clouds rest permit

​Most hikers start their journey with temperatures floating around 60-degree Fahrenheit and are caught off-guard when it’s 80 degrees or warmer by noon. Obtain your Half Dome permit as part of your wilderness permit. Five miles in, the route steadily ascends to a ridgeline. Another potential camping location is on the Cloud’s Rest Trail, a flat section located before the final ascent to the peak. Water, at last! The trailhead at Tioga Road is the most popular and well-used route to reach the peak of Cloud’s Rest, but there are other avenues to reach those lofty peaks. In this guide, we will be covering the following: A trip to California offers plenty to see and do, but only one required destination–Yosemite National Park. Expect daytime temperatures to shoot close to 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. A good pair of shoes or boots is absolutely necessary on this hike. For people interested in camping outside of Yosemite, there are a couple of established campgrounds near the Tioga Pass entrance of the park (not far from the Cloud’s Rest trailhead). The back end of Cloud's Rest appears to the west. There aren’t opportunities to refill on this hike. Much of the trail is in full sun and on a hot, scorching day, the heat pounding down on you takes a toll quickly. Registration includes: Guided backpacking trip, park entry (as needed), bear-proof canister rental, Yosemite Wilderness permit, and tent camping at shared group sites before and after the trip. Be mindful of these creatures. Catching sight of Bridal Falls ranks up there with taking in all that El Capitan has to offer, but when it comes to feet-on-the-ground action and experiences, Cloud’s Rest takes the prize. Keep trying for permits - I’ve submitted permits every week for two months straight in an attempt to land a Friday Clouds Rest permit. For Clouds Rest, you need a permit for Sunrise Lakes, and we highly recommend reserving this one, as it’s a very popular route. Climbing along evergreen stands, isolated, alpine lakes and the eroding curvature of Tenaya Canyon, you may begin to feel you're the only person left in the world. My favorite is a Tilley wide-brim hat. Yosemite website: "Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are required seven days per week when the cables are up, even for backpackers with wilderness permits. Get a personalized trip. u/taylorfranta. The hike up to Clouds Rest is a difficult yet rewarding one. These can be exceptionally difficult to obtain, so plan your trip as far out as you can to ensure you receive one. All Rights Reserved, Sunrise Lakes Trailhead, Tioga Pass Rd, Lee Vining, CA 93541, People have been evacuated on this hike because of altitude sickness, my guide to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, hiking tricks and tips that I’ve learned over the years, what hiking gear works and what gear doesn’t, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Hikes, please erase and block them using your web browser. West-facing views offer gorgeously unobstructed lines of sight to Half Dome and throughout the valley floor. Had salami/cheese/tortilla for dinner. It's a much better view and far less people. Summit both Half Dome and Clouds Rest on this guided backpacking trip! I am aware this will not be possible with the snow and that Tioga Rd will not be open. more less ; See more on Google » Plan your trip to Yosemite National Park. (This is a temporary change in 2020.) Near the peak, there is a vertigo-inducing section of trail that demands focus and caution. This is not a hike for folks looking for a leisurely stroll! Don't worry about throngs of summit-hungry hikers: Clouds Rest lacks the crowds that nearby Half Dome attracts. However, Half Dome was included in my backcountry permit. Cloud’s Rest is best done during the summer (typically June through October). My last hike in Yosemite was in April almost ten years ago; my planning consisted of little more than booking some accommodation and purchasing a map. Pair that sucker with a wet bandana around your neck, and it’ll feel cool and breezy. Do you have any updates to the hiking trail or want to share your hike/pictures? If you’re in the Half Dome area and have a backcountry permit, you can tackle this 20-mile beast. The best camping spot with views of Half Dome was already taken, I settled for another nice spot with a fire pit and a cut off tree I could use as a counter to put stuff on. Early on in the hike, there are some watery obstacles. This is not generally recommended for anybody except experienced hikers with more than a few miles under their belt. At about 2.5 miles, you'll reach an intersection with the Sunrise Lakes Trail that heads off to the east. Walk Up Permits/Clouds Rest. 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. Video and Turn by Turn Directions for the Clouds Rest Hike, Gear Recommendations and What to Expect on the Hike. A complete day by day itinerary based on your preferences. A wilderness permit is not required for day hikes (unless hiking to Half Dome) or for staying in lodging facilities and frontcountry campgrounds. But rather than fight through throngs of people visiting Half Dome and the views of Horsetail Falls, get your feet a’movin’ and challenge yourself to Cloud’s Rest. This hike is an all-day adventure for most people, so read on for more planning and logistic details for this epic Yosemite hiking trail. The hike clocks in at about 6.2 miles from trailhead to peak. Look no further because the Clouds Rest hike is described by many as the best hike in Yosemite National Park. Do not apply for a separate day hikers' permit. Not only is it highly functional, but it also looks pretty damn good too. There are washrooms and bear boxes there, however, the lot itself often fills up quickly. It is east of Half Dome and south of Olmstead Point; while you’re in Yosemite, take a hike up Olmstead Point to get an incredible view of Cloud’s Rest. Hikers enjoy (or suffer through) 1,775 feet of elevation gain in a location where weather turns faster than a chihuahua chasing its tail. Did this on 10/7/20, unfortunately heavy creek fire smoke obscured the ascent to GP, El Cap invisible, clearer air when reaching Nevada Falls junction. Most trails are well-marked. Geography. This is Yosemite glacial geology at its finest. Its hair-raising ridgeline is called an arête, a rock ridge separating two valleys typically formed by glaciers. 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. Clouds Rest, one of John Muir’s favourite peaks, offers spectacular views over Half Dome and numerous Yosemite peaks. National Geographic has an, GoPro recording of the Cloud’s Rest ascent, PDF version is of Yosemite’s trail system, Fewer crowds means more moments of solitude, Incredible 360° view of Yosemite National Park, Off the beaten path makes it more difficult to access. Cloud's Rest: No permit required no brainer day hike - See 64 traveler reviews, 91 candid photos, and great deals for Yosemite National Park, CA, at Tripadvisor. If the lot is full, you can park on the side of the road in a safe location. Distance: 14.5 miles (23.3 km) round trip Trailhead Elevation: 8,150 feet (2,450 meters) Elevation Gain: 1,775 feet (540 meters) Don’t leave food in your car at the parking lot or road side unless you want a bear opening it up like a tin can to find that pack of cupcakes you forgot. Spread out over more than five miles, this isn’t so bad, right? Sunscreen is essential to bring, and a good hat does wonders for keeping you cool. Follow the Half Dome trail until about two miles from the summit. You are never hanging, jumping, or inching along a ledge or cliff edge. Sixty percent of reservations are available 24 weeks in advance; the remaining 40 percent are available two weeks in advance. Most of the shuttles are located around the visitors center of the park. Clouds Rest Hike Description To start the Clouds Rest hike, drive up to Tioga Road and park at the westernmost side of Tenaya Lake. Make sure you park safely and responsibly, and always adhere to all parking signage! The trailhead is off of Tioga Road near the west end of Tenaya Lake. This hike is far less crowded than Half Dome and doesn't require permits for day hiking. Dogs aren’t permitted on the Cloud’s Rest trail. Cloud’s Rest earned its name from the Mariposa Battalion, a mid-19th century California militia. Don’t look around at the horizon. 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. I wear the Helios by La Sportiva for all of my outdoor adventures; I like a light, flexible shoe that offers mobility, even if my feet would be sore from a steep descent. The most common route to the top is an out-and-back trail, 6-miles one way making for a 12-mile round trip total. This is the home of bears and mountain lions, among other animals. Check out this detailed, picture-filled preview of the Tioga Road trail. All the maps and trail guides talk about Half Dome. Luckily permits are not required to day hike Cloud’s Rest, but any overnight trips require a backcountry permit. Clouds Rest doesn´t require permit, trail is quite easy and picturesque and view from Clouds Rest is in my opinion best from all of Yosemite. Yosemite Valley to Clouds Rest. The Little Yosemite Valley backpackers campground is located to the west of Cloud’s Rest and offers a different approach to the peak (read about this below in Best Routes). I encourage you to watch the 360 video (link below) so you can look down and get an idea of what it’s like. As a result, these are great hike alternatives if you are unable to obtain permits to hike to the top of Half Dome. A few minutes later I found the Clouds Rest Junction, which has a water stream running nearby. Clouds Rest Pros. Posted by. Archived. If you know about this hidden gem however, you're in luck. If you plan to backpack and camp in the wilderness area around Clouds Rest, an overnight permit is required though. 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. No Permit Required; Better Views; Less Exposed Trail-there are cables to grasp, and no frightened hikers to hold up the line; Far fewer people on the trail to Clouds Rest-great for Introverts! These are two of the most spectacular and famous peaks in Yosemite National Park. Edit: if you want to do an overnight (and get a permit), staying at the top of Clouds Rest is doable and an amazing sunrise/sunset. This is a hike primarily accessible to hikers with access to personal vehicles to reach and park at the trailhead. Cue the sad trombone. Wilderness permits are only issued to a limited number people for each trailhead in order to provide outstanding opportunities for solitude, as required by the Wilderness Act. I’ve crawled when winds were 30mph up here. Yes, even better than hiking Half Dome. The trails passes through meadows and forests, but expect to tackle very rocky, ankle-snapping sections of trail. Brace yourself for a seriously intense hike. For this reason alone, Clouds Rest should join your permit application lineup. The highest peak in Yosemite is Mount Lyell which stands at 13,114 feet, whereas Clouds Rest stands at 5,000 feet. It’s really a beautiful hike. Like much of Yosemite, Cloud’s Rest is composed primarily of granite. A bonus to hiking in via the Sunrise Lake trail is you can hike the Clouds Rest trail (which requires no permit), and gives you incredible views of Half Dome. Most folks opt for this trail because it is well-marked, is easily accessible, and offers the quintessential Cloud’s Rest experience. Discovery Treks guided backpacking tour to Clouds Rest is typically a 4 day adventure with 2 days of backpacking to get to our base camp before we begin the hike to summit Clouds rest. Featured. Clouds Rest is formed almost entirely out of granite and is one of many peaks in Yosemite National Park, although it is not as well known as others, it is regarded to have the best scenery and view of Yosemite, due to its closeness to the valley. 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. ​This hike is no joke. Seriously, a fall off of this would result in a pile of broken bones and worse at the bottom. The nearby parking is a bonus. If you missed out on snagging a Half Dome permit and are looking for a great alternative hike, then the Clouds Rest trail is a great choice. Read our guide on dispersed camping for other ideas. In modern times, the only death on Clouds Rest was in 2009, when a woman fell from the summit, not the spine. Prefer an already-printed map? However, Half Dome needs a permit which has to be obtained via a lottery. By distance alone, it deters many from attempting Cloud’s Rest. Additional parking can be found in the pullouts located several hundred meters on either side of the lot itself. The trailhead sits at 8,150 feet, and the peak scrapes the sky at 9,926 feet. I have backcountry permits from Cathedral Lakes to Happy Isles for the night of June 15th. The trail offers up everything that makes for a good hike: switchbacks, rocky trails, and ridgelines to traverse, all complete with sweeping views of Half Dome and beyond. The entire hike has an elevation change of about 1,775 feet. Half Dome Pros. The “spine” section of exposed trail over granite is roughly the last 0.3 miles of the hike to Clouds Rest. 2 years ago. Optional Side trip: Clouds Rest Trail. Turn back immediately if you see storms approaching because there’s little cover to protect yourself from the elements. At this point, you’ll spot signs for Cloud’s Rest trail. From Clouds Rest's airy and cozy summit, the most undeniable natural feature is the Northwest Face, a stunning 5000-foot drop into Tenaya Canyon. Hikers report Cloud’s Rest takes between five to twelve hours to complete, based on fitness levels and the frequency/duration of breaks. I used my plastic spork to cut the salami and it worked well enough. What’s interesting is the elevation profile of this hike. Pace yourself accordingly and be mindful of weather forecasts. This demanding route is off the beaten path and avoids tourists and hikers clogging up the trails. Clouds Rest is a mountain in Yosemite National Park east northeast of Yosemite Village, California. Clouds Rest is the largest exposed piece of granite on Earth. Total 360. Activities: Photography, hiking to summit of Half Dome or Clouds Rest, fishing Half Dome Permits. MyOpenCountry is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We have a few items we think are extra important to bring with you to Cloud’s Rest. Where: Tuolumne Meadows Campground (orientation), Sunrise Trailhead to Clouds Rest and Yosemite Valley (backpack). Permits: Required for all overnight backpacking trips. In late summer it’s easy to skip across the meager trickle of water, but during wet peri… Behold: an endless mid-angle slab climb of truly epic proportions! Well, brace yourself; a single mile of the hike eats up 1,000 feet of that elevation change. WHAT WE WILL COVER IN THIS GUIDE: … Obtaining these permits can be difficult and requires a lot of forethought before your trip. At a minimum you’re going to want to review a map, but to get the most from a hike up Cloud’s Rest you’ll want to use every resource you’ve got available. Sunrise Lakes –> Clouds Rest –> Little Yosemite Valley –> Happy Isles; After faxing in my reservation request (if you’re not familiar with the permit requirements, visit here, we were lucky to get permits starting at May Lake, but without Half-Dome permits. Customize it. When it comes to classic Yosemite peaks, Half Dome gets all the attention. For the most part, the trail to Clouds Rest follows the Half Dome Trail, and then splits about 1.5 miles before the Half Dome summit. If it’s very windy, it can be a little nervy. It is a razor-thin segment. My Yosemite Backpacking Trip Recommendation. It only takes a little forewarning to prepare for the unexpected when climbing Cloud’s Rest. Getting there requires the road being open and accessible (hence summertime hiking); it’s about thirty miles to reach the trailhead from Crane Flat to the west, and about fifteen miles to reach the trailhead from Yosemite National Park’s eastern entrance at Tioga Pass. Clouds Rest ... As of 2020, you don't need a permit to hike to Clouds Rest from that side. October 9, 2020. We decided to do this hike because – well, we love Yosemite. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Permits and reservations: No permits are required for hiking up to Clouds Rest or to the top of the Lembert Dome. For the spirited hiker, Yosemite is about as close to heaven as we’re going to get. I would (anecdotally) say that the trail never is really less than 5′ wide, which is wider than the main. If you experience fear, just go a few steps at a time, pause, look ahead for the trail, and continue. From that side of Cloud 's Rest appears to the hiking trail or want to share hike/pictures! Storm Clouds plenty of snow on the way back down twelve hours to complete based! Email, and the peak scrapes the sky at 9,926 feet i know, you ’ ve got... 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