Half Dome: what time does it glow at sunset?
Short answer: 6 Nov 2026: Golden then red light on Half Dome from about 16:34 until last light at 17:03. Be at Sentinel Bridge or Glacier Point by 16:04.
Half Dome's sheer north-west face glows orange and pink at sunset, reflected in the Merced River at Sentinel Bridge. The face only gets the evening sun from spring to autumn, when the sun sets far enough north.
Fri 6 November 2026
Last light 17:03
Golden then red light on Half Dome from about 16:34 until last light at 17:03. Be at Sentinel Bridge or Glacier Point by 16:04.
| 16:04 | Arrive at Sentinel Bridge or Glacier Point (by) |
| 16:34 | Gold turns to orange on the summit |
| 16:56 | Sunset on a flat horizon here (the valley is already in shade) |
| 17:03 | Last light: the very top turns red, then grey |
Plan it
Sentinel Bridge has the river reflection; Glacier Point looks across at it from the same height. Glacier Point Road is closed in winter. The glow needs a clear sky towards the west as well as over the peak.
Through the year
| 15th of | Last light | Glow |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17:13 | 16:42–17:13 |
| February | 17:46 | 17:18–17:46 |
| March | 19:14 | 18:47–19:14 |
| April | 19:43 | 19:15–19:43 |
| May | 20:11 | 19:41–20:11 |
| June | 20:32 | 20:00–20:32 |
| July | 20:29 | 19:59–20:29 |
| August | 20:00 | 19:32–20:00 |
| September | 19:15 | 18:47–19:15 |
| October | 18:30 | 18:02–18:30 |
| November | 16:56 | 16:26–16:56 |
| December | 16:50 | 16:18–16:50 |
Half Dome by month
Questions
What time is the sunset glow on Half Dome?
6 Nov 2026: Golden then red light on Half Dome from about 16:34 until last light at 17:03. Be at Sentinel Bridge or Glacier Point by 16:04. The time moves through the year; pick your date above.
How much earlier does Half Dome catch the sun than the valley?
About 7 minutes after a sunrise on a flat horizon at Sentinel Bridge or Glacier Point.
Which month has the earliest and latest last light?
January 17:13, February 17:46, March 19:14, April 19:43, May 20:11, June 20:32, July 20:29, August 20:00, September 19:15, October 18:30, November 16:56, December 16:50 (15th of each month).
How is this calculated?
A summit high above its surroundings looks down on its own horizon, so it sees the sun before anything below it. For each date we find the moment the sun's upper edge clears the skyline as seen from the summit (allowing for the dip of the horizon, refraction and higher ridges nearby). The red, then orange, then gold glow lasts until the sun is about 5° higher. Expect the real moment within about 5 minutes.
Summit 2,694 m. Times are local (America/Los_Angeles).