Yosemite, California

Yosemite National Park is a national park largely in Mariposa County, and Tuolumne County, California, United States. The park covers an area of 1,189 mi² (3,081 km²) and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. Yosemite is visited by over 3 million visitors each year, with most only seeing Yosemite Valley. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves, and biological diversity (about 89% of the park is designated wilderness area). It was also the first park set aside by the U.S. federal government. Although not the first designated national park, Yosemite was a focal point in the development of the national park idea, largely owing to the work of people like John Muir.

El Capitan

El Capitan is a 3,000 foot vertical rock formation in Yosemite Valley and Yosemite National Park. It is one of the most popular monoliths with rock climbers in the world. 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 dozens of named climbing routes, all of them long and difficult. more information on El Capitan can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Capitan

Half Dome

Half Dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, possibly the Valley's most familiar sight. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 feet (1,440 m) above the Valley floor. Over a dozen rock climbing routes lead from the valley up Half Dome's vertical northwest face. Other routes ascend the south face and the west shoulder. The first route climbed was the Regular Northwest Face route - originally climbed in 1957 by Royal Robbins, Mike Sherrick, and Jerry Gallwas. This 5-day ascent was the first Grade VI climb in the United States. more information on Half Dome can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Dome