El Capitan granite monolith reflects in icy Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, USA.

The granite monolith of El Capitan reflects in Merced River at Valley View. El Capitan rises 3000 feet (900 m) above Yosemite Valley floor to 7569 feet elevation in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Rock climbers flock from around the world test themselves on the huge granitic face. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves, and biological diversity. 100 million years ago, El Capitan and the entire Sierra Nevada crystallized into granite from magma 5 miles underground. The range started uplifting 4 million years ago, and glaciers eroded the landscape seen today in Yosemite. Panorama stitched from 4 overlapping photos.

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Contained in galleries: California: Sierras: Yosemite National Park, Highlights 2010-2013, USA: California favorites

The granite monolith of El Capitan reflects in Merced River at Valley View. El Capitan rises 3000 feet (900 m) above Yosemite Valley floor to 7569 feet elevation in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Rock climbers flock from around the world test themselves on the huge granitic face. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves, and biological diversity. 100 million years ago, El Capitan and the entire Sierra Nevada crystallized into granite from magma 5 miles underground. The range started uplifting 4 million years ago, and glaciers eroded the landscape seen today in Yosemite. Panorama stitched from 4 overlapping photos.