Towering 1,000 feet above the summit of the iconic Half Dome, Clouds Rest is the tallest feature surrounding Yosemite Valley. While it isn’t as visually shocking as Half Dome or El Capitan and isn’t nearly as famous, the hike to the summit of Clouds Rest is one of the absolute best hikes in Yosemite National Park! Plus, isn’t Clouds Rest just an awesome name for a mountain!?
Starting from the higher elevations along Tioga Road far above Yosemite Valley, this trail will take you through subalpine forest as you cross country, ford streams, and summit an incredible granite peak. The view from the summit is arguably Yosemite’s best, and the approach to the summit up Clouds Rest’s legendary ridge will make this a truly memorable day on the trail!
Miles/Elevation:
13.4 miles
3,130 feet vertical gain
About Yosemite National Park:
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in the entire National Park System.
Steeped in history, Yosemite has played a major role in the development of environmentalism and conservation in the United States since the late 1800’s. In 1864, President Lincoln created the Yosemite Grant, which did not make Yosemite a national park, but did set the precedent that would lead to the creation of Yellowstone National Park.
Yosemite was ceded to the State of California and ran by the state for much of the late 1800’s. Eventually, in 1890, Yosemite National Park was created, and stronger protections were put in place to preserve the park.
Beyond the National Park Service, the legendary naturalist John Muir is perhaps best known for his advocacy in favor of preserving Yosemite National Park. A giant in the history of conservation, Muir, who fell in love with the mountains after a serious industrial accident, became arguably the most influential figure in preserving the natural landscapes of the west. His relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt and the expansion of federally protected lands may be the greatest achievement of this era of conservation!
Getting To Yosemite:
Located in Central California, Yosemite is fairly remote, but can be reached from a number of major cities. The closest large city is Fresno, and Fresno’s airport is the best choice if you are flying in. Other cities located within a three hour or so drive with major airports include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Sacramento.
From these cities or any others, you’ll then likely need to drive to the park. There is a regional public transit system called YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit System), and can be useful if you are trying to get to Yosemite Valley. However, I generally advocate having your own car when exploring the mountains. It just makes it easier to explore and get around.
Once you’re in Yosemite, there is a transit system that can get you around the park, however it is not running in 2021. Go to the Yosemite NPS website for more information on public transit in Yosemite. When it is running, the public transit can get you to many of the major trailheads in the park.
Getting To The Clouds Rest Trailhead:
From wherever you are in Yosemite, you will need to get to Tioga Road, the highway which traverses the park from east to west. From the valley, this is easy. Leave the valley on El Portal Road, then veer right onto Big Oak Flat Road. From there, continue until you reach the intersection with Tioga. From Wawona, drive to Yosemite Valley and then head towards Tioga. From the desert along highway 395, head towards Lee Vining and turn onto highway 120.
The main trailhead for summiting Clouds Rest is the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead. From the west (including from Yosemite Valley) continue 30 miles until you reach the trailhead parking area just before passing Tenaya Lake. From the east, continue past Tuolumne Meadows until you reach Tenaya Lake. Turn left into the parking area just past Tenaya Lake.
There is no fee to park at the trailhead; however, you will always need to pay an entrance fee, and must have a day use reservation to enter Yosemite during peak season.
Tips:
- Don’t be fooled by the moderate elevation from trailhead to summit. There is at least 500 feet of climbing on the hike back to the trailhead and lots of undulation on the hike.
- The mosquitoes here are notoriously bad. Bring bug spray, wear long sleeves and pants, or bring netting.
- Parking is limited and this can be a busy trailhead. Arrive early if you can.
- Reevaluate if you are deathly afraid of heights.
The Clouds Rest Trail:
The Easy Start:
From the trailhead, the hike first heads into the trees and then quickly takes you onto a boardwalk over meadows that frequently flood in spring. Within a minute however, you will encounter the first obstacle of the hike: the crossing of Tenaya Creek.
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Here just downstream from Tenaya Lake, Tenaya Creek is closer to a river than a babbling brook. The flow is really slow, but it is probably 50 feet or more across. There is a series of well placed stones across the creek for hikers, and when the water is low, they make for a really simple crossing. However, I have done this hike in late July and had ankle deep water even when using the stones, so be aware that you could get wet feet depending on the year!
Once across Tenaya Creek, turn right to follow the creek bank as the water heads downhill. The trail for the mile and a quarter or so is mostly flat with very moderate elevation gains and losses, and it really is an easy start. There isn’t much to look at, but it goes quickly.
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
Before long, the trail will veer to the left and begin climbing slightly. At first the climbing is very gradual, but it will increase over time. There are a pair of water crossings over nameless creeks, and once across the second, the character of the trail changes from nice packed dirt to rocky and granite strewn. Here, the first climb begins!
The First Climb:
You’ll have been a bit of climbing before the gain really kicks in, and once the trail turns to granite stairs and loose gravel, you’ll know it has begun!
The climb isn’t actually that steep, and going up the rough terrain isn’t too bad. Coming down it will be worse though!
Yosemite is bear country so make sure you’re bear safe!
There isn’t too much to say about the climb apart from the rough trail. There will be some very nice views behind you of some stunning Yosemite peaks, so be sure to stop and take a look behind you from time to time.
Always follow basic trail etiquette when you’re hiking!
From bottom to top the climb is almost exactly 1,000 vertical feet, and once you are close, the terrain will change. The trail will return to being a nice packed dirt path, and you will reenter thicker pine forest after being pretty exposed on the hillside.
Soon after you reach the shaded and smooth trail, you will crest this first climb of the day. Atop the climb, there is a large flat area with some nice shady places to sit, and to me this is a great first place to take a rest break. There is also a trail junction up here. Going left takes you towards the Sunrise Lakes and the Sunrise High Sierra Camp. When you’re ready, continue straight towards Clouds Rest!
The Middle:
From the top of the first climb, you’ll immediately begin a 500-600 foot descent down the far side of the hill. On this descent, you’ll have pretty clear views of where you’re eventually headed, the summit of Clouds Rest!
The trail down into this valley is a bit rocky and can go slow, but it’s not overly steep, and before long you will be on a pretty nice, smooth, trail. To the left, the summit of Sunrise Mountain looms high above, and in front of you are beautiful Sierra Nevada forests and meadows!
This middle section of the hike follows a gently undulating trail towards Clouds Rest, and you’ll have varying uphill and downhill hiking. The climbing and descending is never steep, and it makes for pleasant and quick hiking.
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The low point of this middle part of the hike is an easy creek crossing, and once across the creek, you will begin ascending. Continue climbing until you reach the final intersection of the day. A left turn here would eventually take you to Half Dome, Little Yosemite Valley, and Yosemite Valley itself. This is a popular backpacking route, and you will likely see a bunch of backpackers in this area. But to head to the summit, continue straight!
The Climb To Clouds Rest:
Once you pass the final intersection you will be climbing through sparse alpine forest. That means that the views are largely unobstructed, and you’ll have lots of interesting things to look at as you ascend!
After a quick 300 vertical feet of climbing, the trail will again level off. You will be able to see the summit ridge of Clouds Rest from here, and you will have looks out over the Yosemite high country to the east. Continue hiking along the now sandy trail.
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After half a mile of mostly flat hiking you will reach the base of the summit ridge. Clouds Rest’s summit ridge is one of the iconic features of Yosemite, and while it isn’t quite as extreme as a climb of Half Dome, it looks just as cool when you’re on it!
The Mirror Lake Trail is a fantastic easy hike in Yosemite Valley!
Follow the trail up to the granite summit ridge, and once there you have a choice of route. There is a use trail on the left side of the ridge that will largely keep you off of the most exposed and narrow ledges. However, you may also choose to follow the true spine of the ridge along the granite. That’s what I did as it definitely gives the true alpine experience, and the views are the best in my opinion!
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Many people say not to even attempt this hike if you have a fear of heights. I get it. Looking down on either side there is a drop of thousands of vertical feet, and if you fell, you 100% would be dead within seconds. That’s certainly spooky, but honestly this ridge isn’t all that exposed. The ridge is always at least 5 feet wide, so while yes it looks super intimidating, it isn’t really that bad.
Continue along the ridge until you reach the summit. Reaching the summit of a mountain is usually obvious (it’s the highest point) and this is no exception. The ridge does continue down the other side, but the true prize is the view from the top!
As you crest the summit, all of Yosemite Valley will emerge in front of you as it rises over the horizon of the mountain. Half Dome, one of the valley’s biggest features, is over 1,000 vertical feet below you! You can look down on it!
Really want a challenge? Try the Yosemite Grand Tour around Yosemite Valley!
The views of the valley are pretty wild, and you can even watch people climb Half Dome up the cables if you have binoculars or a strong zoom lens, but the looks over the valley aren’t the only great views.
To the east, the high peaks of Yosemite National Park dramatically rise out of the forest and create a violent spine in the high Sierra. There are some seriously wild peaks you can see from Clouds Rest!
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Plus, the views north from the summit are great too! Looking back over and down the summit ridge you will have great views towards Tenaya Lake where you started and the northern Yosemite wilderness. Literally every direction is an amazing view!
Hiking Out:
Whenever you make the decision to begin the hike back, return down the ridge the way you came. This hike is an out and back, so it’s a straightforward return trip along trails you’ve already traversed.
The descent down and off Clouds Rest is pretty straightforward, though you may have to pick your route carefully on the summit ridge and take it a little slow on the steeper sandy slopes.
Once in the middle section of the hike, you should be making good time. The climb up to the top of the first climb of the day is definitely a bummer (it feels way harder than I thought it would!) but in the grand scheme of things it’s a pretty minor climb.
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Honestly, the roughest part of this hike is probably the last two and a half miles or so. The final big descent is along a really rough and rocky trail which will slow you down, and then once onto the flat final mile and a half, it just seems to drag. There isn’t much to look at for the last mile and a half, so it’s tough to judge your progress!
Anyway, after a long day on the trail, you’ll eventually find yourself back at the trailhead. Definitely tired, but hopefully happy with the work you put in!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 10/10
This is one of the true classic hikes of Yosemite National Park. The terrain is classic Yosemite all the way. You have streams, forest, views, granite slabs, and big time verticality! While the bugs can be bad, the trail is rough, and there is a climb on the way back, the summit of Clouds Rest makes it all worth it.
Is this trail as good as Half Dome? Probably not, I think I would recommend doing Half Dome if you have the chance. But, hiking up the summit ridge of Clouds Rest as the views of Yosemite Valley slowly unfurl before you is truly a special experience!
It took me a long time to decide, but I am going to give this hike a 10/10 rating. There are moments when the trail is rough or the views are nothing much, but the highlights of this trail are amazing. The summit ridge of Clouds Rest is incredible, and probably makes this the second best hike in Yosemite.
And if it’s the second best hike in Yosemite just behind Half Dome, it sounds like a 10/10 to me!
Pros:
- Some of the best views you’ll ever find
- Amazing ridgewalk to the summit
- Opportunity to summit a major peak
- Tons of backpacking opportunities
Cons:
- Rough and rocky trail
- Climbing on hike out
- Bugs
Alternative Hikes:
The Upper Yosemite Falls Trail to Eagle Peak
When To Hike To Clouds Rest:
Hiking in Yosemite is a three season activity. Winter usually brings quite a bit of snow, and the entire park is liable to experience winter storms. While lower elevation areas of the park may be hikable in winter, Cathedral Lake’s cannot be hiked all year.
Purely in terms of weather, summer and fall are the best times of year to hike in Yosemite at high elevation. Summer can get hot, but at this elevation it shouldn’t be too bad. The one issue with fall is that fire season can either close down areas of the park, or more likely will blanket the park with smoke. In good years, it’s hardly an issue, but some years it’s harmful to even be outside.
It is also worth considering when Yosemite is busiest. This is one of the busiest parks in the country, so be ready for crowds if you visit in peak season, namely summer. Some people are really turned off by the crowds, and I agree if you only visit the valley, but Tuolumne usually isn’t too bad. This can cause issues with finding campsites in the park though.
Overall, I would say that early fall is the best time to visit the Yosemite high country. The temperatures are comfortable, rain is rare, and the crowds are lighter than summer. Early autumn is also a great time to visit as Tioga Road can be closed into July some years.
The last thing to consider when planning your visit is that the high elevation roads through the park close for snow. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road both close from winter to whenever the snow melts (usually May or June but it varies). Spring will limit where you can go in the park, so if you really want to explore the high country, wait at least until late June!
Links For Further Reading:
Clouds Rest Trail | Map, Guide – California | AllTrails
Yosemite Hikes: The Clouds Rest Trail
Clouds Rest Hike Guide – HikingGuy.com
Clouds Rest Trail: A Hiking Guide to One of Yosemite’s Best Viewpoints – California Through My Lens
Joe’s Guide to Yosemite National Park – Clouds Rest (via Sunrise Trailhead) Hiking Guide
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