El Capitan, Granite mountain in Yosemite National Park, United States
El Capitan is a granite wall in Yosemite National Park that rises roughly 914 meters (3,000 feet) above the valley floor. The face extends more than a kilometer in width and presents a nearly vertical surface with cracks, edges, and smooth sections of polished granite.
The Ahwahneechee people called this formation Tutokanula, meaning Rock Chief, long before Spanish explorers translated the name to El Capitan in the 19th century. The first complete ascent of the Nose route took place in 1958, marking the beginning of modern bigwall climbing.
Climbing teams from around the world gather here to test themselves on the vertical walls, and their tents at the base form a temporary community of adventurers. You often see spectators with binoculars tracking the tiny figures on the rock face from the valley floor, commenting on their progress.
The hike to the summit takes a full day and requires an early morning start, as the ascent is long and steep. The best time to visit is between spring and fall when trails are free of snow and temperatures remain comfortable.
During certain February evenings, Horsetail Fall on the eastern side appears like a glowing fire cascade when sunset light turns the waterfall orange-red. This natural display lasts only a few minutes and depends on perfect conditions like sufficient meltwater and a clear sky.
Location: Mariposa County
Elevation above the sea: 2,307 m
Made from material: granite
GPS coordinates: 37.73422,-119.63761
Latest update: December 2, 2025 22:35
Cliffs rank among Earth's most striking geological formations, ranging from coastal precipices to inland mountain faces. Along oceans, they shape coastlines for thousands of miles, while in mountain regions they form vertical walls that draw climbers from around the world. This collection documents significant cliffs across six continents, including Ireland's 214-meter (702-foot) Cliffs of Moher, England's white chalk cliffs at Dover, and Norway's Preikestolen, which rises 604 meters (1,982 feet) above Lysefjord. Among the locations are some of Earth's highest vertical walls. Hawaii's Kalaupapa Cliffs on Molokai reach 1,010 meters (3,315 feet), while Pakistan's Trango Towers rise above 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) with nearly vertical rock faces. Coastal formations like Normandy's Étretat cliffs, Ireland's Slieve League, and Australia's Bunda Cliffs along the Nullarbor Plain demonstrate the power of marine erosion. Inland, formations such as California's El Capitan, China's Zhangjiajie National Forest Park towers, and South Africa's Table Mountain create distinctive landscape features shaped by different geological processes over millions of years.
Geological formations develop over millions of years through natural processes including erosion, weathering, and tectonic activity. These rocks and stone structures take various forms – arches, monoliths, spheres, and pillars – shaped by wind, water, and time. They document Earth's geological history and provide insight into the forces that have sculpted our planet. From the red sandstone formations of the Australian outback to the granite arches of Central Europe, these sites demonstrate the diversity of geological processes across different climates and landscapes. The collection includes locations such as Uluru in Australia's Northern Territory, a 1,142-foot (348-meter) sandstone monolith of cultural significance to the Anangu people. In Rogaland, Norway, Kjeragbolten is a boulder wedged between two cliff faces. Pravčická Brána in the Czech Republic's Ústí nad Labem region is Europe's largest natural sandstone arch with a span of 85 feet (26 meters). Other examples include the Moeraki Boulders in New Zealand, nearly spherical stones along the beach, and El Capitan in California, a 2,900-foot (900-meter) granite wall. These formations serve both geological research and as destinations for travelers interested in exploring natural landforms.
The Nose
632 m
Yosemite Valley
1.6 km
Yosemite Falls
4 km
Horsetail Fall
891 m
Taft Point
3.7 km
Tunnel View
4 km
Camp 4
3.3 km
Lost Arrow Spire
4.6 km
Ribbon Fall
918 m
Four Mile Trail
4.5 km
Swinging Bridge
3.3 km
Middle Cathedral Rock
2.1 km
Yosemite Museum & Library
4.7 km
Columbia Boulder
3.2 km
Eagle Peak
2.4 km
Rangers' Club
4.7 km
Silver Strand Falls
4.3 km
Pohono Bridge
3.2 km
Yosemite Valley Visitor Center
4.7 km
El Capitan Bridge
1.3 km
Yosemite Creek Bridge
3.9 km
Dewey Point
3.6 km
Sentinel Bridge
4.3 km
Yosemite Creek Footbridge
4.1 km
Superintendent's House
4 km
Yosemite Research Library
4.7 km
Sentinel Meadow Boardwalk
3.8 km
Southside Drive
2.2 kmReviews
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