Sentinel Fall | World Waterfall Database

CATALOGED
This waterfall has been surveyed, mapped and measured in person by the World Waterfall Database.

Sentinel Fall is the tallest waterfall on the south side of Yosemite Valley and the second tallest waterfall in Yosemite National Park at just shy of 2,000 feet. Sentinel Creek drains from a small basin along the Glacier Point Road and intersects Yosemite Valley at an elevation of over 7,200 feet above sea level. The falls consist six distinct steps ranging from 50 to 500 feet in height, but due to the immense size of the falls and the lack of approachability, the exact height of each tier is difficult to determine.

Sentinel Creek has the largest drainage basin of the more minor waterfalls in Yosemite Valley, and coupled with substantial soil retention through the basin the stream manages to flow for longer periods than any other seasonal waterfall in the valley. However even during exceptionally heavy snow years the falls will shrink and dry out entirely by August, though it usually runs dry by July.

Regarding how the falls have been mapped, the USGS Half Dome quadrangle shows Sentinel Creek flowing to the northeast of a small domed knoll at about the 7360 foot mark just above the falls. Photographs of Sentinel Falls however show the creek breaking into Yosemite Valley to the southwest of this knoll. While this doesn't indicate the falls to be any taller than previously thought, it does explain why the falls do not appear to dogleg to the left immediately after the first tier of the fall.

Seasonal Discharge
This waterfall occurs along a stream that is known to vary greatly in volume and as a result may not flow consistently year round or may dry out completely during certain periods.

HISTORY AND NAMES

Sentinel Fall is the Official name of this waterfall

Sentinel Fall and its stream were named after nearby Sentinel Rock. The USGS inventories the placename using the singular form "Fall", but Mike Osborne's excellent book Granite, Water and Light: The Waterfalls of Yosemite Valley cites the falls using the plural "Falls". Both may have been correctly used at one time or another, and its understandable since there are multiple steps that the term "Falls" may be more appropriate, but we're going with the USGS judgment on this one until we see historical evidence to support otherwise.

Our thoughts

While Sentinel Fall may not be a juggernaut on the scale of Yosemite Falls or even of the likewise seasonal Ribbon Falls, if visitation to Yosemite Valley is timed correctly, Sentinel is quite impressive and eye catching in its stair-step down the valley wall. Waterfall hunters will certainly take note, but casual visitors may also be impressed by the significance of the falls, even if it is just temporary.

Location and directions

Sentinel Fall is easily seen many areas throughout Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. Pullouts along Southside Drive near the Sentinel Beach picnic area provide the closest roadside views, while nearby Leidig Meadow allows views with less foreshortening (and no roads to besmirch the vistas either).

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Sentinel Fall is shown in the center. The 10 closest waterfalls within a 8km radius are shown as well (if any). Click any icon or see the list below for more information.

Additional Nearby Waterfalls

Name of Waterfall	Distance
Fissure Falls	0.83 mi / 1.33 km
Staircase Falls	1.17 mi / 1.87 km
Illilouette Fall	1.88 mi / 3.01 km
Columbia Cascade	1.92 mi / 3.07 km
Horsetail Falls	1.97 mi / 3.15 km
Eagle Creek Cascade	2.21 mi / 3.53 km
Royal Arch Cascade	2.22 mi / 3.55 km
Yosemite Falls	2.35 mi / 3.76 km
Vernal Fall	2.75 mi / 4.4 km
Lehamite Falls	2.83 mi / 4.53 km

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Photography tips

Though the base of the falls can be approached with some work, by far the best views are from the valley floor. Because the falls face northwest, expect the sun to be directly over the falls during the late morning hours. Best lighting will be from about 1pm onward. Focal lengths in excess of 100mm will be needed to reveal detail in the falls, but the entire waterfall can be framed with less.

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Sentinel Fall Mariposa County, California, United States