for everyone we met, always asking where they were from. Most of the people we talked to were from outside the U.S., including Scotland, England, Austria and Israel.

After we had enjoyed the area for a while after lunch, we stared our return journey, arriving back in Fresno about 5:30, nine hours after we started.

--Dick Estel, October 2014

 

Photos (Click to enlarge; pictures open in new window) 

     

Wes demonstrates how to adjust the hiking poles Our destination: Sentinel Dome The top of El Capitan - or is it?
   
Getting closer to the base Jet trails decorate the deep blue sky Mt. Clark from near the base of Sentinel Dome
   
More peaks in the Clark Range First view of Half Dome Wes admits that what we
are seeing is El Capitan
   
North Dome and Basket Dome Heading up the rock Where Yosemite Falls should be
(statistical information)
   
USGS marker placed in 1905 -
8,117 feet above sea level
The iconic Jeffrey Pine, dead since 1977 That tiny trickle in the middle is the
usually majestic Nevada Falls
    
View into the valley View to the west, El Capitan
on the right; foothills in distance
High Sierra - highest point
right center is Mt. Clark
   
Cathedral Rocks and Merced
River Canyon beyond
Dick on top of the dome Red firs on the trail
  
Looking up Tenaya Canyon from Glacier
Point - famous domes to the left and right
Dick, Carolyn and Wes at Glacier Point A last look at Half Dome from the parking lot
   
Panoramic view of Basket Dome, North Dome and Half Dome, with Yosemite high country beyond
  
Related Links
  
Sentinel Dome Fish Camp Yosemite National Park
Glacier Point Dick's Waterfall Gallery Dick's Taft Point Hike
Taft Point Ansel Adams Jeffrey Pine photo Dick at Taft Point, 1981
Tallest Waterfalls A better, wetter view of
Yosemite Falls from Glacier Point
Wes on Half Dome, 1991;
Sentinel Dome in distance
   Dick's Half Dome Hikes:
1979     1980     1986
Yosemite Falls Statistical Info
  
Dick, Carolyn and Wes at Glacier Point

Cathedral Rocks and Merced River Canyon beyond

 
Travel Reports
   
Before 2002     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012

2013     2014     2015     2016     2017     2018    2019     2020     2021     2022     2023     2024     Other

   
Before 2002
Early Trips Later Trips
Camping Trips Backpacking Trips
Early Stargazer Rock Camps 1961 Monterey Jazz Festival
Bluegrass Odyssey
   
Multi-Year Compilations
Fresno Area Canal Walks Clovis Trail Walks
   
2002
Journey of 2002 (Ohio & Back) Logandale & Utah Parks 2002
   
2003
Arizona & Bluegrass on the River 2003 Grand Canyon & Logandale Bluegrass 2003
Parkfield & Huck Finn 2003 Early Frog Camps (2003-2005)
   
2004
Paso Robles & Parkfield 2004 Road Trip 2004 (Ohio & Back)
Bullhead City Bluegrass, Mesa, Superstition Bluegrass 2004 Bluegrass in the Foothills 2004
   
2005
Arizona-Southern California 2005 Huck Finn Bluegrass 2005
Morro Bay 2005 Stargazer Rock Camp 2005
Parkfield Bluegrass 2005    
   
2006
Huck Finn Bluegrass 2006 Las Vegas Commodore Expo 2006
Rock Creek Non-Camp Stargazer Rock Camp 2006
Parkfield Bluegrass 2006 Oregon 2006
Bluegrass in the Foothills 2006    
   
2007
Bullhead City, Bakersfield, Joshua Tree 2007 Frog Camp 2007
Eastern Sierra Journey 2007 Las Vegas Commodore Expo 2007
Stargazer Rock Camp 2007 Roundup #1
(Mother Lode; Kings Canyon, Yosemite)
Bluegrass in the Foothills 2007    
   
2008
Nevada-Arizona Hockey & Bluegrass 2008 Parkfield Bluegrass 2008
Frog Camp 2008 Las Vegas Commodore Expo 2008
Stargazer Rock Camp 2008 Bluegrass in the Foothills 2008
Hobbs Grove Festival 2008     
   
2009
Roundup 2009
Las Vegas, Mariposa, Table Mountain, Orange County
Frog Camp 2009 Southern Journey 2009
Parkfield Bluegrass 2009 Stargazer Rock Camp 2009
Bluegrass Tour 2009
Brown Barn, Plymouth, Hobbs Grove
Hensley Lake Camp
   
2010
Mojave National Preserve & Havasu Bluegrass Roundup 2010
Hensley Reservoir, Mojave Preserve 2 & 3
Parkfield Bluegrass 2010 Lake Almanor & Mt. Lassen 2010
Las Vegas Expo Summergrass
   Brown Barn, Watsonville & Hobbs Grove
   
2011
Roundup 2011
Mariposa, Hensley, Table Mountain
Frog Camp 2011
Parkfield Bluegrass 2011 Frank, Pat, Dick & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Northern Coast Journey 2011 Las Vegas Commodore Expo 2011
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Chilkoot & Stargazer Rock Camp
Kings River & Brown Barn Bluegrass Festivals Hensley Camp 2011
    
2012 
Parkfield Bluegrass 2012 Four Squaw Leap Hikes
Northern Coast Journey 2012 Las Vegas Commodore Expo 2012
Stargazer Rock Camp 2012 Bluegrass in the Foothills 2012
A 3-Event Weekend
Farmer's Market, Kings River Bluegrass, Antique Fair
2012 Las Vegas CAN AM Hockey Challenge
Fall Hikes
Finegold Trail; Bower Cave
Into Los Gatos Canyon
  
2013
Silver Stick Tournament - Canada Sierra Foothills - Winter 2013
Finegold Trailhead, Hensley Lake, San Joaquin Gorge
Death Valley - Alabama Hills - Whitney Portal Sierra Foothills - Spring 2013
San Joaquin Gorge Hike, Big Creek Drive
Parkfield Bluegrass 2013 Shaver Crossing Station & Big Creek
Lake Almanor & Caribou Crossroads Mono Hot Springs
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival A Wedding in Duluth
Sequoia Park Hiking Roundup 2013
Kings River Bluegrass, Buena Vista Peak Hike, Hensley Lake Camp, North Fork Mono Museum, White Rock Road, Hockey in Denver
     
2014
2014 Winter Hikes
Millerton South Bay Trail, Clovis Trail, Hite's Cove Trail
San Joaquin Gorge Campout
Colorado Springs Hockey Tournament Lake Havasu Bluegrass
2014 Spring Hikes
Stockton Creek Preserve, San Joaquin River Trail, San Joaquin Gorge, Millerton Lake, Sycamore Creek, Buena Vista Peak Again
NORCAL Hockey Playoffs and Santa Cruz Visit
Greeley Hill Road Trip Parkfield Bluegrass 2014
Journey of 2014 Journey of 2014 Photos
Nelder Grove Hikes 2014 Sentinel Dome Hike
2014 Fall & Winter Hikes
San Joaquin River Trail South & North, Red Rock Canyon Nevada, San Joaquin South Again
California Flat Campout
Snow Day with the  Upshaw's   
 
2015
Rambler Hikes 2015 Part 1 Rambler Hikes 2015 Part 2
Adventures of 2015 - February to May
(Goofy Smith Flat, Coast Redwoods & Big Sur, Pine Flat, Finegold Trail, Edison Point Trail, Nelder Grove)
Adventures of 2015 - June to December
(Lewis Creek Trail, Kaiser Pass, Kaiser Pass Again, Taft Point, Kings River Bluegrass, Shaver Logging Road, San Joaquin River Trail, Lewis S Eaton Trail, San Joaquin River Gorge, Thanksgiving at the Gorge)
Lake Tahoe & Virginia City Parkfield Bluegrass 2015
Colorado Springs Cousin Convention 2015 Las Vegas Commodore Expo 2015
Stargazer Rock Camp 2015 Grand Canyon & Arches National Parks
  
2016
Adventures of 2016 Part 1 Rambler Hikes 2016 Page 1
Adventures of 2016 Part 2 Rambler Hikes 2016 Page 2
Adventures of 2016 Part 3 Rambler Hikes 2016 Page 3
Adventures of 2016 Part 4 A Pennsylvania Adventure
Adventures of 2016 Part 5 Parkfield Bluegrass 2016
Adventures of 2016 Part 6 Las Vegas Commodore Expo 2016
Adventures of 2016 Part 7 Stargazer Rock Camp 2016
     
2017
Adventures of 2017 Part 1 Rambler Hikes 2017 Page 1
Adventures of 2017 Part 2 Rambler Hikes 2017 Page 2
Adventures of 2017 Part 3 Rambler Hikes 2017 Page 3
Adventures of 2017 Part 4 Hiking and Hockey
Adventures of 2017 Part 5 Lake Almanor
Adventures of 2017 Part 6 Northern California Redwood Hike
Parkfield Bluegrass 2017 Stargazer Rock Camp 2017
Travel Blog 2017 (an experiment) Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
  
2018
Adventures of 2018 Part 1 Rambler Hikes 2018 Page 1
Adventures of 2018 Part 2 Rambler Hikes 2018 Page 2
Adventures of 2018 Part 3 Rambler Hikes 2018 Page 3
Adventures of 2018 Part 4 Parkfield Bluegrass 2018
Adventures of 2018 Part 5 Northern California Journey 2018
Adventures of 2018 Part 6
  
2019
Adventures of 2019 Part 1 Rambler Hikes 2019 Page 1
Adventures of 2019 Part 2 Rambler Hikes 2019 Page 2
Utah National Parks Rambler Hikes 2019 Page 3
Adventures of 2019 Part 3 Parkfield Bluegrass 2019
Adventures of 2019 Part 4 Adventures of 2019 Part 5
   
2020
Adventures of 2020 Part 1 Adventures of 2020 Part 5
Adventures of 2020 Part 2 Adventures of 2020 Part 6
Adventures of 2020 Part 3 Adventures of 2020 Part 7
Adventures of 2020 Part 4 Rambler Hikes 2020 Page 1
  
2021
Adventures of 2021 Part 1 Adventures of 2021 Part 5
Adventures of 2021 Part 2
Adventures of 2021 Part 3 Rambler Hikes 2021 Page 1
Adventures of 2021 Part 4 Rambler Hikes 2021 Page 2
 
2022
Adventures of 2022 Part 1 Rambler Hikes 2022 Page 1
Adventures of 2022 Part 2 Rambler Hikes 2022 Page 2
Adventures of 2022 Part 3 Rambler Hikes 2022 Page 3
Adventures of 2022 Part 4 Utah Parks
  
2023
Adventures of 2023 Page 1 Rambler Hikes 2023 Page 1
Adventures of 2023 Page 2 Rambler Hikes 2023 Page 2
Dinosaur National Monument Rambler Hikes 2023 Page 3
Adventures of 2023 Page 3 Rambler Hikes 2023 Page 4
  
2024
Adventures of 2024 Page 1 Rambler Hikes 2024 Page 1
Adventures of 2024 Page 2 Rambler Hikes 2024 Page 2
Mendocino Coast Rambler Hikes 2024 Page 3
  
Other
Fresno Area Canal Walks Clovis Trail Walks
Butch's Blog Walker Family Trips
Parkfield Earthquake Kim & Morgan Brown Trips & Photos
Travel Report Menu Estel Home Page
Photo Albums Slide Shows
Laurie Lewis' High Sierra Hikes Email
     
 

Updated November 28, 2020