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Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes

Mariposa · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 39/100 · Moderateout and back#viewpoint#yosemite#sunrise#half-dome-views
Distance
17.4 mi
Total gain
5,884 ft
Net gain
919 ft
Net loss
919 ft
Elevation
7,277–9,747 ft
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Clouds Rest is the best view in Yosemite: a knife-edge granite summit that looks straight across at Half Dome's face — from above. The backpacking route climbs 8.7 miles from the Sunrise trailhead at Tenaya Lake past the Sunrise Lakes to the 9,926-foot summit, a quieter overnight alternative to the valley's crowded trails.

Highlights

  • The only place where Half Dome's flat face sits below your feet
  • Sunrise and sunset from a 1,000-foot sheer drop on both sides
  • Swimming in the Sunrise Lakes on the approach
  • Tenaya Lake's granite shoreline at the trailhead

How hard is Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes?

CaliPeaks rates this route 39/100 (Moderate). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 5,884 ft puts this trip at 49% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 17.4 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 9,747 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 2 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Sunrise Trailhead (Tenaya Lake) (8,150 ft) · parking: Tenaya Lake trailhead parking off Tioga Road (Hwy 120)
  • Water: Sunrise Lakes and Tenaya Creek; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Tuolumne Meadows store is 20 minutes by car.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Yosemite National Park (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on nps.gov
  • Quota: Sunrise Lakes trailhead quota applies; 60% reservable 24 weeks out, 40% seven days out.
  • Reservation window: Lottery-based advance reservations; remaining quota releases weekly.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Campfires are prohibited above 9,600 ft in Yosemite, which covers the summit area; lower down, fires are allowed only in existing rings and never during fire restrictions. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: Typically snow-free by mid-July; Tioga Road opens late May or June.

Heat: Warm on the open ridge; the summit is exposed.

Bugs: Mosquitoes around Sunrise Lakes into July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The summit ridge is narrow and exposed — keep your head in high wind or snow
  • Fires are banned above 9,600 feet, which includes the summit area
  • Bear canisters are required; the Sunrise area sees bear activity
  • The final climb is hot, dry, and unshaded — carry water

Map

Route track shown for reference only — navigate with map and compass. Track source: OpenStreetMap route relation 16759394 (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) (ODbL 1.0).

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. Wilderness Permits. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Year-round permit requirement, trailhead quotas, and reservation windows.
  2. Wilderness Regulations. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Campfire rules (existing rings below 9,600 ft only) and bear canister requirement.
  3. Clouds Rest Trail route relation 16759394. OpenStreetMap contributors. https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/16759394. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: ODbL 1.0. Route geometry; distance and elevation statistics computed from this track.
  4. SRTM90 elevation data. OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-07. Elevation enrichment for computed gain/loss statistics.