Sentinel Rock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sentinel Rock
A photo of Sentinel Rock in Yosemite Valley, taken by Tom Frost
Highest point
Elevation	7,038 ft (2,145 m)
Geography
Location	Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada
Topo map	USGS Half Dome
Geology
Age of rock	Cretaceous
Mountain type	Granite
Climbing
First ascent	June 30 - July 4, 1950, by Allen Steck and John Salathé
Easiest route	Circular Staircase (class 5.8)

Sentinel Rock is a granitic peak in Yosemite National Park, California, United States. It towers over Yosemite Valley, opposite Yosemite Falls. Sentinel Rock lies 0.7 miles (1.1 km) northwest of Sentinel Dome.

How it was formed

Sentinel Rock formed when masses of rock split off Yosemite Valley's south-side cliff, along steep joints trending nearly east-west. This formed the near-vertical north face of Sentinel Rock.

Climbing

The most famous climbing route is the Steck-Salathé route, which is rated a class 5.10b G A0.

Climber Derek Hersey died while attempting to free solo climb Sentinel Rock in 1993.

Images for kids

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  Northwest aspect

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  Sentinel Rock (right) in Yosemite Valley. (camera pointed east)

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  Sentinel Rock postcard, circa 1901