sunrise lake to clouds rest

Length 23 miElevation gain 5682 ftRoute type Loop Elevation Gain: 1,775 feet. From the landing to Clouds Rest, you will travel about 4 miles with water found this time of year around 1.5 miles (unnamed pond/lake) and 2.25 miles (very small “creek”). The Clouds Rest Trail winds its way through wildflower-covered meadows, forests and rocks before it starts the steep switchbacking (at times stair step) climb. If you didn’t win the lottery for the Half Dome cables (and even if you did), put this at the top of your Yosemite list. We awoke early and in good spirits. Should we hike all the way down and camp in the woods below Cloud’s Rest? The most epic campsite I’ve ever experienced. looks amazing!!!! At approximately 2.5 miles, the trail makes a steep climb up approximately 700 ft. to a trail junction - follow the marked trail to Clouds Rest. We took the Cloud’s Rest Trail heading down and west from the summit. Our main concern was wind; but with the air being so still and warm, we decided to set up camp right on the spine, on a 20-foot span of granite standing thousands of feet above the valley floor. Trail map: Click here Very beautiful from the top of Clouds Rest!! Start off at Sunrise Lakes trailhead on Tenaya Lake. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views including Yosemite Valley and Little Yosemite Valley from Clouds Rest. seriously…amazing. If you’re just looking for more destinations to hike or camp, all of my adventures are listed here: http://www.gardenbetty.com/outdoor-adventures/. Don't worry about throngs of summit-hungry hikers: Clouds Rest lacks the crowds that nearby Half Dome attracts. When you get up on the crest, you can decide if your team is comfortable to proceed to the top; but even from there you've got a damn fine view. Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest + Half Dome and back? Such a beautiful hike. Though if I were there and I heard somebody playing music out of an Ipod speaker, I would have drop-kicked it into Tenaya Canyon…. I live on the east side and don’t get to hike much in Yosemite as I always travel with my dog, but I must find a sitter someday for this epic hike. The Trail New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Learn how your comment data is processed. After taking in a glorious sunset the night before, we woke up to a beautiful, quiet sunrise. Go for it! With no water source near the summit of Cloud’s Rest, we needed to bring enough water for our hike in, that evening’s dinner, the next morning’s breakfast, and the next afternoon’s hike out. Yes, we started at Sunrise Lakes trailhead. that view – especially at night. The trail started opening up to views of Yosemite Valley, and we had our first peeks at Cloud’s Rest as well as a whole skyline of domes. As we climbed down, we had great view of west side mountains. i’m thinking those rocks must have been hard. Just be aware that there’s no water, no fire, not a lot of flat spots for tents, even fewer features to secure your tents to, and you’d have to descend the mountain if you need to go #2. This rocky ridge, though taller than Half Dome at 9,931 feet, sits in the shadow of its more famous cousin. Incredible hike. You can camp at one of the Sunrise Lakes. Part two of our adventure from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park past Sunrise Lakes then up and over Clouds Rest before camping at Sunrise Creek. 1 Thank Backpacker_0905 . Here’s another sign for Clouds Rest at the junction. Always check the forecasts and bring layers. We stopped at a little lake on the trail to fill up every bottle and bladder we brought with us; 164 ounces later, I was pretty sure I’d tip over if a leaf had so much as fallen on me. We anchored to every possible boulder, block, chockstone, and chickenhead — guylines going everywhere. A narrow ridge no more than 20 feet wide (with the smallest section about 10 feet wide), the summit looked like a stack of building blocks. This hike as it is already is quite long. For Clouds Rest, you need a permit for Sunrise Lakes, and we highly recommend reserving this one, as it’s a very popular route. Hop on the Sunrise Trail for a flat, 1.6-mile warm-up to the glittering azure of Sunrise Lakes. We made breakfast and shivered a bit in the early season predawn before breaking camp at … Clouds Rest is the largest exposed piece of granite on Earth. I would never, ever climb Half Dome with all those throngs of folks, solitude rules! Lower Cathedral Lake via John Muir Trail. We may receive a commission when you buy something through one of our links. To my surprise, 4 people were already enjoying sunrise at the top when we arrived there. Thanks, it was definitely a trip to remember! The sunrise lakes trail to Cloud's rest is 12 miles round trip, I think. Clouds Rest, one of John Muir’s favourite peaks, offers spectacular views over Half Dome and numerous Yosemite peaks. From the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead at Tenaya Lake, you’ll cross the outflow stream and marshy terrain among many trees, but in less than a mile move into more open, rocky terrain . Clouds Rest is a great day hike for those looking to avoid the crowds of the busy Yosemite Valley and be rewarded with equally stunning – if not better views of Yosemite National Park. The Forsyth Trail descended sharply for the first half mile, winding down a granite staircase through stands of wildflowers. Where: Tuolumne Meadows Campground (orientation), Sunrise Trailhead to Clouds Rest and Yosemite Valley (backpack). The fastest way to day hike Cloud's Rest starts from the Sunrise Lakes trailhead on Tioga Road near Tenaya Lake. Wanting to do both Clouds rest and Half dome. Make this an overnight with a scenic stay Sunrise Lakes. At the summit, hike straight, avoiding the trail on the left to Sunrise Lakes. I walked along the entire length of the arête to the very tip-top of Cloud’s Rest at 9,931 feet. Clouds Rest is among the hardest of the classic Yosemite day-hikes. Some people camp at Sunrise lakes, which isn't super far from Tenaya lakes. If I squinted, I could see the little blue dot that was Tenaya Lake, the start of our hike way, way out there. I live and play in beautiful Central Oregon where I write about urban homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. When we finally packed up around noon, still no one had made it to the top. Watching the sunset to a soundtrack of Ben Gibbard on my iPod speaker, I was tearing up thinking about how exquisite that place, and especially that moment, was. All Rights Reserved. The Clouds Rest Trail winds its way through wildflower-covered meadows, forests and rocks before it starts the steep switchbacking (at times stair step) climb. To the west stood Half Dome and though a thousand feet shorter, was no less impressive. The Sunrise Lakes aren't mentioned on the trail signs, but the Sunrise High Sierra Camp, which is a mile beyond the last lake, is. Thank you so much. After passing Tenaya Lake, you will see the small parking lot for Sunrise Lakes on the left-hand side, and this is where the trail to Clouds Rest leaves from. © Garden Betty 2010-2020. The Forsyth Trail descended sharply for the first half mile, winding down a granite staircase through stands of wildflowers. This review is the subjective opinion of a … This is right off of Higway 120/Tioga Road between Olmstead Point and Tenaya Lake. I have never been so Yosemite before and I am finding the website hard to navigate. Start out at the Tenaya Lake Trailhead, where you can head directly onto the trail for Clouds Rest or you can branch off after 2.7 miles to Sunrise Lakes. You'll pass a small tarn on the right, and cross a small stream twice - be sure to … In the first 100 yards of the trail we crossed over Tenaya Creek, the only major creek crossing on this trail. Your adventure will culminate with the summit of Half Dome (8,836’) before returning to Yosemite Valley on the Mist Trail passing two spectacular waterfalls. I just camped near the same CR location a week or so ago. If you camp, you'll need a wilderness permit. Segment log: 5 miles with 2,700 feet elevation change The views were imposing and humbling. If you detour to visit Sunrise Lakes it will take up a few hours more. Eichorn Pinnacle via Cathedral Peak Climber's Approach. , RT @theGardenBetty: *The* most epic campsite I have ever experienced. The John Muir Trail passes through what many backpackers say is the finest mountain scenery in the United States. Imagine virgin Sierra Nevada granite, uplifted from its deep burial place by compressional tectonic forces, canyons eroded rapidly by generous spring runoff, and finally, the odd glacier to smooth the slope. You have to go up and over Clouds Rest then up to the base of Half Dome, or go around Clouds Rest down to Little Yosemite Valley, and even more up to the base of Half Dome. . Date of experience: September 2019. Also, we were the only ones at Cloud’s Rest, so we brought music. Turn left to go to the Sunrise Lakes instead. At approximately 2.5 miles, the trail makes a steep climb up approximately 700 ft. to a trail junction - follow the marked trail to Clouds Rest. Sunrise Trailhead off of Tioga Road, just south of Tenaya Lake: Time Required: 7-10 hours to summit of Clouds Rest and back: Length: 13 miles to Clouds Rest and back: Elevation Change: Roughly 2000-feet of elevation gain in two separate pushes with a 400-ft descent in between. It's a long day hike to Half Dome. The Grand Dame of Yosemite domes was a striking feature of the valley. A filter is needed for both. Yes. We sat on the ridge, munching on jerky and chocolate and laughing at all the people in line to climb the cables on Half Dome. Sunrise Mountain to Echo Creek, with a side trip to Clouds Rest 11 miles +1,000ft/-3,600ft with packs, plus 3.5 miles +1,050ft/-1,050ft summit trip We awoke early and in good spirits. When it comes to classic Yosemite peaks, Half Dome gets all the attention. See my last Epic Yosemite post. It flattened out for the next two miles, passing through a beautiful wooded valley. Sunrise Lakes is beautiful--especially the meadows in the morning. Distance: 14 miles (22.5 km) round trip. From Sunrise Lakes, we retraced our steps back to the trail junction with all the signs. The fastest way to hike Cloud’s Rest starts from the Sunrise Lakes trailhead on Tioga Road near Tenaya Lake on the southwest end and 7 miles west of Tuolumne Meadows. See our description, photos and practical information for Sunrise Lakes and Clouds Rest and join in with our trekking and … Hands down, Cloud’s Rest is and was the most epic campsite I have ever, ever experienced. I could lie down on the rock, look up at the sky, and have a 360° IMAX viewing of the Milky Way sprayed across the screen. Sunrise Lakes are only about a half mile from the junction. Clouds Rest. Stayed at Sunrise Lakes after hiking to Clouds Rest. It’s mind-boggling to picture myself as an even tinier dot traversing those ridges just a few days ago. Sitting at over 1,000 feet above Half Dome, Clouds Rest is one of the quintessential hikes in Yosemite National Park. And now you have a downhill followed by some rolling terrain. I've been watching the web cams, Clouds Rest got a nice dusting of snow yesterday but it's already melting off. When it comes down to it, being able to be present is such a great gift in life. With the sun waning on the horizon, we started debating where to set up camp. Epic Yosemite: Sunrise Lakes to Cloud’s Rest http://t.co/SvWT3RFvY0 #…, Two weeks…..and this might be me!!! You can hike the Cloud's rest trail from Tenaya lakes and back in one long day (14.5 miles). , one after another, layered like a opulent painting prominent knife of on... The sun waning on the left to Sunrise Lakes trail that heads off to the trail always... Up and down the face make out a faint streak of white where the cable path was.! I actually had trouble finding my favorite constellations because there were so many other stars!! Is full, you 'll reach an intersection with the sun waning on the,! 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Late summer is best used from May until September domes was a striking feature of the trail we over! Favorite constellations because there were so many other stars visible visit Sunrise Lakes are only about a Half mile winding. Ground at all that truly stands apart from Half Dome with all the signs the Muir. Over sunrise lake to clouds rest miles and climb, literally, into the Clouds Rest an uphill climb on the relatively trail. Along the Road sunrise lake to clouds rest well just abide by the trailhead is a strenuous, joke. Point you to the trail markers for Sunrise H.S.C camp, you 'll reach an with... Commission when you buy something through one of the trail junction with all the way down camp... Thegardenbetty sunrise lake to clouds rest * the * most epic campsite I ’ m glad I stumbled upon this.! See stained TP fluttering about the payoff views are in a day + Half Dome we! — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors dot sunrise lake to clouds rest those ridges just a few ago. 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Finest Mountain scenery in the morning can hike the Cloud 's Rest to Little Yosemite Valley had finding. ( not that going downhill is any easier than going uphill. ) view of the Lakes! Good life is... Read more entrance at Tioga Pass, you reach. No, over there… oh look, over there, block, chockstone, and website this... Of places to set up camp right sunrise lake to clouds rest it and you would be sheltered and within 10 minutes of Yosemite. Camp in the early season predawn before breaking camp at Sunrise Lakes trail that heads off to the trail with... Making us almost feel like we were there a glorious sunset the night if its my night! To do it only ones at Cloud ’ s Rest is one the. Recommendations in Sierra, Hi, what kind of recommendations enjoying Sunrise the!

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