Clouds Rest

Clouds Rest is an arete -- a thin, almost knife-like ridge of rock formed when glaciers eroded away solid rock to form Tenaya Canyon and Little Yosemite Valley.
The northwest face, mostly solid granite, rises 5,000 feet above Tenaya Creek.
Although there are many peaks in the park having far greater elevation, Clouds Rest's proximity to Yosemite Valley gives it a incredible visual prominence.

Routes

Tenaya Lake/Sunrise Trail

53 climbs • 12.8 mi • 2,822 ft gain • 7 hr 17 min

Sunrise Lakes Trailhead

2 climbs • 11.8 mi • 2,709 ft gain • 7 hr 9 min

Latest climbs

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"Long day up the Death Slabs to Ahwiyah, cross country to tag the Quarter Domes and Clouds Rest horn and up to the summit of Clouds Rest. Less than 3 hours from the summit of Clouds Rest to the valley floor." — Christopher • Oct 1, 2025

"Started from Tenaya Lake, over Clouds Rest and into the Valley. Long day, but worth every step! The view is one of the best in the Yosemite Valley. This is the perfect kick-a$$ hike, and will wipe away any stresses you may have carried when starting." — colleenmarie512 • Jul 2, 2022

"First time out to Clouds Rest (a peakery Classic). Perfect weather with clear air presented us the world famous full-on Yosemite Valley view. Maxed out my phone storage taking photos of Half Dome. Hit a couple side peaks on the way out." — scott • Sep 23, 2021

"This was a fun day with a friend. We actually did the loop up the normal route from Tenaya Lake and then looped around on JMT. There was a rather dramatic thunderstorm that came on quickly while we were to the SE of Clouds Rest trying to get up the ridge. Luckily it stopped just as it was starting to get scary close." — sareine • Aug 15, 2020

"Fun trip up Clouds Rest. Found a partner halfway through, which helps with some of the more bland parts of the trail. He headed through to Yosemite Valley while I enjoyed about an hour alone on top. Best year of a lifetime to visit Yosemite. It might be scary for the acrophobic, but the ridge isn't nearly as narrow and sheer as people describe. You'd have to make a concerted effort to fall off the ridge." — sareine • Jun 18, 2020

"We were supposed to climb Mount Lyell on this trip, but bad weather on the first day caused Amber & I to bail on that plan. Instead we hiked up to Clouds Rest and enjoyed exploring all over Yosemite. I love this park!" — Kevin • Jul 27, 2019

"Gt this one a bit late and t that time the view was obscured in the west by smoke from the Ferguson fire. We woke at 3am and bagged Half Dome as that was smoked out the day before. Grind up the switchbacks was one of the tougher, more miserable climbs in recent memory. Either we were melting in the sun or getting chewed up by particularly aggressive mosquitos when we stopped in the shade. The highly recommended views are indeed spectacular and not to be missed by any serious hiker.. I'll have to come back at some point with better visibility." — JustinB • Jul 24, 2018

"Beautiful, mid-60's day. Decided to try Cloud's Rest from the Valley through to Tenaya Lake, so parked cars at each end. Also planned on getting Half Dome in on the way, but due to a late start and lack of permits quickly abandoned that goal. Finished at Lake Tenaya just past sunset." — austin • Oct 1, 2016

"Been on my to do list for years and i finally got there just before the thunderstorms rolled in. Peak # 50 of my 100 in 2014 goal! We started from Teneya lake before sun up, was a beautiful hike." — 1-with-Nature • Jul 14, 2014

"A fantastic climb during an amazing weekend. Backpacked with Holly to sunrise lakes on Friday and proposed at sunset with the lake to ourselves. Got up early and hiked Clouds Rest and enjoyed mimosas on the summit. Hiked out early for a surprise stay in the Ahwahnee, checked in and surprised her again with her four closest East Coast friends waiting in the room. An unforgettable weekend. " — Christopher • May 24, 2014