Sentinel Falls

Sentinel Falls is the second-tallest waterfall in Yosemite National Park and the tallest waterfall south of Yosemite Valley. The falls are made up of about a dozen separate steps ranging in height from 50 to 690 feet, of which four fall at least 200 feet each. However, due to the huge size and inaccessibility of the falls, it is difficult to determine the exact height of each step.

At more than 7,200 feet above sea level, the falls' Sentinel Creek crosses Yosemite Valley after draining a small basin near Glacier Point Road. Sentinel Creek may flow for longer periods of time than any other seasonal waterfall in Yosemite Valley thanks to its expansive drainage basin, which is larger than that of any of the other waterfalls in the valley. The waterfall will, nonetheless, be entirely dry by August, even in years with exceptionally high snowfall.

According to how the falls have been plotted, the USGS Half Dome quadrangle depicts Sentinel Creek running northeast of a tiny domed knoll right above the falls at roughly the 7360-foot level. But in pictures of Sentinel Falls, the creek can be seen flowing into Yosemite Valley southwest of this mound. The falls are not any taller than previously believed, although this does explain why they do not seem to dogleg to the left right after the first tier of the fall.

To conclude, Sentinel Falls:

• The second-tallest waterfall in Yosemite National Park and the tallest waterfall south of Yosemite Valley at more than 7,200 feet above sea level.
• Are made up of about a dozen separate steps ranging in height from 50 to 690 feet.
• The waterfall will be entirely dry by August.