Clouds Rest Hike

CLOUDS REST HIKE

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

Clouds Rest

Half Dome Views

Yosemite Valley

Our Clouds Rest hike is the ultimate bucket-list Yosemite adventure! The summit of Clouds Rest is the neighboring peak to Half Dome, located immediately to the North and peaking over 1,000 feet higher. When looking at Half Dome from the valley, you can see Clouds Rest immediately to the left. At 9,926’ in elevation, the summit offers one of the best views in the park, and an unparalleled vantage of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley. This challenging 14.5-mile day hike is a favorite for guests and guides alike, making it among our most popular day tours. All Clouds Rest day hike tours are private.

Due to a record setting snowpack this winter, we expect access to the Tioga Rd/Hwy 120 through northern Yosemite on/after July 1st. We have updated our availability accordingly. For more information see: Yosemite’s Historical Seasonal Opening & Closing Dates. Expect wet/muddy trails, and the possibility of stream/river crossings and/or walking on/crossing snow. Trekking poles will be provided. Also be prepared to experience Yosemite in unparalleled beauty as it comes to life after one of the wettest winter seasons on record. If seasonal access or trail conditions present any ongoing issues, another hike/tour of similar quality/length will be offered through consultation with you in the week prior to your departure with us. Tours/hikes can also be modified accordingly with the guide upon meeting and/or as needed, throughout your day of adventure. For more information and what to expect, see: Yosemite’s 2023 Snowpack & 2023 Summer Expectations.

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Availability:

June 15 – October 31

Duration:

8-12 Hours

Mileage & Difficulty:

14.5 Miles

Strenuous

Cost:

1-2 People: $600

3-4 People: $700

5+ People: $175/Person

All Tours Are Private

Departs From:

Sunrise Lakes Trailhead Parking Lot

Meeting Time:

7 am

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Clouds Rest Hike

Meeting Location: Sunrise Lakes Trailhead at 8,150′
High Point: Clouds Rest Summit: 9926′
Elevation Gain: 1,776′

The Clouds Rest hike begins at 7 am at the Sunrise Trailhead parking along the west shore of Tenaya Lake. This is right off of Higway 120/Tioga Road between Olmstead Point and Tenaya Lake. You will meet your Lasting Adventures Guide here.

The distance of the Clouds Rest hike is approximately 14.5 miles round trip from Tenaya Lake in the Yosemite high country with a total elevation gain of 1,776′. The trail begins at an elevation of about 8,150 and the first 1.5 miles is gradual before miles 1.5-2.5 which offers one of the more difficult climbs of the day. The reward at the top of this first climb is an awesome hidden viewpoint down the length of Tenaya Canyon seeing the valley in the distance past both Clouds Rest and Half Dome.

The next few miles are a combination of some downhill and gradual uphills before the last climb to the summit. Views of the high country in a less crowded area are abundant as we pass by a pond and break at a stream. After the break we start winding uphill again as we gain a view of the Clouds Rest summit and more views up the Merced River Canyon. The last 1/4 mile or so to the summit we call ‘The Spine’, a narrow ridge with a steep drop off to the west of about 4,000 feet and a lesser drop to the east of around 1,000 feet. This provides an exciting adrenaline rush at the end, but is certainly more low key than summiting Half Dome.

The reward at the summit is one of the best 360 degree views in the park. From this viewpoint you can see many famous Yosemite icons such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Glacier Point, Mt. Watkins, North Dome, Sentinel Dome, Mount Hoffman, Mount Lyell, Mount Conness, Mount Dana, Merced lake, Tenaya Lake … and the list goes on.

Notes:

All tours are private.
Guide(s) carry first aid kits, water purification methods, toilet paper (for emergencies), suntan lotion and bug repellent. Please plan to bring your own lunch, snacks, water bottles, etc.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. You will be kept in contact throughout this process.

REQUIRED FORMS

In addition to full payment; final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the Required Forms. These forms are also attached to your confirmation email once you register online.

We will require an additional medical release for any guest who is currently under the care of a physician for any ongoing disease, illness, or any other condition/factor that may be a concern on the trip.

TRIP ITINERARIES

All trips are subject to itinerary changes for a wide variety of reasons including, but not limited to permitting, weather, forest fires, park or public land closures, and/or road closures. In most all situations we will offer an alternative itinerary of equal value and quality or a credit through the end of the following season. Payments are non-refundable for itinerary changes. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control prior to its start date a trip credit equal to the full amount paid will be issued.

FIREARM POLICY

Lasting Adventures understands that firearm laws and policies vary in every area we operate in. Regardless of local laws and policies, Lasting Adventures does not allow firearms on any of our trips. Participants who bring firearms will not be allowed to participate while in possession of their firearm.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance or Trip Protection, which can provide you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption (including COVID-19), travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. One option offered through our booking system is the Enhanced Refund Terms through the Protect Group which is available at checkout for 10% of the total cost of your trip. See more information on this policy HERE. You are also welcome to purchase any other travel insurance or trip protection of your choice.

Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect both yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We will happily provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips upon request. Please note, we are unable to provide refunds for trips covered by insurance. Your first course of action should be to contact the company responsible for insuring your trip.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Full payment is required upon registration for all Day Trips. Feel free to contact us directly to set up any other payment plan. When registering online expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (which is capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check. For detailed information see Payment Options.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES

Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control a trip credit equal to the full amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.

The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website, such as TripAdvisor/Viator, the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.

Day Hike Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days prior to the trip date, we will grant you a full refund less a $25 per/person processing fee.
With 72 hours notice, we will retain 50 percent of the total trip cost.
Within 72 hours there will be no refund or credit.

Half Dome in a Day Cancellation Policy

More than 90 days prior to the trip date, we will grant you a full refund less a $25 per/person processing fee.
More than 60 days prior to the trip date, we will retain 50 percent of the total trip cost.
Less than 31 days prior to the start date, there will be no refund or credit.

48 Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy

Cancellations of any trip can be made without penalty within 48 hours of the initial booking. After 48 hours our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.

Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy

Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the full amount paid will be issued. In this case, you will be required to submit proof of the purchase of said travel insurance. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will refund a credit equal to the amount of days not used. In both cases these credits will be lifetime/transferable.

Other Considerations

Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no opportunities for refunds or credits will be possible, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance (below) is strongly recommended.

Infectious Disease Policy (including COVID): Any participant, on any program/trip, with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate and no refund/credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child prior to participation and contact us to cancel should any sign of illness be present. Health screenings can be expected on all youth programs.

Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is a risky activity which can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable.

TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY

Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid towards switching to another trip in the current or the coming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to a credit must occur more than 30 days prior to your original start date. Changes within 30-days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.

COUPONS

See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions

Join Us For A Guided Tour

Availability

June 15 – October 31

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#1 Rated Guide Service in the West

I did a private one-on-one hike with a guide to Half Dome. This was such an amazing experience! The guide was very knowledgeable regarding Yosemite, and I realized I wouldn't have completed it without the help of the guide. His expertise and calmness during the cables really enabled me to push through and complete this amazing hike!”

We were a group of 7 family members (ages 22-65 years old), for all of us was our first hiking/backpacking/camping experience. We all have such an amazing yet challenging experience, it was really worthy! Thank you so much to our guides Nicole and Jack for your cheers, your spirit, your cooking, your yoga time, your knowledge and for doing this family trip so great! We really enjoy it!!

I booked a guided hike for Clouds Rest as I was unsuccessful in my ballot for Half Dome. My friend was unable to make it so I decided to book a guided hike for myself. From beginning to end, Lasting Adventures was great. They replied to me quickly, and my guide was excellent! He offered me hiking poles in case I hadn't taken any and had plenty other essentials on hand.