Make sure you do your homework before heading out on this adventure. Drive just a couple miles north or south to enjoy the sunset at either Olmsted Point or Tenaya Lake, two of the most beautiful spots along the Tioga Road.

We actually prefer the view with Clouds Rest in front and Half Dome beside. Pushkar S OpenMapTiles OSM 18. If you make it back before dark, don't linger too long at the trailhead. Crest the top of Clouds Rest mountain and see an incredible view of Yosemite Valley before you. Happy Isles to Clouds Rest RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult 5.0 (8) Areas CA High Sierra Yosemite National Park Yosemite Valley Plan with onX Backcountry Hike to Clouds Rest from the Yosemite Valley. Once you reach the junction of the Sunrise Lakes Trail, the climbing is finally over and it's less than three miles downhill back to your vehicle. From here it's a two mile descent back to the JMT before seven miles of moderate climbing and flat trail through burn areas of the JMT and Forsyth Trail. Head up the cables to check that amazing experience off the bucket list! Take some time to relax and refuel on the Half Dome summit while basking in the beauty of this spot and what you have just accomplished. After taking hundreds of pictures on Clouds Rest, hike four miles down to the JMT where you will soon take the Half Dome Trail 2.5 miles up to the base of the cables. From the trailhead, hike seven miles up the Clouds Rest Trail first thing in the morning for the most awe inspiring summit view I have ever experienced. Get an early start and drive the Tioga Road to the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead in the dark, trying to arrive before sunrise. The 'younger' brother of the world famous Half Dome, Clouds Rest is in fact a solid 1,000 feet taller despite receiving significantly less attention. This hike is far less crowded than Half Dome and doesn't require permits for day hiking. The trail starts at 8,150' and the summits 'only' top out at 9,926' ( Clouds Rest) and 8,839' ( Half Dome), but twice you'll fall to below 7,000' on the JMT between the peaks. Enjoy incredible panoramic views of Yosemite Valley. Unlike typical mountain summit hikes where it's climb climb climb to the top and then descend, this will be a day of constant up and down switching from ascent to descent. Clouds Rest hike Clouds Rest hike stats Distance: 12.7 miles (20.5km) Elevation: 4860ft (920m) Time taken: 5 hours 45 Type of trail: out and back The Clouds Rest hike is one of the hardest in Yosemite for a few reasons. Start and end this loop from the Sunrise Lakes TH along the Tioga Road, and in between you'll travel over 26 miles through Yosemite's backcountry gaining and losing over 7,000 feet in elevation. No overnight gear or shuttle necessary- just a light daypack and a fresh set of legs! Take on this epic all day hike to the summit of Yosemite Valley's two most iconic peaks.

Yosemite valley to clouds rest