Sentinel Rock

Sentinel Rock. Photo by Blitzo.

Description 

Sentinel Rock sits perched like a big dark tombstone above the Valley floor, right across from Yosemite Falls. Climbing on Sentinel is pretty cool, because you get a bird's eye view of both the Falls and El Capitan, just around the corner to the east. The most popular route on Sentinel is the Steck-Salathe route (5.9), first climbed by Yosemite legends Allen Steck and John Salathe back in 1950.

Warning: The descent gully, off the backside of the rock, is hazardous and climbers should take extra care when descending!!!

Getting There 

Sentinel Rock is found on the south side of the Valley, across from Yosemite Falls. You can park for the Four-Mile Trail to approach.

The Classics

Featured Route For Sentinel Rock

Steck-Salathe 5.10-  CA : Yosemite National Park : ... : Sentinel Rock

The Steck-Salathe truly deserves its status as one of the "Fifty Classic Climbs of North America". Everything from the climbing itself to the many stories of adventure had on the north face of the Sentinel makes this climb a must-do for any aspiring Valley climber -- if not a route to be repeated again and again, it certainly should at least be seen as a rite of passage. The climb's reputation for being long, wide, and physical is well deserved...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Sentinel Rock Slideshow

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Sentinel Rock. Photo by Blitzo.	Sentinel Rock and The Muir Tree. Photo by Blitzo.	Sentinel-storm. Photo by Blitzo.
The Sentinel	Sentinel Rock West Face. Photo by Blitzo.	Sentinel Rock. Photo by Blitzo.
A nice problem at the Sentinel boulers	The Sentinel	It's big!!!
Sentinel Rock and the Chapel	Sentinal Rock from across the Valley, 5/09. Photo ...