El Capitan Hike From Valley Floor

Hike along the top of el capitan to the summit for great views of yosemite beyond the valley.

El capitan hike from valley floor.

Have your choice of picnic spots along several tranquil meadows lower. Half dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of yosemite valley in yosemite national park california it is a well known rock formation in the park named for its distinct shape. Enjoy terrific views of el capitan half dome yosemite falls and the merced river. 7 2 mi 11 6 km half loop elevation gain.

Another option pick a climbing route and enjoy the climb up. The trail is primarily used for hiking running nature trips and bird watching and is best used from april until october. El capitan is a granite monolith that juts upward 3 000 feet above the yosemite valley floor. The hike is difficult but rewarding offering views that can hardly be matched anywhere else.

This mostly level 6 or 13 mile loop is surprisingly one of the least traveled trails in the valley. Hiking el capitan the yosemite icon is a challenge that is both exhausting and incredibly satisfying. Of all the trails we took on in yosemite the el capitan hike was the hardest with a brutal start that is followed by a very long trail to the summit. One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round making it appear like a dome cut in half.

El capitan rises above the el capitan bridge trail overview. The trail is best used from may through october or early november depending on snow levels. This route on which you may encounter ice or snow depending on current conditions can be done as a half loop of 6 5 miles or a full loop of 13 miles depending on whether you turn around at el capitan bridge. 11 5 mi 18 5 km full loop.

It is a beautiful land formation with a surface smooth the result of glacier activity nearly 1 3 million. The granite crest rises more than 4 737 ft 1 444 m above the valley floor. 5 7 hours full loop 2 5 3 5 hours half loop begin at. The el capitan trail is a 15 mile hike in yosemite national park that drops you off at the top of el capitan offering stunning views of taft point dewey point half dome clouds rest and north dome.

Valley floor loop trail. Lower yosemite fall shuttle stop 6 head west along the bicycle path until you see signs for the valley loop trail this trail follows many of the valley s. If you re itching for hours of hiking amid some of the world s most famous geological grandeur consider the valley floor loop. If you are planning to hike the half loop cross the merced river at el capitan bridge and continue by heading east back toward yosemite village.

From the lower yosemite fall area head west by the base of the three brothers rock formation just past camp 4 eventually working your way through yosemite valley to el capitan.