Sentinel Dome hangs over the Yosemite Valley opposite Yosemite Falls. It is pretty easy to get to in the summer although I guess it is often snowed in in the winter – we only got half way there on a February visit when the snow was falling and the Park Rangers closed the road even to 4×4s.
Take the road to Glacier Point and park in a lay-by. From here it’s a 20 minute walk to the dome, a far easier hike and climb than that for Half-Dome! The views from here are sensational all the way up, down and across the valley. You can hear the thunder of Yoseite Falls as a backdrop to the birds, bees and occasional car. Returning straight to the car will have given you something to remember but if you want a solitary experience continue to the left along the valley rim. A well marked trail takes you through forest where, if you’re lucky, you might see deer, ground squirrels, porcupine or if you’re really lucky a bear or bobcat. Regularly on this walk you’ll get more views of the valley, all inspiring. Eventually the trail breaks away from the rim and back to the road. The fittest can run off uphill to get the car whilst the rest wait in the sun to be collected.
While you’re on this road it is probably worth going the extra mile up to Glacier Point. This is a real tourist ‘honey-pot’ with cafe, shops, big car-park and so on. However the views over Vernal and Nevada Falls with Half-Dome in the background are not to be missed.

Ron S.