El Capitan via Yosemite Falls Trail
16 miles RT
3,600 Elevation Gain
Hiking to the top of El Capitan was my bucket list for a long time ever since I saw El Cap when I visited Yosemite for the first time back in my college days. I still remember vividly the awestruck sensation I felt when I saw the looming "monolith" in the Yosemite valley. Along with Half Dome, El Cap is a famed icon for many rock climbers just like Mt. Everest for mountaineers.
The hardest part of El Cap hike via Yosemite Falls Trail takes place for the first 3.2 miles of Yosemite Falls trail trekking up and up the rocky and slippery granite trail gaining 2,700 feet elevation. After the steep and rocky trail of Yosemite Falls, the trail continues through the forest gaining about 1,000 feet elevation up and down in 4.7 miles. Eagle Peak Trail connects with El Cap Trail, so that's an option to explore on the way to or back from El Cap. I hear the views from Eagle Peak are unbeatable.
No pain, no gain. The reward you see from the top of El Cap is unforgettable! Take in breathtaking panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and High Sierras. Splendid. It's a must do hike if you want to stand on the top of El Cap....unless you are a hardcore rock climber to challenge scaling the granite monolith - 3,000 feet vertical.
By the way, I saw bears twice. The first bear was an adult bear about 3/4 miles from El Cap and the second time was three young ones (larger than a cub, but not fully grown adult) about 1.5 miles from El Cap on the way back to trailhead. They all ran away as soon as they saw me, but one of the three actually climbed up a tall tree! Wow, bears can climb a tree so fast!....faster than a squirrel? No kidding. Well, if you encounter a bear on the trail, do not be scared. Here's a rule of thumb staying safe around bears.
Happy Hiking! :)
