Happy Isles Trail Junction to Cloud’s Rest, Yosemite National Park, Part II
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 9:30AM 
Looking back toward Yosemite Valley and Half Dome from the CR Trail
Directions to Cloud’s Rest Continued:
From Little Yosemite Valley, take the trail junction North towards Half Dome. From this point, you will be under constant tree coverage until you break treeline around nine thousand feet several miles up the trail. Depending on what time of day or year this is, you may be around a fair number of people heading up or down from Half Dome. After you have gone 1.5 miles, there will be a turnoff for Cloud’s Rest and the Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Since this trail report is about Cloud’s Rest, it should be obvious what to do here: take the turnoff and keep heading uphill. For the next half mile (.5), you will see a number of campsites that backpackers have made for treks into the High Country, and for overnight ascents of Half Dome.
If you are feeling tired after this first five miles, and hey, with a backpack, and having ascended that far, this is not a bad place to stay, should you have the time on your permit, and or the inclination to stop. It is also worth noting that after this point, there are less flat areas for an extended stretch off trail, so you are likely committed to reaching the summit (or an area just below) unless you like sleeping on sloped terrain. After this half mile stretch, you will see another trail junction which will take you to the Sunrise High Sierra Camp, and destinations North. If that’s where you want to go, head that way, otherwise, stay on the trail you are on toward Cloud’s Rest.
Not a bad spot to camp near the summit of Cloud's Rest
From this junction, is it five miles to the summit of Cloud’s Rest. I have been up and down Mt. Whitney in a day. I have been up and down many fourteeners, and higher peaks in single and multiple days. I have backpacked over many mountain ranges, and I have to say that in my experience, the first three or so miles of the remaining five are one of the most brutal stretches I have backpacked through . Rest assured, the trail through this section is well graded, marked, and not overly steep. But...every time I have headed through this section of trail, it has felt to me like it takes freaking forever. Offhand, I can think of several reasons for this – if you started in the valley the same day, at this point you are a probably a little tired from the elevation gain and distance. Second, while the scenery is beautiful, it is also your standard Sierra Nevada forest, with nothing extraordinary visible for a couple miles. So, if you are in this stretch of trail and it feels like it is taking forever, don’t worry – it probably is – or at least that’s how it feels.
After you traverse this portion, however, you will be rewarded with an amazing view. As you approach the 9,000 foot mark, the trees will thin, leaving you on a series of switchbacks with views facing West interspersed by lone pines, and an increasingly small Half Dome. After these switchbacks, the trail straightens out, and levels out somewhat just above 9,000 feet. Here, on the shoulder of the mountain, you’ll find a great spot to camp for the night. There are a number of freestanding glacial boulders, and you’ll find a number of spots that have been packed down on the loose granite shelf. This is where I usually stay, and where I stayed in 2009. I’d say the only better spot to sleep on this trip is the summit of Cloud’s Rest itself. If it’s summertime, be prepared for this area to be fairly popular among backpackers, meaning there might be 4-5 other people there; wintertime, you’ll be lucky if you see another person.
Sunrise over the Clark Range
Depending on the time of day, and time of year, you may want to drop your bag and gear before heading for the summit, which is less than a half mile (.5) from this spot. If it’s late in the day, and you feel like taking it easy, you’ll be able to set up camp easily, and watch the sun set behind Half Dome, while watching Mt. Starr King and Mt. Clark to the South. If you decide to relax, the summit of Cloud’s Rest is a great place to watch the sunrise (as is the above mentioned campsite). It is worth noting that should you elect to sleep on the summit of Cloud’s Rest as I have done, it is an exposed granite area that is basically 10,000 feet (9,926, come on, that’s basically 10K!) that gets quite windy, and has a steep drop off on the Tenaya Canyon side. From the summit, there are great panoramic views of the park. Should you stay at the summit, or the high camp I mention, you’ll be treated to a great sunrise; and great stargazing. Once you’re done on the summit, and if you only have the two day permit I mentioned, you can either make camp for the night, or begin your trek back into the valley. Either way, I guarantee that you’ll have an excellent time summiting this peak, and a relaxing short backpack.
Tips: Remember, there may be no water sources available after Little Yosemite Valley, especially if it is late season, and no snow is present. Be sure to carry plenty of water after that point.
See you on the trail!
More Information: http://www.summitpost.org/clouds-rest/150422, http://gurmeet.net/hiking/yosemite-national-park-clouds-rest/, http://hiking.polarhaven.net/hike.php?id=69,