Clouds Rest Trail

Clouds Rest is the granite summit rising just northeast of Half Dome, and for hikers willing to put in a full day, it delivers a wider, higher payoff: a narrow rock spine you walk out onto with sheer drops on both sides and a 360-degree view over the entire high country. Unlike Half Dome, there's no cable route and no permit lottery to plan around — just distance, elevation, and exposure.

Getting There

Most hikers start from the Sunrise Trailhead near Tenaya Lake on Tioga Road, about 1.4 miles east of Olmsted Point. From there it's roughly 14.5 miles round trip with around 1,775 feet of elevation gain, though the rolling profile and a steep switchback climb early on make it feel harder than the numbers suggest. The trailhead sits at 8,150 feet; the summit tops out at 9,926 feet. A longer, far more demanding option climbs directly from Yosemite Valley via Happy Isles — about 20 miles round trip with just under 6,000 feet of gain, more often split into an overnight than pushed as a single day.

On the Summit

The final stretch narrows to a bare granite ridge with drop-offs on either side. No scrambling is required, but it's exposed enough that hikers uneasy with heights should think it through before committing. From the top, the view sweeps across Half Dome, Tenaya Canyon, El Capitan, and the Clark Range in one uninterrupted arc.

Season and Timing

The Tenaya Lake approach only works while Tioga Road is open, typically late May or June through October or November depending on snowpack. Budget 8 to 13 hours round trip depending on route and fitness, start early, and watch the sky — afternoon thunderstorms build fast at this elevation and there's no cover on the ridge.