I always recommend downloading a GPX file onto a GPS device, that way you can check in from time to time to be sure you’re on the right trail. A couple miles into the trail there is a thousand foot elevation gain through a series of switchbacks. Clouds Rest Trail Stats - All the nitty gritty details for the trail in one spot. Crane Flat Campground. As of 2020, you don't need a permit to hike to Clouds Rest from that side. The Clouds Rest hike begins at 7am at the Sunrise Trailhead parking along the west shore of Tenaya Lake. Clouds Rest is the highest point in the Valley sitting at 9,931 feet, 1,000 feet higher than Half Dome. For that reason, Clouds Rest makes an awesome alternative hike if you aren’t able to snag a Half Dome permit. The trail does have two forks after Tenaya Lake. Just be aware that there is a no-parking area just across the street from the parking area, so pay attention to signs. Geography. This route has an elevation gain of about 6136.9 ft and is rated as hard. Many famous Yosemite landmarks must be overcome in order to ascend Clouds Rest. While thousands of visitors flock to the National Park each year, few migrate far from the main valley floor. Important Notes: At the beginning of the hike, you have to cross the Tenaya Lake outlet, and this can be much more difficult if there is a lot of snowmelt making the water levels higher. Here I’ll walk you through a suggested itinerary for day hiking the Clouds Rest trail, so you can make your plans accordingly. An early start is suggested if you intend on making the last tram down. Handheld GPS with Satellite Communicator: things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer. Day 4 Clouds Rest Hike approximately 3.5 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest at 9,926 feet. There are two routes available, John Muir Trail (9.6 miles) and Mist Trail (10.5 miles). 15 pages of my best hiking, backpacking and rock climbing tips, techniques and inspiration to help you get started today on honing your outdoor adventure skills & ultimately becoming more confident and self-sufficient on the trails. The best place to start the Clouds Rest hike is from Sunrise Lakes Trailhead. It’s also very important to not leave food in your parked car. We went down the north side of the ridge for a little while and got a great view of Half Dome. These lakes are located to the south of Tenaya Lake. The many meadows that make up the lower elevation of the Clouds Rest trail. Just like Half Dome, Clouds Rest is a long trail that leads to some seriously stunning views. For Clouds Rest, you need a permit for Sunrise Lakes, and we highly recommend reserving this one, as it’s a very popular route. About half way through this section of the hike we came across Henry’s Lake. This resulted in us walking down a dirt road for the first 1.25 miles. It is much more dangerous to hike Clouds Rest when there’s snow on the trail, which can happen early and late in the season. As we were drying our feet with the microfiber rags from our packs and putting our shoes and sock back on they started across the river in their bare feet. Tuolumne Meadows is typically open from July through October 15, and half the sites are available by reservation while half are first-come/first served. Here you'll be rewarded with great views of all of Yosemite! Miles: 14.5 Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet (335 m) Permit Demand: Very High. Be prepared before you go. This 166-site campground is between Tenaya Lake and Yosemite Valley. You can download the GPX files from Clouds Rest Trail map below. I arrived just before sunrise and was surprised to find three cars already in the parking lot. Important Clouds Rest Safety Tips – Tips about the top hazards to expect along the Clouds Rest trail. How do you find gifts for RV owners that are worth taking up valuable space in the RV and won’t be left behind when they hit the road? If you do this, I definitely recommend staying in Mammoth Lakes. and you’ll want to turn right at both of them to stay on track for Clouds Rest. Always keep your distance if you see a bear. I didn’t find this too scary, there felt like plenty of room to safely walk, but if you’re scared of heights then this might be a bit scary for you and you may want to consider another on of Yosemite’s hikes. Porcupine Flat Campground. Clouds Rest can be approached from two trailheads - Tenaya Lake TH which is a mellow-er hike with an elevation gain of ~1700 feet over 6-7 miles; and Happy Isles TH which in my opinion is tougher than Half Dome due to both elevation gain & the distance. The narrow ridge at the top can feel much more precarious in slippery conditions. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. | shedreamsofalpine.com, 15 Best Things to do in Bend Oregon | Bend, Oregon is one of our favorite mountain towns in the US, and in this post we are going to list out some of our absolute favorite things to do in Bend, OR. While that means is a 50-min drive to Sunrise Lakes Trailhead, it is only a 30-min drive from the Valley if you plan to do more exploring there. You should plan to carry all the water you’ll need (and that will be a lot in the summer!). On the top, you immediately encounter the Y junction for either Cloud's Rest or Sunrise Lakes. I was still able to begin this hike at 6:19 local time and was the first car at […], Sedona – Cathedral Rock Date: June 10, 2019 Miles: 1.68 Elevation Gain: 791 ft Start Time: 4:47 am Duration: 1:30 hours I arrived at the trailhead just as it was getting light. This is right off of Higway 120/Tioga Road between Olmstead Point and Tenaya Lake. We were hoping to find […]. Before you attempt this hike, make sure to check trail condition reports to determine if the snow has melted (early in the season) or if snow is coming in (late in the season). Do you need a Clouds Rest permit to hike the Clouds Rest Trail? We never got vertigo or felt unsafe, although the internet is full of these accounts, but when you are walking on that ridge you certainly know you’re alive. Potable Aqua Germicidal Water Purification Tablets. However, you will usually be able to find a spot close by along the shoulder of the road. The highest peak in Yosemite is Mount Lyell which stands at 13,114 feet, whereas Clouds Rest stands at 5,000 feet. Starting Point: Happy Isles Trailhead (Note that there is another smaller and much less strenuous route to reach Clouds Rest summit which starts at the Tenaya Lake). From hiking to mountain biking, to bakeries, and to hot springs, there are so many fun things to do here! There are some really awesome things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer. To get to the trailhead, take Tioga Road to the west end of Tenaya Lake. Claiming that his group named the peak it as it was touching the clouds. To access the Clouds Rest Trail, you’re going to first need to travel to Yosemite National Park if you’re coming in from the West side of California. Over the course of 10 miles, hikers gain nearly 5000 feet in elevation. Clouds Rest Trail. A panoramic view of Tenaya canyon. So the best time to hike Clouds Rest is when the road is open, which is usually June through October, depending on the snowfall during the season. Bears are smart, and the ones in Yosemite have learned what coolers look like and that they can usually find food inside them. How long is the hike to Clouds Rest: ~12 miles (Check out Section 4 ‘Clouds Rest Hike Map, Itinerary, & GPX File’ for more details.) Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. Elevation Gain: 3,750 ft Start Time: 7:00 am Duration: 6:30 hours. Day 4. Hiking to Clouds Rest from Yosemite Valley may just be the most difficult day hike in the whole park. Views from the nearby ridge showcase Tenaya Canyon and Mt. This guide is designed to give you all the info you need to tackle the Clouds Rest hike and enjoy the adventure. You will meet your Lasting Adventures Guide here. If you spend 2 hours resting, that's 10 hours. Once the trail began turning east forest thinned out quite a bit. Trailhead: Sunrise Lakes. Clouds Rest Elevation: 9,926 feet (3,025 meters) Elevation Gain: 1,775 feet (540 meters) The red line marks the Clouds Rest trail, and the blue line marks the fork that leads you to the Sunrise Lakes (and just beyond them, though it's not shown, the Sunrise High Sierra Camp). Bend is a MUST visit for anyone who loves to spend time adventuring in the outdoors. Hiking Clouds Rest is a big undertaking, but most people will do it as a day hike. Her iconic and immense towers of glacially cut granite shock the mind and senses mind into awe and humility. Not really. Although the Half Dome hike typically gets all the attention, hiking Clouds Rest actually takes you to a higher summit that offers a panoramic vista which includes an unbeatable view of Half Dome itself. What to Bring on Your Clouds Rest Day Hike – The essential packing list for the Clouds Rest hike. The first mile and a half of the trail went through a wooded forest with several large granite boulders strewn about to give it character. After another steep uphill, you’ll get a little break on a flat stretch, then face one more steep climb up to the base of the granite formation that you’ll scramble up. You start on the desert floor and climb to 10,804 feet. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. I started […], Sedona – Boynton Canyon Trail Date: June 11, 2019 Miles: 6.32 Elevation Gain: 685 ft Start Time: 10:55 am Duration: 2:55 hours I arrived at the trailhead after completing the Bear Mountain hike earlier in the morning. TL;DR Clouds Rest is a wonderful day hike if you’re looking for something long (14.5mi) with rewarding views of the valley and Half Dome at 9,931 ft. Start early to beat the heat during the summer. 7 Tips to Hiking and Summitting Your First Fourteener Mountain, California backpacking permit process for popular trails and campsites, 31 Best Gifts for RV Owners | Whether they’re living life on the road full-time or just taking lots of road trips, nomadic RV owners can seem hard to shop for. If you’re looking for specific information, feel free to skip ahead to the section you’re looking for! 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