Yes, it's a big rock, but what makes El Capitan a must-witness sight in Yosemite is the fact that it's the largest exposed-granite monolith in the world. Oh, and people climb it. Rising 3,593 feet—more than 350 stories—above the Valley, El Capitan was once considered impossible to climb. However, since Warren Harding first conquered the "nose" in 1958, El Capitan has become the standard for big-wall climbing. Take binoculars to spot the little bits of color that pinpoint adventurous climbers tackling the smooth and nearly vertical cliff.

El Capitan, a favorite with climbers, is one of Yosemite Valley's many awe-inspiring granite sentinels. More than 3,000 feet above the valley floor, El Capitan is seen here mirrored in snow-lined Merced River.

Watch the last rays of sunset leave El Capitan, as you sit in El Cap Meadow. After entering the park, keep driving the loop until you get onto Northside Drive, and then park once you are right below El Capitan.Once you've parked, grab a blanket, snacks, and a beverage. With these items in hand, walk over to the eastern side of the meadow and stay on the designated path that goes past the fences and into the meadow. Now find a spot to relax and enjoy the sunset. A spot that is my personal favorite is right next to the tree on the eastern side of the meadow.

At nearly 3600ft from base to summit, El Capitan ranks as one of the world’s largest granite monoliths. Its sheer face makes it a world-class destination for experienced climbers, and one that wasn’t ‘conquered’ until 1958. Since then, it’s been inundated. As part of its ‘Ask-a-Climber’ program, begun in 2011, the Yosemite Climbing Association sets up a telescope through which you can view climbers at El Capitan Bridge and answers visitors’ questions. The road offers several good spots from which to watch climbers reckoning with El Cap’s series of cracks and ledges, including the famous ‘Nose.' The Valley View turnout is one. For a wider view, try the pullout along Southside Dr just east of Bridalveil Fall. You can also park on Northside Dr, just below El Capitan, perhaps the best vantage point, though you’ll need binoculars for a really good view. Look for climbers' haul bags first – they’re bigger, more colorful and move around more than the climbers, making them easier to spot. At night, park along the road and dim your headlights; once your eyes adjust, you’ll easily make out the pinpricks of headlamps dotting the rock face. Listen, too, for voices.

El Capitan, Yosemite – El Capitan is a favorite for experienced rock climbers. Rising more than 914 meters above the Yosemite Valley floor, it is the largest monolith of granite in the world. El Capitan is opposite Bridalveil Fall and is best seen from the roads in western Yosemite Valley, including Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall area, and El Capitan Meadow. Source: nps.gov

El Capitan is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, located on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The granite monolith extends about 3,000 feet from base to summit along its tallest face, and is one of the world's favorite challenges for rock climbers. The formation was named "El Capitan" by the Mariposa Battalion when it explored the valley in 1851. El Capitán was taken to be a loose Spanish translation of the local Native American name for the cliff, variously transcribed as "To-to-kon oo-lah" or "To-tock-ah-noo-lah". It is unclear if the Native American name referred to a specific Tribal chief, or simply meant "the chief" or "rock chief". In modern times, the formation's name is often contracted to "El Cap", especially among rock climbers. The top of El Capitan can be reached by hiking out of Yosemite Valley on the trail next to Yosemite Falls, then proceeding west. For climbers, the challenge is to climb up the sheer granite face; there are many named climbing routes, all of them arduous.