El Capitan Hike From Valley Floor

Family watching the falls in yosemite valley.

El capitan hike from valley floor.

If you re itching for hours of hiking amid some of the world s most famous geological grandeur consider the valley floor loop. 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. Hike along the top of el capitan to the summit for great views of yosemite beyond the valley. Enjoy terrific views of el capitan half dome yosemite falls and the merced river.

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 hike is difficult but rewarding offering views that can hardly be matched anywhere else. El capitan rises above the el capitan bridge trail overview. Another option pick a climbing route and enjoy the climb up.

11 5 mi 18 5 km full loop. 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. 7 2 mi 11 6 km half loop elevation gain.

One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round making it appear like a dome cut in half. Have your choice of picnic spots along several tranquil meadows lower. 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. 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 granite crest rises more than 4 737 ft 1 444 m above the valley floor. 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. 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.

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. Valley floor loop trail. 5 7 hours full loop 2 5 3 5 hours half loop begin at. The trail is primarily used for hiking running nature trips and bird watching and is best used from april until october.

It is a beautiful land formation with a surface smooth the result of glacier activity nearly 1 3 million.