Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

Explorer

Kevin Abernethy

Explorer

Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

11/16/16

This is one of the best trails in Yosemite, and it has much less traffic compared to other trails. I've camped at the Sunrise Lakes several times, and I usually have the surrounding area all to myself. Half Dome get's all the attention but the views at Cloud's Rest are PHENOMENAL. I definitely recommend reaching the summit for a beautiful sunrise! You can actually submit for a permit to Half Dome and hit that on your way back to Yosemite Valley if you have time. Either way you cant go wrong with this back-country trip.

5.0

Explorer

Jonathon Reed

Explorer

Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

11/01/16

Met a lot of people day hiking to Cloud's Rest. Definitely recommend taking your time and making it into a bit of a trip. Sunrise Lakes is a beautiful detour and in the solitude of the High Sierra, you can't go wrong. The third (and farthest) lake is the most beautiful. Don't miss the granite ridge northwest of the lake. Connect with the landscape before (or after) you take in the majesty of Cloud's Rest.

5.0

Emily Noyd

Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

08/23/16

Don't forget your Wilderness permits if you're backpacking! Sunrise trailhead is notorious for out-of-bounds camping and hefty fines. A fantastic backpacking trip from Tioga to the Valley, then take the YARTS bus back to your car. Cloud's Rest is also a manageable day hike as a Half Dome alternative.

5.0

Brice Pollock

Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

06/21/16

Did a backpacking trip that took me to Sunrise Lakes and then Clouds Rest in 2013. Lots of people camp at Sunrise Lake so don't expect to be alone and also expect there might be some bear activity since its heavily used. Clouds Rest is one of my favorite views in the Sierra. Seeing those granite slabs fall into the valley 5,000 ft below while looking down on half dome was just awe-striking. I found it even more memorable than the half dome cables.

4.0

Jake Pfaffenroth

Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

03/03/16

Make it an overnight by camping north of Clouds Rest. There's a flat area off the trail with great view of sunset over Yosemite Valley. Bonus: you'll be the first ones on top of Clouds Rest the next morning, and you'll have it all you yourself. You'll need to carry all your water up with you, as there are no water sources up there. Make it a longer trip by taking the bus to Tuolumne Meadows and taking the John Muir trail toward Sunrise Lakes and then to Clouds Rest, and finally back down to the Valley via the Mist Trail

5.0

Jujhar Dhillon

Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

02/22/16

I completed this hike in the summer of 2014 with my uncle. We started the from lake tenaya around 6:30 am. The initial part of the hike involves a fair bit of elevation gain of around 1000 feet. There were also a lot of mosquitos during this part but as you gain elevation they begin to disappear. The trail then flattens out for a bit and then another portion of elevation gain begins. The ascent to the summit gave me a bit of vertigo because of the shear drops of thousands of feet on each side but I felt safe the whole time. The summit itself has spectacular views of Yosemite as a whole. The descent down to Yosemite valley was also beautiful and you get great views of the back side of half dome. Numerous waterfalls are also on the way down as well. Overall we finished the hike around 4 pm.

4.0

Gabriela Hurtado

Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

09/04/15

My mates and I did this back in July! What a great experience! We actually started in Tuolumne Meadows on the John Muir Trail. The first night we stopped at Cathedral Lake and didn't quite make it to Sunrise Lakes the first day. We stopped to setup camp in a meadow that had fire circles set up by previous backpackers. I think it was about 3 miles before reaching Sunrise Lakes. The next day we set off to Sunrise Lakes and it was absolutely amazing! The water was cold, but a much needed refreshment. Most of this hike is up hill and with elevation gain, so we definitely took a slower pace. We set up camp right before the big incline to Clouds Rest. The third day we set out to Clouds Rest. The incline to Clouds Rest is not long at all, but it was tough for me (this was my first multi day backpacking trip). The view from the top is so stunning and definitely worth all the sweat in my eyes. We continued on to Little Yosemite Valley from Clouds Rest. There weren't many hikers on the trail to Clouds Rest, but once we got to Clouds Rest there were quite a few day hikers coming from Little Yosemite Valley. One the way down to Little Yosemite Valley, we saw a lot of day hikers going to Half Dome. Definitely recommend mosquito repellent on this hike and/or a mosquito net. Stay hydrated since you sweat a lot and are breathing heavier at the higher elevation. We had lots of Shot Bloks to replenish electrolytes and energy.