Don’t be like me, where I had to ration the last few sips of my water for the hike down. This warning goes doubly for Clouds Rest hikers, where the elevation gain, difficulty, and exposure is more intense than the Half Dome Cables Route. A sign warns Half Dome Hikers that the Merced River is the last place to grab water before the ascent. Ahead is a backpackers camp, complete with a backcountry Ranger Station. Once past Nevada Falls, take the John Muir Trail into Little Yosemite Valley. On Water (a lack thereof) The Merced River at the Happy Isles Trailhead On another weekend, in another summer, backpacking from Tenaya to The Valley would be a fun path to travel. Many of these parties were packing overnight gear-opting to spend a night between Tuolumne and Yosemite Valley. Hikers start at higher elevation than Happy Isles, and the mileage is more gentle. Tackling The Rest from Tuolumne seems like an easier trek. Such low traffic is likely due to the relative obscurity, and difficulty of the hike, but I found it surprising nevertheless.Ĭlouds Rest is more commonly approached from Tenaya Lake (you can read more about that hike here). My whole day was spent on the trail, and I counted only one other hiker heading up to Clouds Rest. I hiked up on a Sunday, normally a busy day in the Valley. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so few people on a Yosemite Day hike as I have on my way to Clouds Rest. Most folks never trek past Vernal Falls, and after the Half Dome junction, the trail is nearly deserted. The crowds start off thick, though you’ll find that as you hike farther, and climb higher, less and less people will be seen on the trail. Like the Mist Trail, Half Dome, and the entirety of the John Muir Trail, the hike to Clouds Rest has humble beginnings at Happy Isles. Trail Mapĭownload file: Clouds_Rest.gpx The Trail-Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley The Lip of Nevada Falls Length: 20 Miles, out and back Elevation Gain: 5000 feet Summit Elevation: 9,931’ Trailhead: Happy Isles Cables?: Nope Permits?: None Needed Bathrooms: Bathrooms can be found at Happy Isles, and at the Vernal Falls bridge Water Sources: The Vernal Falls Bridge, Merced River in Little Yosemite Valley, and a spring along the trail. Stats Difficulty: Extreme! Not for the inexperienced, the frail, or the faint of heart. Looking for New Hiking Gear?Ĭlick the Banner Below to see our Highest Rated Hiking Gear! From Tents to Trail Running Shoes, this is the gear that we never leave at home! It’s like the Emperor to Half Dome’s Darth Vader. Half Dome may be the more famous hike, but Clouds Rest looms quietly in the background-as if pulling the strings from it’s lofty, innocuous perch. In some ways, Clouds Rest is more like the final boss of Yosemite Valley Day Hikes. Half Dome, as infamous and drawing as it is, will have to be ignored. Hikers join the John Muir Trail as it ambles through the Little Yosemite Valley. First, the Mist Trail must be surmounted, up past Vernal and Nevada Falls.
Many famous Yosemite landmarks must be overcome in order to ascend Clouds Rest. Over the course of 10 miles, hikers gain nearly 5000 feet in elevation. Hiking to Clouds Rest from Yosemite Valley may just be the most difficult day hike in the whole park. The Trail-Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley.Hiking Clouds Rest via Yosemite Valley: The Stairway to Heaven.
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