El Capitan Hike From Valley Floor

Hiking el capitan the yosemite icon is a challenge that is both exhausting and incredibly satisfying.

El capitan hike from valley floor.

The trail is best used from may through october or early november depending on snow levels. 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. El capitan rises above the el capitan bridge trail overview. 5 7 hours full loop 2 5 3 5 hours half loop begin at.

One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round making it appear like a dome cut in half. Valley floor loop trail. 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. The hike is difficult but rewarding offering views that can hardly be matched anywhere else.

7 2 mi 11 6 km half loop elevation gain. El capitan is a granite monolith that juts upward 3 000 feet above the yosemite valley floor. El capitan trail historical is a 13 5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near yosemite valley california that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. 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.

Hike along the top of el capitan to the summit for great views of yosemite beyond the valley. From the big oak flat road it s 9 7 miles to the trailhead and 5 6 miles from the top of upper yosemite falls trail 9 2 miles from the valley floor via upper yosemite falls trail. If you re itching for hours of hiking amid some of the world s most famous geological grandeur consider the valley floor loop. 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. 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. The trail is primarily used for hiking running nature trips and bird watching and is best used from april until october. 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.

Have your choice of picnic spots along several tranquil meadows lower. Enjoy terrific views of el capitan half dome yosemite falls and the merced river. Another option pick a climbing route and enjoy the climb up. 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.

The granite crest rises more than 4 737 ft 1 444 m above the valley floor.