Veer L onto the narrow ridge leading to the summit. During the ascent, look west to see the backside of Cloud’s Rest.īear R the trail marker and head up the rocky path. Here, the trail is very wide and the growth between trees sparse. The trail gradually ascends for a bit then takes a moderate climb to the ridge. The trail from here climbs for a short distance through an evergreen forest.īear R 3-way junction. (It runs yearlong, representing a possible water source). From here, the trail loses about 300 feet of that hard-fought elevation.Ĭross a small creek. Leave the Sunrise Trail and follow the trail sign to Clouds Rest. Spur option: Turn left and walk 400 feet through trees to picturesque Tenaya Lake.ĭuring the next mile, climb 1,000 feet up switchbacks with granite steps and cobblestones.īear R Y-junction. Continue on the shady, worn trail that is lined with large granite boulders. No water is available at the trailhead except Tenaya Lake.īear R Y-junction. Trail FactsĪt the Sunrise Trailhead, hike south on a paved path. CA-120/Tioga Road is a seasonal road that closes in November and reopens on May 21. After 30.8 miles, follow the road east to Sunrise Trailhead on the south end of Tenaya Lake. After 0.7 miles, turn right onto CA-120 and continue for 40 miles. At 1.7 miles, make a slight left to stay on Kelley Grade/Marshes Flat Road and continue for 2.2 miles. TO TRAILHEAD: From Groveland, CA, head northeast on Kelley Grade/Marshes Flat Road. MORE INFO: Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-020 nps.gov/yose/ Soak it all in and then backtrack to the trailhead. Even better: you’ll likely be looking down on Half Dome (8,836 ft.). 360-degree views stretch for hundreds of miles. All the glacier-carved wonder of Little Yosemite Valley and the surrounding peaks unfolds at the top of Clouds Rest (9,926 ft.). Hug the eastern edge of the mountainside and muscle your way through the 500-foot climb to the summit.

The back end of Cloud’s Rest appears to the west. 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.įive miles in, the route steadily ascends to a ridgeline. Don’t worry about throngs of summit-hungry hikers: Clouds Rest lacks the crowds that nearby Half Dome attracts. Then, let the climbing begin.įrom here on, you’ll gain nearly 1,500 feet over 4.5 miles and climb, literally, into the clouds. Hop on the Sunrise Trail for a flat, 1.6-mile warm-up to the glittering azure of Sunrise Lakes. Be careful not to sprain your shutter finger at Tenaya Lake, a beautiful, crystal-blue tarn gouged by glaciers eons ago. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!įew 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.

Yosemite valley to clouds rest