

A 0.25-mile detour delivers you to Lower Sunrise Lake for a bracing swim (or a soothing foot bath). Tip: On your return, hang a right at the Clouds Rest/Sunrise trail junction. Instead of the iconic vertical face of the sliced-in-half granite block, you see its distinct diving-board profile.
Clouds rest trail head plus#
Adrenaline kicks in on the final summit ascent as you climb a series of granite “pancakes” that mark Clouds Rest’s precipitously narrow ridge.įamous landmarks fill the head-swiveling view: Tenaya Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Mount Hoffman, the Clark Range, plus a fascinating angle on Half Dome. Keep the faith-the grade eases up at the Clouds Rest/Sunrise trail junction at 2.8 miles. The first 1.8 miles follow a moderate grade, but the next mile gains a butt-kicking 1,000 feet in brutal switchbacks. Permits are able to be reserved up to 24 weeks in advance and up until 4 days beforehand. While some can be done as a day hike, a permit is required if you plan on doing a multi-day trip. This is one of Yosemite's many backpacking routes. Start at the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead just west of Tenaya Lake. This trail begins in Tuolumne Meadows and follows the John Muir Trail to Clouds Rest and down to the Mist Trail, ending in Yosemite Valley. We’re not judging you.) You’ll burn a lot of calories on this 14.4-mile round-trip, so stuff your pack with snacks. You don’t need a permit, either-just fill up your day-pack and go. And boy does it deliver! Yosemite's Clouds Rest sits at 9,926 feet, 1,000 feet higher than Half Dome’s top and offers a bigger panorama. And with over 40 unique trips catering to small or large groups, private tours and custom-designed itineraries, we’ll help you create an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.With a name like Clouds Rest you expect this hike to rise pretty darn high. Our expert-led and fully-inclusive tours provide an experience of exceptional quality in any adventure you choose to discover. For those looking for the thrill of exploration without sleeping under the stars, our popular lodge-based hiking tours feature outstanding hikes to incredible destinations by day and comfortable lodge accommodations each evening. Basecamping trips explore beautiful backcountry, but return to a comfortable, well-appointed camp each night. Backpacking trips offer the ultimate adventure and the opportunity to experience maximum solitude in more remote locations. Generally considered a challenging route. The face is more than a mile wide so there are potentially many more. Head out on this 13.5-mile out-and-back trail near Yosemite Valley, California. Routes have been climbed since the 60s, but I personally only know of one 'established' route. Although roughly north facing, it gets sun in the summer. Choose from a wide selection of hiking tours in: Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls, Yosemite, Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands & Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Long routes up the huge 3000 ft slabby face of Clouds Rest. However, summiting Half Dome is not required and the views from Sub Dome are also spectacular! Those choosing not to summit can wait at Sub Dome and enjoy the sights until the rest of the group returns.įour Season Guides offers guided hiking tours and backpacking adventures across the incredible landscapes of the American Southwest. You can make a reservation (required) at any tour desk for a one-way ticket on the Glacier Point Tour (), then hike down. At the top of Nevada Fall, the trail joins the Mist and John Muir Trails to Happy Isles. It is extremely exposed and steep and those with a fear of heights will NOT enjoy it. The trail crosses Illilouette Fall after 2 miles (3.2 km) and continues partially uphill along the Panorama Cliff. *Notes about climbing Half Dome- The Cable Route is not for everyone. From here we will continue on the historic John Muir Trail to the Little Yosemite Valley and the Merced River for our last night.ĭistance/Elevation: 9 miles, 2000 foot ascent/ 2500 foot descent After resting and soaking in the views, we will retrace our steps back to camp. This is a truly remarkable location to spend some time. Enjoy the 360 degree panorama stretching from El Capitan to the colorful Clark Range and everything in between. From here, we will begin our climb up The Cables where you will gain the final 400 feet to the top of Half Dome. We will break at Sub Dome, catch our breaths, and enjoy a snack. The trail is steep and demanding but the views in the early morning are unforgettable.

We will take in views of Basket Dome, North Dome and Clouds Rest as we work our way up to Sub Dome and the base of the cables. With a very early start, we will have breakfast and then begin our trek towards the Half Dome summit, leaving our big packs back at camp so we can travel up and down Half Dome with just the necessities in small day packs.
