Sentinel Falls

This waterfall is best seen during the peak snowmelt, which can be anywhere from late March through to early June. It really depends on the snowpack and how quickly the weather warms up. I think our best photos of the falls came from either late May or early June in average snowpack years. We've also been here too early when the falls was still frozen (or even trickling as the thaw wasn't extensive yet) as well as too late (by mid- to late Summer) when not only this waterfall goes dry but so does most of the other waterfalls in the valley.

• Trailhead for the Four Mile Trail at signpost V18 along the Southside Drive. Pretty open and upwards looking view of the falls.
• Across Leidig Meadow on the Northside Drive west of Yosemite Lodge. There doesn't seem to be any formal car parks near this meadow, which might explain why you don't hear about it. However, it's possible to get the best views of the falls from here since you should be looking well above the tree-line.
• On the trail to Upper Yosemite Falls, which begins near signpost V5 just by Camp 4 on the Northside Drive. You start getting views across the valley towards both Sentinel Rock and Sentinel Falls in just about a mile into the hike (just before reaching Columbia Rock or Columbia Point).
• At the brink of the falls along the Pohono Trail. There's a detour when you're hiking the connecting trail between Sentinel Dome and Taft Point alongside Sentinel Creek. It goes right to the brink of a vertical cliff (be real careful here because it's a long way down!) where you can lay on your belly and peer over the edge down at the upper tiers of Sentinel Falls. The trailhead for this hike (at least for the minimum amount of hiking) is at signpost G8 along Glacier Point Road.

See below for more photos of the multi-tiered waterfall.

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View across the Valley from the Yosemite Falls Trail (the one going to its top starting from Camp 4, also known as the Sunnyside Campground).


Looking up at both Sentinel Rock and its neighboring falls from the Four-Mile Trailhead (signpost V18 on the Southside Drive)


Scary view looking down at the top of the multi-tiered waterfall from a spur off the Pohono Trail between Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Be VERY careful here!!!

Sentinel Falls from the Four-Mile Trailhead in June 2011

Recent photo of Sentinel Rock and Sentinel Falls from the Four-Mile Trailhead in June 2011

The falls with Sentinel Rock from around Leidig Meadow

Almost direct view of the falls from near Leidig Meadow

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Top down sweep of both Sentinel Rock and Sentinel Falls from Four Mile Trailhead


Bottom up sweep from the relatively unknown Leidig Meadow

View World of Waterfalls in a larger map

TRIP REPORTS

• June 3, 2011

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Yosemite Falls
• Ribbon Falls
• Horsetail Falls
• Bridalveil Fall
• Silver Strand Falls
• Widow's Tears
• Cascade Falls
• Wildcat Falls

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