El Capitan

El Capitan’s famous vertical walls dominate the north-west end of Yosemite Valley. This granite monolith is about 3,000ft (900+m) above the valley floor. It is admired by visitors, a decent puff of a walk, and one of the world’s great climbing challenges, as the death rate shows.

The route from Yosemite Valley to El Capitan starts by climbing the Yosemite Falls Trail, a demanding trail which climbs 2,700ft in some 3.5 miles, viewing the amazing cascades of the endless eponymous falls (which do, admittedly, vary between huge flow to a slow trickle depending on the time of year), as well as giddy views down onto Yosemite Valley.

At the top, you head on up by the creek for a bit, then turn left (west) and wind across the high ground to just behind Eagle Peak on the rim, which, with its outstanding views, is definitely worth the extra 2+ mile round trip.

Back on the trail, wind through further attractive high country to the top of El Capitan, which boasts stunning views along the south side of the valley – Cathedral Rocks, Taft Point, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and round to North Dome. 

Two of Yosemite’s – indeed the world’s – finest views in one walk – mustn’t grumble!

The hike is long (around 15 miles, 18 including Eagle Point) and demanding, but hugely rewarding, Best used from May through October or early November, depending on snow levels.

You can also access El Cap from Tamerack Flat off the northern Tioga Road, so can make a through walk of it from both directions. As a linear route, you would have to plan getting to/from trailheads carefully. Shuttle buses, while excellent in many ways, aren’t always easy. See our Yosemite page for more.

See our Yosemite page for more general and practical information and photos.

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