14.7 miles of hiking • 4500' elevation gain •
When we originally planned what is turning into an annual Yosemite trip, we were hoping to spend the weekend skiing out of Badger Pass. The weather this year had other ideas, so we hiked up to a nearly snowless Sentinal Dome.
We started at Yosemite Valley Lodge, traversing the meadow on one of the boardwalks, then passing the Valley Chapel on the way to the Four Mile Trail TH. Then it was uphill for approximately 4.6miles to Glacier Point. The forecast was for rain / snow showers, but all we saw were a few occasional flakes along the way. We stopped at the Geology Hut for some shelter while eating lunch, then continued to Sentinal Dome. The first snow patches were around 7600ft!
With Glacier Point Rd being closed, few tourists venture past Glacier Point, so we were able to explore the top of Sentinal Dome and enjoy the valley views in solitude. Then it was time to head back down the switchbacks and back across the Valley floor.
