Route Climbed: Up Northeast Ridge, down the South Slopes Date Climbed: July 2003
This was a surprise. We planned just a casual day if hiking up from Tenaya lake, then returning by the same route. We left at 11:00am in the morning and reached the summit by 1:30pm.
Then we got the bright idea to head down to the Valley in time to catch the 5:00pm shuttle. This meant a lot of downhill running, but we hit the shuttle at 4:20pm. So a total of 17 miles in 5.3 hours is a new record for us. Needless to say, the next day was spent lounging around the lake.
Route Climbed: Northeast Ridge Date Climbed: July 2002
I went with my two nephews and their friend. We had a blast! The summit has a 5 star view.
Matthew Holliman - Dec 13, 2002 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2002
Some of the best views in Yosemite
I've dayhiked this a couple of times from the valley. The first time (Sep 8, '02), I included both Half Dome and Clouds Rest out of Happy Isles, returning via Sunrise Creek. I enjoyed Clouds Rest more than Half Dome. The second time, I came back in early spring, 2004 (Mar 21, '04)--a very fun outing (although without Half Dome this time). Snow was patchy above 7000', with snowshoes needed by about 9000' or so. Views are absolutely breathtaking at this time of year. With the abundant snow and no cloud in sight, I pretty much cooked up there...
I came back yet another time to hike it from Tioga Road, this time on Aug 28, '05. After climbing Pettit and Volunteer the day before and trying to sleep in my car at the Mono Lake vista point (this didn't work too well--I got back too late for dinner and was too hungry to be able to sleep), I met up with a friend to introduce him to breakfast at the Whoa Nellie and the Yosemite high country. Clouds Rest seemed the best choice for an easy hike with fantastic summit views. Absolutely clear day with perfect views in all directions. This was my third or fourth visit to the peak, and the view still amazes me every time.
Route Climbed: Northeast Ridge Date Climbed: 8/15/02
Planned on a 3 day backpacking trip. Did the trip as a shuttle ride from the Valley to Tuolumne. Started at Tenaya Lake around 1pm. Reached summit with heavy packs at 6pm. Not great views due to the smoke from the parks fires. Still a great view. About 10 people were planing on spending the night on the summitt. We headed down to Sunrise Creek for a night full of bear visits. A canister is MANDATORY.
Route Climbed: Standard from Tenaya Lake trailhead Date Climbed: 9/16/2000
This is a very nice day hike. It has excellent views of the entire Yosemite valley and also offers 360 degree views of everything else, as well. Note, that it is a bit on the long side and there's a decent amount of climbing, so make sure you start early, have food/water, and are ready for a good workout.
The hike and the summit experience are great with very little crowds, just the right amount of folks to chat if you wish. The trail is initially a good climb from Tenaya lake as you definitely warm up with steep steps up. After this, it's mostly gentle climbing all the way up to the summit.
Since Cloud's Rest is actually a ridge line, the top can be pretty exhilirating as you climb the last 100 feet or so and look to drop-offs on either side of you going thousands of feet below! It's not very dangerous as the ridge is at least 10-15 ft wide in most spots, but especially since you're high up at over 10,000', the wind can make it very interesting :)
At the summit, there's actually a good bit of room to lie down, get out of the wind, and just enjoy the absolute quiet, listen to the wind, soak up the sun, and enjoy some snacks. Very pleasant experience, try it!
Route Climbed: N.W. Ridge from Tenaya Lake Date Climbed: Late Oct. 94
This was one of my most memorable wilderness trips! The Sierra had just recieved its first big snow storm of the winter a few days before our departure. A friend & myself had already taken the time off work, & the weather was supposed to be stable, but cool, so we decided to go for it! Needless to say a map & compass came in real handy on this trip. Our first night was spent on a granite bench 10ft. above the ground, which was free of snow & dry, near Sunrise Lakes. After two days of waddling in knee deep snow, we arrived on the summit of Clouds Rest. We found a fairly flat, but small place to pitch our tent, then preceeded to collect water & eat. After all the chores were done, we sat back & enjoyed the 360 degree views of the Yosemite high country. While watching an awesome sunset, we enjoyed a couple of stogies!
Route Climbed: Lollipop route: Ascend NE Ridge, descend SW Ridge via Sunrise Trailhead Date Climbed: September 19, 1999
A nice day hike to a smaller, less-crowded summit than Half Dome, but with splendid views of the valley. Beautiful weather and views the day I went. A trip report and photo gallery are available here. Don't forget to stop and view Clouds Rest from Olmstead Point on SR-120.
birdhead - Feb 4, 2004 1:23 am
Route Climbed: From Tuolumne Meadows Date Climbed: September 2001A nice easy hike with Scott and Gina. Great views of Half Dome for their first summit. That's tough to beat.
darinchadwick - Jul 31, 2003 1:22 am
Route Climbed: Up Northeast Ridge, down the South Slopes Date Climbed: July 2003This was a surprise. We planned just a casual day if hiking up from Tenaya lake, then returning by the same route. We left at 11:00am in the morning and reached the summit by 1:30pm.
Then we got the bright idea to head down to the Valley in time to catch the 5:00pm shuttle. This meant a lot of downhill running, but we hit the shuttle at 4:20pm. So a total of 17 miles in 5.3 hours is a new record for us. Needless to say, the next day was spent lounging around the lake.
Dave K - Jan 22, 2003 6:00 pm
Route Climbed: Northeast Ridge Date Climbed: July 2002I went with my two nephews and their friend. We had a blast! The summit has a 5 star view.
Matthew Holliman - Dec 13, 2002 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2002
Some of the best views in YosemiteI've dayhiked this a couple of times from the valley. The first time (Sep 8, '02), I included both Half Dome and Clouds Rest out of Happy Isles, returning via Sunrise Creek. I enjoyed Clouds Rest more than Half Dome. The second time, I came back in early spring, 2004 (Mar 21, '04)--a very fun outing (although without Half Dome this time). Snow was patchy above 7000', with snowshoes needed by about 9000' or so. Views are absolutely breathtaking at this time of year. With the abundant snow and no cloud in sight, I pretty much cooked up there...
I came back yet another time to hike it from Tioga Road, this time on Aug 28, '05. After climbing Pettit and Volunteer the day before and trying to sleep in my car at the Mono Lake vista point (this didn't work too well--I got back too late for dinner and was too hungry to be able to sleep), I met up with a friend to introduce him to breakfast at the Whoa Nellie and the Yosemite high country. Clouds Rest seemed the best choice for an easy hike with fantastic summit views. Absolutely clear day with perfect views in all directions. This was my third or fourth visit to the peak, and the view still amazes me every time.
kullaberg - Nov 28, 2002 9:48 am
Route Climbed: trail Date Climbed: aug 92backpacked from half dome over summit to tenaya lake. you are no longer allowed to camp on half dome summit.
Johnhl94563 - Nov 26, 2002 7:16 pm
Route Climbed: Northeast Ridge Date Climbed: 8/15/02Planned on a 3 day backpacking trip. Did the trip as a shuttle ride from the Valley to Tuolumne. Started at Tenaya Lake around 1pm. Reached summit with heavy packs at 6pm. Not great views due to the smoke from the parks fires. Still a great view. About 10 people were planing on spending the night on the summitt. We headed down to Sunrise Creek for a night full of bear visits. A canister is MANDATORY.
thenunz - Oct 29, 2002 1:03 pm
Route Climbed: Came over from Sunrise Lakes Date Climbed: 08/24/2002It was nice to look at Half Dome from the other direction for once. Tenaya Canyon is awesome from the top of this peak.
KWANZOR - Oct 17, 2002 4:19 pm
Route Climbed: trail Date Climbed: June 2001Good place to eat lunch
Joe Hanssen - Jul 29, 2002 6:33 pm
Route Climbed: Northeast Ridge Date Climbed: July 13 '02This is a good warm-up hike, could easily be a trail run. Hazy day, so the view from the top was not that impressive.
Shawn - Jan 19, 2002 10:44 am
Route Climbed: Standard from Tenaya Lake trailhead Date Climbed: 9/16/2000This is a very nice day hike. It has excellent views of the entire Yosemite valley and also offers 360 degree views of everything else, as well. Note, that it is a bit on the long side and there's a decent amount of climbing, so make sure you start early, have food/water, and are ready for a good workout.
The hike and the summit experience are great with very little crowds, just the right amount of folks to chat if you wish. The trail is initially a good climb from Tenaya lake as you definitely warm up with steep steps up. After this, it's mostly gentle climbing all the way up to the summit.
Since Cloud's Rest is actually a ridge line, the top can be pretty exhilirating as you climb the last 100 feet or so and look to drop-offs on either side of you going thousands of feet below! It's not very dangerous as the ridge is at least 10-15 ft wide in most spots, but especially since you're high up at over 10,000', the wind can make it very interesting :)
At the summit, there's actually a good bit of room to lie down, get out of the wind, and just enjoy the absolute quiet, listen to the wind, soak up the sun, and enjoy some snacks. Very pleasant experience, try it!
Elwood - Nov 3, 2001 8:32 am
Route Climbed: N.W. Ridge from Tenaya Lake Date Climbed: Late Oct. 94This was one of my most memorable wilderness trips! The Sierra had just recieved its first big snow storm of the winter a few days before our departure. A friend & myself had already taken the time off work, & the weather was supposed to be stable, but cool, so we decided to go for it! Needless to say a map & compass came in real handy on this trip. Our first night was spent on a granite bench 10ft. above the ground, which was free of snow & dry, near Sunrise Lakes. After two days of waddling in knee deep snow, we arrived on the summit of Clouds Rest. We found a fairly flat, but small place to pitch our tent, then preceeded to collect water & eat. After all the chores were done, we sat back & enjoyed the 360 degree views of the Yosemite high country. While watching an awesome sunset, we enjoyed a couple of stogies!
mconnell - Jul 17, 2001 12:13 pm
Route Climbed: Trail from Tenaya Lake Date Climbed: July 2001Really nice view. Walked up and back in 4.5 hours.
John - Jul 5, 2001 4:58 pm
Route Climbed: Lollipop route: Ascend NE Ridge, descend SW Ridge via Sunrise Trailhead Date Climbed: September 19, 1999A nice day hike to a smaller, less-crowded summit than Half Dome, but with splendid views of the valley. Beautiful weather and views the day I went. A trip report and photo gallery are available here. Don't forget to stop and view Clouds Rest from Olmstead Point on SR-120.
mpbro - Jul 3, 2001 3:20 pm
Route Climbed: NW ridge from Tenaya Lake Date Climbed: June 15, 2000Lots of folks, lots of mosquitoes, but this is a great outing regardless of mitigating circumstances.
trip report is here