El Capitan has a fitting name. The 3,000-foot formation is one of the largest exposed pieces of granite in the world. It was named El Capitan, or Spanish for “The Captain”, in response to its Native American name translated to “The Chief.” It seems that, no matter the language, people respect El Capitan’s size. Located in Yosemite Valley, El Capitan is a favorite among experienced rock climbers. The striking granite monolith can be seen from a variety of vantage points and is one of the most beautiful, if not most impressive, viewpoints in all of Yosemite.
Address: El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, CA