Yosemite Cloud Rest Hike How Many Hours?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Rating: Strenuous day hike Time Required:

7-10 hours

to summit of Clouds Rest and back
Length: 13 miles to Clouds Rest and back Elevation Change: Roughly 2000-feet of elevation gain in two separate pushes with a 400-ft descent in between. Sunrise Trailhead: 8151′ Clouds Rest summit: 9931′

How difficult is Clouds Rest Trail?

Try this 14.0-mile out-and-back trail near Yosemite Valley, California.

Generally considered a challenging route

, it takes an average of 6 h 51 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, , and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Is Clouds Rest or Half Dome harder?

While both of these hikes are strenuous, they also provide incredible views of Yosemite National Park. If you're looking for a less crowded hike, Clouds Rest is for you; however, if you're looking to summit one of Yosemite's best known peaks, Half Dome is a better choice.

Can you see Half Dome from Clouds Rest?


Once on the summit of Clouds Rest, take in the expansive 360 degree views and look down on Half Dome

(your next destination).

Do I need a permit to hike Clouds Rest?

Permits: Required for all overnight backpacking trips. For Clouds Rest,

you need a permit for Sunrise Lakes

, and we highly recommend reserving this one, as it's a very popular route. You can apply to reserve a permit in advance online through the National Park Service (NPS).

Can you hike Clouds Rest in April?

Yes, YosemiteHikes is a favorite.

There is nothing like Half Dome or Clouds Rest in April

. (There's nothing like them in the summer either, but at least there are more extremely long hikes with great views in summer.) The early season backpacking in Yosemite is generally around Hetch Hetchy.

Can you backpack Clouds Rest?


You can take a day hike to Clouds Rest without a permit, or obtain a first-come, first-served backpacking permit at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center

. Permits go fast, however, so be sure to get there in the early hours of dawn for the best chance.

Is the Half Dome hike worth it?


Half Dome Trail is the most incredible and rewarding hike I have done to date

. From start to finish this hike is just the ultimate hike. I hiked in early October 2015 right before the Cables went down. It is an excellent time to go where obtaining a permit is much easier than in the summer time.

How long is the hike up Half Dome?

The

14- to 16-mile

round-trip hike to Half Dome is not for you if you're out of shape or unprepared. You will be gaining elevation (for a total of 4,800 feet) most of your way to the top of Half Dome.

Where is the rest of Half Dome?

Venue

Yosemite National Park
Address Half Dome Village Yosemite National Park Starts Fri Jul 21 2017, 7:00pm Ends Sun Jul 23 2017, 5:00pm

How do you climb down Half Dome cables?

Can you see Half Dome from Tenaya Lake?

Amazing.

Getting to see half dome and clouds rest on one hike

made this the best hike I have done.

Can I sleep in my car in Yosemite?

Within Yosemite National Park,

you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you're registered to stay in

(except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it's a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.

Where do you park to hike Clouds Rest?


After passing Tenaya Lake, you will see the small parking lot for Sunrise Lakes on the left-hand side

, and this is where the trail to Clouds Rest leaves from. If the lot is full, you can park along the road as well just abide by the signs.

Can you hike Clouds Rest in winter?

Best Views on the Clouds Rest Trail in Winter


The best viewpoint along this hike is from the summit of Clouds Rest but you can get some good views along the trail as well

. Nothing beats the 360-views that you will be rewarded with from the summit at 9,931 feet.

What is the best month to go to Yosemite?

The best times to visit Yosemite are

May and September

, when the park is accessible, but not too crowded. It's important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow.

Can you hike Yosemite in March?

Can I Hike in Yosemite in March?

Yes; you can hike in Yosemite in March

. During the winter season, some of Yosemite's higher elevation trails are closed. The following hiking trails are typically open in March: Lower Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, Bridalveil Fall, and the Vernal Falls footbridge on Mist Trail.

How many days do you need in Yosemite National Park?

How many days to spend in Yosemite National Park? One day is enough to see all of the Yosemite Valley, but

2-3 days is ideal if you wish to take some of the longer hikes or explore Glacier Point and the Tioga Pass

.

What to do if you have to use the bathroom while hiking?

  1. Squat as low as possible. …
  2. Pay attention to the ground slope. …
  3. Be mindful of the wind direction. …
  4. Pack out your toilet paper. …
  5. Use a pee rag instead of toilet paper. …
  6. Consider other alternatives to toilet paper. …
  7. Try using a female urination device. …
  8. Consider wearing a hiking skirt instead of pants.

Which is scarier Half Dome or Angels Landing?

I've hiked both trails, and must admit the final stretch to the summit of

Half Dome

is scarier and, indeed, very likely more dangerous than the trail up Angels Landing. Nowhere on Angels Landing does the trail head up a 600-foot stretch of slick granite that at points reaches a 45-degree angle.

Is Half Dome hike scary?

It is completely fine to turn back as

this is a genuinely scary section of hiking

. It is far worse than anything we've ever seen in a decade of hiking around the world (Angels Landing has nothing on Half Dome). So if you're not sure, just go and see it for yourself!

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.