Cloud’s Rest, a massive granite formation just northeast of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, is visible throughout Yosemite Valley and is an excellent trail for viewing the Valley Floor from above.
The most direct route is from the Sunrise Lakes trailhead on Tioga Road near Tenaya Lake.
From the trailhead, you start the hike by following the trail markers for Sunrise H.S.C. After the first 1.5 mile hike on the relatively flat trail, you begin to climb up the lower slope below Sunrise Mountain. You gain 1,000 ft in the last section of the trail which can be quite steep at the top of the ridge. Do not attempt this hike if it looks like there may be thunder and rain at the crest.
You can download a free Yosemite National Park trailhead map here
For individual Yosemite National Park topographic maps by sector click here
