El Capitan Hike From Valley Floor

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.

El capitan hike from valley floor.

It is a beautiful land formation with a surface smooth the result of glacier activity nearly 1 3 million. El capitan is a granite monolith that juts upward 3 000 feet above the yosemite valley floor. 7 2 mi 11 6 km half loop elevation gain. Hiking el capitan the yosemite icon is a challenge that is both exhausting and incredibly satisfying.

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. The hike is difficult but rewarding offering views that can hardly be matched anywhere else. Hike along the top of el capitan to the summit for great views of yosemite beyond the valley. 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.

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. 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. El capitan rises above the el capitan bridge trail overview.

5 7 hours full loop 2 5 3 5 hours half loop begin at. 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. Another option pick a climbing route and enjoy the climb up. This mostly level 6 or 13 mile loop is surprisingly one of the least traveled trails in the valley.

Enjoy terrific views of el capitan half dome yosemite falls and the merced river. 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. 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.

The trail is best used from may through october or early november depending on snow levels. 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. Family watching the falls in yosemite valley. Valley floor loop trail.

If you re itching for hours of hiking amid some of the world s most famous geological grandeur consider the valley floor loop.