Yosemite National Park: Clouds Rest

Few peak-bagging efforts begin with a photographing frenzy, but this 6-mile hike to Clouds Rest starts right off with can’t miss photo-ops. Be careful not to sprain your shutter finger at Tenaya Lake, a beautiful, crystal-blue tarn gouged by glaciers eons ago. Hop on the Sunrise Trail for a flat, 1.6-mile warm-up to the glittering azure of Sunrise Lakes. Then, let the climbing begin.
From here on, you’ll gain nearly 1,500 feet over 4.5 miles and climb, literally, into the clouds. Don’t worry about throngs of summit-hungry hikers: Clouds Rest lacks the crowds that nearby Half Dome attracts. Climbing along evergreen stands, isolated, alpine lakes and the eroding curvature of Tenaya Canyon, you may begin to feel you’re the only person left in the world.
Five miles in, the route steadily ascends to a ridgeline. The back end of Cloud’s Rest appears to the west. Hug the eastern edge of the mountainside and muscle your way through the 500-foot climb to the summit. All the glacier-carved wonder of Little Yosemite Valley and the surrounding peaks unfolds at the top of Clouds Rest (9,926 ft.). 360-degree views stretch for hundreds of miles. Even better: you’ll likely be looking down on Half Dome (8,836 ft.). Soak it all in and then backtrack to the trailhead.
MORE INFO: Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-020; nps.gov/yose/
-Mapped by Dave Miller

TO TRAILHEAD: From Groveland, CA, head northeast on Kelley Grade/Marshes Flat Road. At 1.7 miles, make a slight left to stay on Kelley Grade/Marshes Flat Road and continue for 2.2 miles. Bear left at CA-49. After 0.7 miles, turn right onto CA-120 and continue for 40 miles. Turn left onto CA-120. After 30.8 miles, follow the road east to Sunrise Trailhead on the south end of Tenaya Lake. CA-120/Tioga Road is a seasonal road that closes in November and reopens on May 21.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 9.9

Waypoints

CLR001

Location: 37.825489, -119.4678116

At the Sunrise Trailhead, hike south on a paved path. No water is available at the trailhead except Tenaya Lake.

CLR002

Location: 37.8244324, -119.4680023

Bear R @ Y-junction. Continue on the shady, worn trail that is lined with large granite boulders. Spur option: Turn left and walk 400 feet through trees to picturesque Tenaya Lake.

CLR003

Location: 37.8063774, -119.4620514

During the next mile, climb 1,000 feet up switchbacks with granite steps and cobblestones.

CLR004

Location: 37.8007202, -119.4584579

Bear R @ Y-junction. The first major climb is now over. Leave the Sunrise Trail and follow the trail sign to Clouds Rest. From here, the trail loses about 300 feet of that hard-fought elevation.

CLR005

Location: 37.7835312, -119.4636459

Cross a small creek. (It runs yearlong, representing a possible water source). The trail from here climbs for a short distance through an evergreen forest.

CLR006

Location: 37.7773056, -119.4692459

Bear R @ 3-way junction. The trail gradually ascends for a bit then takes a moderate climb to the ridge. Here, the trail is very wide and the growth between trees sparse. During the ascent, look west to see the backside of Cloud’s Rest.

CLR007

Location: 37.7698631, -119.4878616

Bear R @ the trail marker and head up the rocky path. Veer L onto the narrow ridge leading to the summit. After the first crest, the summit of Clouds Rest is in view. Continue on the narrow trail 500 feet to the top.

CLR008

Location: 37.7678991, -119.4893217

Reach the Clouds Rest summit (9,926 feet). Enjoy 360-degree views of Yosemite, including Half Dome, North Dome, Sentinel Dome, El Capitan, Glacier Point, Cathedral Rocks, Pinnacles, Vogelsang, Tenaya Lake, Olmstead Point, Fletcher Peak, Cathedral Peak, and Unicorn Point. Retrace steps back to Tenaya Lake and the Sunrise Trailhead.

Half Dome and the Valley

Location: 37.768364, -119.4891586

©Dave Miller

Tenaya Lake

Location: 37.825277, -119.4676924

©Dave Miller

Trailhead

Location: 37.8257217, -119.4683609

Sunrise Trailhead. ©Dave Miller

Granite Trail

Location: 37.8027991, -119.459281

©Dave Miller

Trailmarker

Location: 37.8006859, -119.4595261

©Dave Miller

Tarn

Location: 37.789608, -119.461937

©Dave Miller

Burned Tree

Location: 37.7852364, -119.4636688

©Dave Miller

Ominous

Location: 37.7799454, -119.4684372

©Dave Miller

Junction

Location: 37.7763443, -119.4693222

©Dave Miller

Northern View

Location: 37.777668, -119.4761505

©Dave Miller

Wide Trail

Location: 37.7766457, -119.4790421

©Dave Miller

Lightning Tree

Location: 37.7748375, -119.4810028

©Dave Miller

View from the top

Location: 37.7716307, -119.4861889

©Dave Miller

Summit in Sight

Location: 37.7710075, -119.4878311

©Dave Miller

Almost There

Location: 37.7704773, -119.4882813

©Dave Miller

Narrow Trail

Location: 37.768837, -119.4886398

©Dave Miller

Happy Hikers

Location: 37.7679901, -119.4894257

©Dave Miller