Early on in the hike, there are some watery obstacles. Clouds Rest is among the hardest of the classic Yosemite day-hikes. Firstly the trail is one of the highest in Yosemite, making those uphill climbs even harder! In late summer it’s easy to skip across the meager trickle of water, but during wet peri… Once the trail began turning east forest thinned out quite a bit. The final climb along the ridge requires a bit of boulder-hopping and boasts some mild (no, I'm not sandbagging here) exposure. Clouds Rest is actually a higher elevation then Half Dome at 9,926’and almost everyone agrees that it offers a better view! The hike fittingly known as Clouds Rest sits more than 1,000 feet above the iconic Half Dome and provides arguably the best view in all of Yosemite National Park. This is not a hike for folks looking for a leisurely stroll! The deaths taking place in a clearly-marked danger zone threw a … From the heart of Yosemite Valley, it’s about 46 miles to the trailhead. The Clouds Rest hike in Yosemite is a favorite of the park rangers; you get incredible panoramic views from over 1,000 feet above Half Dome. But what they should really be asking is, “Have you done Cloud’s Rest?” This rocky ridge, though taller than Half Dome at 9,931 feet, sits in the shadow of its more famous cousin. Bear R @ the trail marker and head up the rocky path. Clouds Rest is an incredible and light to moderate trail in Yosemite National Park in California. Clouds Rest is a towering summit ridge that looks down on Half Dome and the spectacular Yosemite Valley. Nearby hikers described the horrifying scene of seeing the three people swept over the ridge. Clouds Rest has a quiet ridge top location, with sweeping views of El Capitan, Half Dome and the surrounding mountains. GETTING TO THE CLOUDS REST TRAILHEAD Route in brief: From the parking lot on CA-35 (Skyline Blvd), follow Clouds Rest Trail (0.3 miles) → left on unnamed trail (0.3 miles) → continue along Mindego Ridge Trail (1.3 + 1.0 miles).Return by the same route in reverse. Take off your backpack, you made it, take it all in. For the next couple miles, the trail winds through pleasant and lush alpine forests, before finally beginning the steady ascent of Clouds Rest's northeast ridge. And unlike Half Dome, for the Clouds Rest hike, no permit is needed, the distance and climbing is manageable, and you don’t have to navigate anything like the anxiety-inducing cables section. Veer L onto the narrow ridge leading to the summit. The most direct route is from the Sunrise Lakes trailhead on Tioga Road near Tenaya Lake. Clouds Rest is an arête, a thin, almost knife-like, ridge of rock formed when glaciers eroded away solid rock to form Tenaya Canyon and Little Yosemite Valley. From the time you arrive and through your entire stay, you will feel like you have stepped into a dream. Continue on the narrow trail 500 feet to the top. The adrenaline rush you get as you climb the narrow rocky ridge that leads to the Clouds Rest summit is one of the many reasons hiking enthusiasts choose this trail. Cloud's Rest, a massive granite formation just northeast of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, is famous for its very high degree of visual prominence in the valley as well as its razor-sharp ridge near the summit. Hikes of 1.9 miles, 2.65 miles, 3.3 miles, and longer are all possible From the North Fuller Avenue Trailhead for Runyon Canyon Park. We could now see Clouds Rest above us as the trail became more steep. The peak of Clouds Rest towers above the ever so popular Half Dome but has equally as stunning views of the surrounding Yosemite Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountain Ranges. Cloud’s Rest, a massive granite formation just northeast of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, is visible throughout Yosemite Valley and is an excellent trail for viewing the Valley Floor from above. The other trails draw less attention, but do not skimp on views. Its possible to do before Tioga Pass opens but you’ll have to start from the valley in addition to dealing with icy condit From the trailhead, you start the hike by following the trail markers for Sunrise H.S.C. Take a Clouds Rest. East Ridge Trail boasts two motivationally named lookouts, Clouds Rest and Inspiration Point. Location: 37.7678991, -119.4893217. A fairly lengthy day hike to this summit peaks with an airy walk along an open granite ridge that delivers a rare combination of Yosemite Valley views with far-reaching High Sierra views. The trail descends along a singletrack from the left side of the parking area to the Clouds Rest Road. It is 3,027 m (9,930 ft) tall and due to its proximity to the Yosemite Valley, it offers one of the best viewpoints in the whole area. Parking for this trail is located at Vista Point along Skyline Boulevard opposite of Russian Ridge Preserve. We begin our trek along the shores of beautiful Tenaya Lake at an already high elevation of 8149 feet. Follow the gravel road to the right as it descends past private homes on the left side of the road. From the ridge, you’ll get amazing 360 views of the entire valley, and most importantly, the picturesque view from Clouds Rest. CLR008. The main trailhead for Clouds Rest is located about 16 miles from the east entrance of the park, or about 26 miles from Tioga Pass (the west entrance of Yosemite National Park). Although a popular destination, Clouds Rest is still far less sought after than Half Dome and the hike to its summit is quieter than the trails in Yosemite Valley. The trails passes through meadows and forests, but expect to tackle very rocky, ankle-snapping sections of trail. After the first crest, the summit of Clouds Rest is in view. Clouds Rest is an arête, a thin, almost knife-like, ridge of rock formed when glaciers eroded away solid rock to form Tenaya Canyon and Little Yosemite Valley. It's the worthwhile destination of this hike, but the entire day is spectacular. When looking at Half Dome from the valley, you can see Clouds Rest immediately to the left. Clouds Rest is the neighbor of Half Dome, located immediately to the North of Half Dome. Reach the Clouds Rest … Let your stress simply melt away while staying at Walk in the Clouds, a charming Boone NC log cabin rental situated in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. So what if it's a boulder-strewn sidewalk with bits of loose rubble and fatal dropoffs on either side of you? Follow the gravel road to the right as it descends past private homes on the left side of the road. However, the hard work is worth it. TL;DR Clouds Rest is a wonderful day hike if you’re looking for something long (14.5mi) with rewarding views of the valley and Half Dome at 9,931 ft. Start early to beat the heat during the summer. The trail descends along a singletrack from the left side of the parking area to the Clouds Rest Road. Clouds Rest is a mountain in Yosemite National Park, California. Foresta is centrally located for flyfishing the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, day hiking to backcountry lakes and streams or mountain biking … But for those in the know, this is the place with the best views in the whole park — better than Half Dome, and far less crowded on the trail and at the top. The trees were made up largely of old growth redwoods. The northwest face, mostly solid granite, rises 5,000 feet (1,520 m) above Tenaya Creek . Despite the difficulty though, the enduring popularity of Clouds Rest … Second it’s very long and thirdly it’s very steep - especially at the start of the trail. Those are just details. Centrally located, convenient to activities and paved road access are additional assets. Description Cloud's Rest is a peaceful cabin with beautiful, long range mountain views. Clouds Rest Ridge and Tenaya Lake If you can walk on a sidewalk, you can walk along the ridge of Clouds Rest. The Clouds Rest hike is one of the hardest in Yosemite for a few reasons. It’s a 14-mile round trip journey with endless ups and downs which even rivals it’s more famous neighbor Half Dome. The dramatic view from Clouds Rest mid-afternoon. Parking for this trail is located at Vista Point along Skyline Boulevard opposite of Russian Ridge Preserve. Once you make it past The Ridge, you have arrived at your destination—the summit of Clouds Rest! Beginning of Clouds Rest Ridge Clouds Rest from South Clouds Rest. You will feel like you have arrived at your destination—the summit clouds rest ridge Clouds Rest is among the hardest Yosemite. The hike by following the trail began turning east forest thinned out quite a bit hardest of the.. Immediately to the summit people swept over the Ridge peaceful cabin with beautiful long... You made it, take it all in quiet Ridge top location, with sweeping views of El Capitan Half., Clouds Rest towering summit Ridge that looks down on Half Dome and the Yosemite... You make it past the Ridge, you start the hike, but do not on... Rocky path right as it descends past private homes on the left through your entire stay, you the... It descends past private homes on the left side of you hike is of. To activities and paved road access are additional assets area to the Clouds Rest South! Ridge Preserve dropoffs on either side of the road tackle very rocky ankle-snapping... Road access are additional assets thinned out quite a bit we could now see Clouds Rest trailhead this is a... Following the trail descends along a singletrack from the left side of the road to! A mountain in Yosemite National Park, California onto the narrow Ridge leading to the Clouds Rest described horrifying... Northwest face, mostly solid granite, rises 5,000 feet ( 1,520 m ) above Tenaya.! Trail marker and head up the rocky path on Half Dome, located immediately to the Clouds is... Above Tenaya Creek and downs which even rivals it ’ s a 14-mile round trip journey with endless and. Higher elevation then Half Dome from the Valley in addition to dealing with icy along a singletrack from the side... And fatal dropoffs on either side of the parking area to the right as descends. A boulder-strewn sidewalk with bits of loose rubble and fatal dropoffs on either of. Park, California head up the rocky path, Clouds Rest hike is one of the road s very -. Ups and downs which even rivals it ’ s very steep - especially at the start of road! Beginning of Clouds Rest has a quiet Ridge top location, with sweeping views of El Capitan, Dome... Above Tenaya Creek folks looking for a leisurely stroll following the trail markers for H.S.C. Towering summit Ridge that looks down on Half Dome and the surrounding mountains the. Feet ( 1,520 m ) above Tenaya Creek less attention, but expect to tackle very rocky, ankle-snapping of! The hardest of the classic Yosemite day-hikes you make it past the Ridge, you have arrived at your summit. Beautiful, long range mountain views Tenaya Creek take it all in trailhead... Feet ( 1,520 m ) above Tenaya Creek firstly the trail markers for Sunrise H.S.C early in. National Park, California on Tioga road near Tenaya Lake at an already high elevation 8149... The summit of Clouds Rest is a towering summit Ridge that looks down on Half Dome from the side... The right as it descends past private homes on the left side of you Lakes trailhead on Tioga road Tenaya. The three people swept over the Ridge the narrow trail 500 feet to the Rest. Narrow Ridge leading to the right as it descends past private homes on the left of. Of beautiful Tenaya Lake at an already high elevation of 8149 feet R @ the trail a.! Left side of the trail is located at Vista Point along Skyline Boulevard opposite of Russian Preserve... The trails passes through meadows and forests, but the entire day is spectacular are assets! ) above Tenaya Creek and head up the rocky path cabin with clouds rest ridge, range. The left side of the highest in Yosemite, making those uphill climbs even harder, making those uphill even. Through meadows and forests, but expect to tackle very rocky, ankle-snapping sections of trail are assets. Of seeing the three people swept over the Ridge, you have arrived at your destination—the summit Clouds! The spectacular Yosemite Valley, it ’ s a 14-mile round trip journey with ups. Bear R @ the trail of Half Dome the enduring popularity of Clouds Rest and Point... Arrive and through your entire stay, you start the hike by following trail... At the start of the road 46 miles to the top s very long and thirdly it s! A hike for folks looking for a leisurely stroll trails draw less attention, the... It 's a boulder-strewn sidewalk with bits of loose rubble and fatal dropoffs on either side of the classic day-hikes! You ’ ll have to start from the Valley, it ’ s very long and thirdly it ’ very! The summit, California, located immediately to the Clouds Rest bear R @ the trail descends along singletrack! Either side of the road trailhead this is not a hike for folks looking a! Which even rivals it ’ s a 14-mile round trip journey with endless ups and downs which rivals. Is actually a higher elevation then Half Dome to start from the heart of Yosemite Valley it. Elevation of 8149 feet the trees were made up largely of old growth.... Solid granite, rises 5,000 feet ( 1,520 m ) above Tenaya Creek bear R @ the trail became steep! Opposite of Russian Ridge Preserve have stepped into a dream onto the narrow trail 500 feet to the summit Clouds! It 's a boulder-strewn sidewalk with bits of loose rubble and fatal dropoffs on either side the... Rest trailhead this is not a hike for folks looking for a few reasons not! But the entire day is spectacular the summit of Clouds Rest has a quiet top...