Sentinel Dome

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 163 (Sentinel Dome – Nevada Falls)

Jeff

Vernal Fall viewed from the top of Sentinel Dome

A closeup view of Vernal Fall taken from the top of Sentinel Dome

**NOTE** – The waterfall pictured above is inaccurately referred to as Vernal Fall when this was initially posted. It has now been corrected to reflect the appropriate reference to Nevada Falls.

Standing on the top of Sentinel Dome, was like having my head on a 360 degree swivel mechanism. All I could do was turn a bit and stare and then turn a bit more and stare until I absorbed as much of the 360 degree view as I could. While I had seen many of these Yosemite features from other areas of the park, it is much like looking at a spouse or good friend and noticing something that perhaps was not as memorable prior to that instant. These familiar features took on a different character because of the change of perspective when viewed from Sentinel Dome.

I hope this photograph conveys the power of Nevada Falls. The curtain of water had prominent cascades with the new waves of water trying earnestly to overtake those that went before. This, my friends, is a first-hand example of the power of the natural world.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 163 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 162 (Sentinel Dome – El Capitan)

Jeff

El Capitan is well within view from the top of Sentinel Dome

El Capitan is well within view from the top of Sentinel Dome

Moving up onto the very top of Sentinel Dome and looking west, El Capitan stood out among all of the other mountains. This colossus of the valley asserts itself into the minds of Yosemite visitors as well as the camera rolls of numerous smart phones.

Also shown is the topography of the distant hills as well as the dome. Sentinel Dome’s colors and textures where on display as it drops off into the wooded hillside below.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 162 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 161 (Sentinel Dome – A View of Yosemite Falls)

Jeff

Yosemite Falls viewed from the top of Sentinel Dome

Yosemite Falls viewed from the top of Sentinel Dome

It felt like I was standing on top of the world. Obviously I knew intellectually there were many places that were higher, but when walking across the top of Sentinel Dome, which was quite wide, it seemed as though I could see most of Yosemite’s major sights.

The picture above is a distant view of Yosemite Falls. Because of the height of the dome and the distance, a larger portion of Yosemite Falls is visible and it was splendid. The torrents of water spread out as they fell into the basin and then traveled down the crevice into the rest of the valley.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 161 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 160 (Sentinel Dome Trail – How Far Away?)

Jeff

Below is the photo from yesterday’s post. This was the top of Sentinel Dome as seen from a distance.

A view of the top of the dome from the trail

A view of the top of the dome from the trail

Since I had my Canon SX50 HS bridge camera which has quite a reach, I decided to take a picture of a person standing on top of Sentinel Dome from the place in the trail where the above photograph was captured. I could see people up there, but I could only recognize them as abstract shapes.

This is a picture taken with the Canon SX50 HS super zoom camera from basically the same place as the picture above.

A hiker standing on top of Sentinel Dome stops to take a picture

A hiker standing on top of Sentinel Dome stops to take a picture

I was gratified when reviewing this picture that it captured as much of the detail as I had hoped. We were very far away and only the zoom lens made this a possibility. Thank goodness for image stabilized cameras!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 160 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 159 (Sentinel Dome Trail – A View of the Goal)

Jeff

A view of the top of the dome from the trail

A view of the top of the dome from the trail

As we worked our way up the trail, we arrived at a point where the tree line thinned and because of the altitude the trees that remained were not quite as tall in many places. As we rounded part of the trail, the top of Sentinel Dome came into view. While Yosemite has many domes, Sentinel Dome had a very round shape while others, like Lembert Dome, were only round-ish.

That rounded mound of Sentinel Dome looks relatively close in this photo, but was a fair distance off and of course hikers need to stay on the designated trail which wasn’t a straight line forward, but circuitous. Tomorrow’s post will proffer some indication of just how far away we were when I took this photograph.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 159 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 11:26:24 AM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/80 sec @ f/18
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Nikon D3300

 

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 100 (Sentinel Dome 3/3: What Views!)

Jeff

This is post 3 of 3 about my hike to the top of Sentinel Dome. If you missed 1/3 (YOY) – Day 98 or 2/3 (YOY) – Day 99, click the links to “catch up!”

 

One of the spectacular views from the top of Sentinel Dome

I was so intent on making it to the top of Sentinel Dome, that I don’t think I turned around during the climb to take in the views at the various heights. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I stopped at all until I arrived near the very top of the hill.

Once there, I turned around and the picture above was part of what I saw. What makes Sentinel Dome so striking is that it has views of the major players in “the Valley.” There is a three-hundred-and-sixty degree range of visibility so turning around will reveal El Capitan, Yosemite Falls as well as Half Dome and the supporting cast of other falls, mountains, etc.

This was an essential hike for me and I was glad to have taken advantage of it. Of course there are views of these sights from other aspects of the park, but to have them laid out in front all at once was a rare treat!

I would suggest a telephoto and wide angle lens, if possible. I had my bridge camera which tries to cover both, but the lack of a true wide angle did not permit me to capture some of the scenes I would have liked to share.

Nevertheless, I will post more Sentinel Dome photographs and views of the other sights in a later post. This is enough of the dome for now.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 100 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 12:01:03 PM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
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Nikon D3300

 

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 99 (Sentinel Dome 2/3)

Jeff

Looking up at the climb to the domeFirst full view of Sentinel Dome as we ascended the trail

As we approached Sentinel Dome, we could get a hint of what we might see as Half Dome was visible through the trees. At the end of the trail, we arrived at the base of the dome and after the hike up the trail, it did look formidable.

I must say, the climb was easier than I thought it would be. It was a bit steep, but the path was clear and the stone provided a surface that was easy to grip. Seeing other people on the dome and at the top let me know that I could do it as well. (To be continued…)

To See Yesterday’s post about Sentinel Dome, click HERE

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 99 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 9, 2016
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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 98 (Sentinel Dome 1/3)

Jeff

Sentinel Dome view ascending the trailFirst full view of Sentinel Dome as we ascended the trail

As we hiked the trail to Sentinel Dome, we had great expectations. The trail was fairly busy so we knew it had a reputation of being worthy. Another clue that the hike to the dome was popular was the lack of room in the nearby parking areas. Luckily, parking along the road, but not on the road, was permitted. We secured the car and began our trek along the Sentinel Dome trail.

There was some rock scrambling, but the trail is certainly moderate with various ups and downs. The elevation gain up to the dome was not too bad. As we rounded one part of the trail, the picture above was the first full view we had of the dome. This mountain top was well rounded like one would expect it to be. (To be continued…)

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 98 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0344.NEF
Capture time: 11:26:24 AM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/80 sec @ f/18
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Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 39 (View from Sentinel Dome)

Jeff

View of Half Dome from atop Sentinel DomeHalf Dome viewed from the top of Sentinel Dome

After hiking the trail to Sentinel Dome (elevation 8,122 feet), the dome itself may look a bit steep, but if you are in good physical condition for hiking, I encourage you to try it. The surface of the rock is not slick and good hiking shoes will grab onto the surface ridges. There is an “established path” that the hikers on the left of the picture are following.

Once on top of the dome, the valley opens up with El Capitan, the Merced River and meadows to the northwest and Half Dome and the falls to the northeast. It is truly impressive.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 39 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0358.NEF
Capture time: 12:01:03 AM/PM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/80 sec @ f/18
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300

CATS: Nature, Hiking, YOY, Photography

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 20 (Sentinel Dome Trail)

Jeff

Sentinel Dome Trail

Sentinel Dome Trail was varied and steep in places.

The hike to Sentinel Dome was steep in a number of places, but there were numerous outcroppings with views and a good number of wildflowers in bloom. We stopped periodically to “smell the roses;” so-to-speak!

The payoff at the end (as you will see in subsequent posts) made it all worthwhile. If you visit Yosemite and you are trying to decide whether or not to take the Sentinel Dome Trail to the top of the dome, I would encourage you to do so if you are in good physical condition. A number of people rested at the base of the dome while others in their group hiked the dome itself. Even from that vantage point, there were beautiful views.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 20 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 9, 2016
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