Sunrise Lakes Trailhead

Sunrise Lakes Trailhead sits at the west end of Tenaya Lake along Tioga Road, and it launches two very different day trips: a solid but manageable hike to a chain of glacier-carved alpine lakes, or a long, committing push to the summit of Clouds Rest, one of the best panoramic viewpoints in Yosemite.

Two Trails, One Trailhead

The Sunrise Lakes route runs 10.4 miles round-trip with about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, usually a 6 to 8 hour day. The trail climbs through lodgepole pine forest to the string of Sunrise Lakes and passes near Sunrise High Sierra Camp, which needs its own reservation if you plan to stay there overnight.

The Clouds Rest route is a full day: 14 miles round-trip, 2,300 feet of elevation gain, 8 to 10 hours. The reward is a 9,926-foot summit with 360-degree views across Tenaya Canyon, Yosemite Valley, and the high Sierra. The final stretch narrows to a bare granite ridgeline — stay off it during thunderstorms or when the rock is wet.

Before You Go

• Tioga Road, and this trailhead, is open seasonally — typically late spring through October or November, depending on snowpack.
• Pets and bicycles are not permitted on either trail.
• Overnight parking at the trailhead ends October 15.
• Bear-proof food storage and vault toilets are available at the trailhead; overnight camping beyond a day hike requires a wilderness permit.