Clouds Rest

<-Excelsior Mountain

Convict Canyon to Lake Dorothy->

The Hike: Immediately stay left before the pavement quickly ends and the trail approaches the outlet from Tenaya Lake. During most times of the year the creek is mostly or completely dry. However, if you do this hike shortly after the Tioga Pass Road opens you may have to wade across. After crossing the creek turn right to follow the trail as it parallels the creek to the southwest. Shortly, the trail leaves the side of the creek and turns to the south. At ~0.8 miles there is a nice view of Clouds Rest from just off of the trail to the southwest near a small rise. After this, the trail slightly descends into the trees to the southeast and crosses the creek coming from Mildred Lake before climbing and descending again to cross a couple of creeks coming down from the Sunrise Lakes. There are lots of wildflowers, especially Alpine lily, lining these sections of the trail. At ~1.7 miles the trail reaches the base of the steep climbing section. The trail passes through many small switchbacks as it makes its way to the south-southeast. Marmots can be seen basking on the rocks beside the trail and a nice view of Mt Hoffmann and Tuolumne Peak appears at ~2.0 miles to the north-northwest. This climb gains over 800' in ~0.75 miles. At ~2.5 miles, you'll reach the saddle and junction with the Sunrise Lakes Trail. You can head off-trail to the west to get a decent view of Clouds Rest. The trail continues south-southeast from the trail junction and steeply descends into some trees. The trail then rolls through a rock field before reaching a pond (~3.4 miles). Wildflowers surround the water in summer and hermit thrush can be heard singing in the trees nearby. Past the pond, the trail climbs slightly again before descending to cross a creek and continue climbing on the opposite side. Here again were some lush sections of the trail lined with wildflowers spread amongst the large boulders. At a large flat and mostly open area another trail junction is reached (~4.5 miles). The trail coming in from the left (southeast) leads down to Sunrise Creek and the John Muir Trail. Stay straight (southwest) and follow the trail as it begins to climb somewhat steeply again and turns to the northwest. Mt Clark can be seen to the southeast through the trees. The route that the USGS topo shows makes more sense but the actual trail seems to needlessly climb more before turning to the southwest at the ridge line (~5.1 miles). The trail passes through the trees and follows the ridge to the base of Clouds Rest and the final climb to the summit. You'll leave the trees behind about a third to half way up and then the main trail splits into multiple paths through the boulders. Look for a nice view of Tenaya Lake to the northeast. Keep right where a side-trail leads downhill around the east side of the peak to the left. Now the views really start to open up with Sawtooth Ridge, Mt Conness, and Tenaya Lake up-canyon, Half Dome and Yosemite Valley down-canyon, and the Merced River Canyon to the east. Watch out for Sierra primrose and buckwheat tucked between the large pancake-like boulders of granite. The narrow sections leading up to the summit really are not that bad, but some find the dramatic drop-off to either side unnerving. People tend to congregate at the summit, but there are plenty of fantastic places to find some personal space, sit down, and take in the views. Bring a pair of binoculars or a large camera lens to check out the ant line leading up to the summit of Half Dome or the people at Glacier Point or on top of Sentinel Dome. The Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan, and North Dome are also prominent features down-canyon. Cathedral Peak, Echo Peaks, Mt Dana, and Mt Lyell are a few of the features visible to the northeast, east, and southeast. Mt Hoffmann finishes off the view to the north. On clear days, the Central Valley and the foothills of the Coast Range can be seen in the distance too. There is a trail that leads down the south side of Clouds Rest to meet the Half Dome Trail for those looking to pass through to Yosemite Valley via Happy Isles. Otherwise, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.