Clouds Rest in Yosemite National Park, CA

Hike Clouds Rest Yosemite National Park, CA

Class 1 12.6 miles 3200 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Aug 6, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Clouds Rest offers a gorgeous viewpoint within Yosemite National Park, overlooking Half Dome and Yosemite Valley. While it's often reached from Yosemite Valley, I approached from Tuolumne Meadows, starting at the Sunrise Lakes Parking Lot near Tenaya Lake. I set out from the trailhead for what was initially a mostly forested and fairly flat hike. After some walking, the trees parted briefly, and I caught my first glimpse of Clouds Rest, which didn’t look like much yet from this vantage point.

I reached the first notable uphill section, where the trail quickly gains elevation through tight switchbacks. The trail was well-constructed, with occasional built-in stairs. On the way up, the views back toward the domes within Tuolumne Meadows and Tuolumne Peak/Mount Hoffman were stunning. At the top of the first uphill, the trail met a junction with the Sunrise Lakes Trail, but I continued south. The trail dipped briefly, descending past a cute pond and down to a creek crossing. From there, I continued uphill again to another trail junction and went straight.

The forest began to clear, offering views of the peaks to the south and a glimpse of Clouds Rest ahead. The trail ascended out of the trees and followed the exposed granite ridgeline along the northeast side of Clouds Rest. The ridge is quite narrow for an official NPS trail, with a sheer drop to the north, but no scrambling was required. Those unaccustomed to this kind of exposure might find this section a bit nerve-wracking, which I gathered from a conversation I overheard at the summit. Apparently, you can bypass the northeast ridge via a wrap-around trail to the south, though the main ridge trail is perfectly safe and has amazing views. The overlook into Yosemite Valley and of the iconic Half Dome are unmatched from the summit.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Clouds Rest
9930 ft
834 rise

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A little meadow shortly after leaving the trailhead.
A little meadow shortly after leaving the trailhead.
After hiking through the woods, my first view of Clouds Rest seen ahead, right of center.
After hiking through the woods, my first view of Clouds Rest seen ahead, right of center.
Lots of forest walking, relatively flat.
Lots of forest walking, relatively flat.
View down as I start the first notable uphill section.
View down as I start the first notable uphill section.
Well-constructed trail.
Well-constructed trail.
Another shot back, Tuolumne Meadows below.
Another shot back, Tuolumne Meadows below.
Gaining elevation along the trail.
Gaining elevation along the trail.
I reached a saddle, where the trail dips down.
I reached a saddle, where the trail dips down.
Descending for a while, a false summit of Clouds Rest seen ahead.
Descending for a while, a false summit of Clouds Rest seen ahead.
More woods walking.
More woods walking.
Passing by a cute pond.
Passing by a cute pond.
View back at the pond.
View back at the pond.
I ascended to a junction, keeping straight.
I ascended to a junction, keeping straight.
More ascending, Clouds Rest becoming visible again.
More ascending, Clouds Rest becoming visible again.
Along the northeast ridge of Clouds Rest.
Along the northeast ridge of Clouds Rest.
Another short dip to reach the base of Clouds Rest.
Another short dip to reach the base of Clouds Rest.
Approaching the bare rock of Clouds Rest.
Approaching the bare rock of Clouds Rest.
View back as I ascend.
View back as I ascend.
Clouds Rest summit ahead.
Clouds Rest summit ahead.
Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.
Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.
Close-up toward Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.
Close-up toward Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.
Mount Clark to the south.
Mount Clark to the south.
A view down into Yosemite Valley from Clouds Rest.
A view down into Yosemite Valley from Clouds Rest.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!