Overview

Sentinel Falls is impressive in its 1,920-foot drop, a stunning series of cascades into Yosemite Valley and running along Sentinel Rock. Too many visitors miss this sight as some competition exists, like the Yosemite Falls across the valley.

Location & Information

To reach Sentinel Falls in Yosemite, take Southside Drive to just east of Sentinel Beach picnic area and park at the Four Mile trailhead.

Yosemite Park is open all year, but to see Sentinel Falls, you should visit at the peak time of water flow from April through June, before the falls dries up for the season.

Contact information:
Public Information Office for Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
209-372-0200

Activities

• Hiking
  Although there is no trail at the base of the falls, there are a number of places you can hike to get great views (and good exercise besides). At signpost V18 on Southside Drive you can hike on the Four Mile Trail and look up at the falls. A longer hike is taking the Sentinel Dome Trail, a 2.2-mile hike from the trailhead along Glacier Park Road at signpost G8. Be careful, because you’ll be looking down at the falls from the edge of a vertical cliff.
• Ice Climbing
  Yes, Sentinel Falls offers ice climbing. The entire falls has possibly only been climbed once, but others have braved the upper and lower falls on separate occasions. You have to know what you’re doing to do ice climbing on Sentinel Falls.

Fun Facts

Perhaps you’re wondering whether to call Sentinel Falls a “fall” or a “falls.” Usually the term “falls” is used to describe waterfalls that have multiple drops and the term “fall” is used with a waterfall with a single cascade of water.