El Capitan

One of Yosemite National Park's most recognizable geological features, El Capitan draws plenty of visitors who come to climb, take photographs, or merely gawk at its gargantuaness. The rock was named El Capitan in the mid 19th century, a Spanish translation of the Miwok word for the feature. Those wishing to climb El Cap (as it's affectionately known) can go on their own or arrange classes or guided hikes through the Yosemite Mountaineering School & Guide Service.

• El Capitan is a bit of a pilgrimage site for rock climbers and fans of the sport.

• Take binoculars to spot the little bits of color that pinpoint adventurous climbers tackling the smooth and nearly vertical cliff.

• Permits are not required to climb El Capitan.

El Capitan is located on the northern side of Yosemite Valley, across from Bridalveil Fall. You can get great views (and photos) from the pullover at Tunnel View. If you're interested in hiking to the top of El Capitan, the trailhead is at Tamarack Flat Campground.

The best time to visit El Cap is in spring or summer, when temperatures are pleasant, particularly if you are interested in climbing. If you visit between May and October, stop by the “Ask a Climber” station at El Capitan bridge, where Yosemite rock climbers answer questions and telescopes are available to spot climbers. Note that the road leading to the Tamarack Flat Campground trailhead is closed from December to May.

Easily the world's most famous living rock climber, Alex Honnold is best-known as the first person to have free-soloed (climbed without the use of ropes) El Capitan, doing so in under four hours. His journey up the rock was captured in the filmFree Solo, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019.

Yes, you can walk up El Capitan—but it's challenging. The El Capitan hiking trail is a 20-mile (32-kilometer) trek that climbs 5,200 feet (1,585 meters). It includes steep, slippery, uneven trail sections and takes even the strongest hikers 8–12 hours to complete.

Most rock climbers measure their El Cap attempts in days rather than hours. It usually takes around six days to climb Yosemite's most famous rock face (though some climbers have scaled it in under three hours). If you're walking to the top, it's a strenuous 8- to 12-hour hike along a steep trail.

El Capitan is spectacular at any time of day—but Yosemite photographers tend to seek out the landmark in the early morning or late afternoon. One classic shot of El Capitan is an early-evening image of the rock face from Tunnel View, the scenic overlook accessible from the park's south entrance.

There are many viewpoints of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. As you enter the park from the south, you'll see a panorama from Tunnel View. In Yosemite Valley, you can look at the rockface from El Capitan Meadow, which also has views of Lower and Middle Cathedral Rock.

There are no beginner-friendly rock climbing routes up El Capitan. El Capitan is considered one of the world's most challenging routes, and it takes many experts six days to reach the top. The easiest El Capitan climbing route is the East Buttress—and that's still an arduous rock climb.

El Capitan is spectacular all year. Summer months are crowded, so consider a shoulder-season visit: There's more room to roam in March–April and September–November. Spring and fall are also popular times to climb El Capitan, so with a pair of binoculars, you might even spot climbers high above Yosemite Valley.