Monday, August 09, 2010
Clouds Rest - A Kick in the Head
At 9926 ft, Clouds Rest, northeast of Half Dome is a great hike. The popular route (apprx.7.2 miles) is from Sunrise Trail near Tenaya lake. It is an out and back trail, round trip 14.4 miles. It can be ascended from the back by hiking from the valley floor which lengthens the distance to 9.4 miles each way. And there are other routes for more hardy souls.
Sarbajit Ghosal and I had ascended Half Dome twice by hiking the trail from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. On Saturday, August 7th, we drove to Sunrise Trail near Tenaya Lake and ascended Clouds Rest. Parts of the trail are strenuous but the ascent can be done by all reasonably fit hikers. It was a beautiful morning -- sunny and not too cold when we began around 9:00 AM. The first 1.5 miles of the trail are relatively flat and green and then the rocky part begins with another short stretch of greenery before the Sunrise Junction. There were many hikers, including backpackers who were heading for Yosemite Valley or to other areas of John Muir Trail.
Clouds Rest from trailhead to the summit
National Geographic TOPO!®
Clouds Rest viewed from Upper Yosemite Falls Trail (July 2009)
© Musafir
SG at the beginning of the trail
©Musafir
Clouds Rest from trailhead to the summit
Clouds Rest viewed from Upper Yosemite Falls Trail (July 2009)
SG at the beginning of the trail
Wild Flowers
More wild flowers
SG on the trail before the rocky part began
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| ©Musafir Beginning of the rocky switchback part of the trail  A tranquil lake before the Sunrise Trail Junction |
Sunrise Trail Junction, 2.5 miles before the summit
Another rocky area beyond Sunrise Jcn
Looking down on Tenaya Lake
Hikers nearing the Summit
Tired but happy climbers
©Musafir
With SG on top of Clouds Rest
Unusual view of the northeast side of Half Dome
View from top of Clouds Rest, I
©Musafir
View from top of Clouds Rest,II
***
You got to climb your mountain
Everybody's got to cross their own mountain
If you climb your mountain
Walk on to the other side
Walk on to the other side
Walk on through to the other side
Climb your mountain, walk on through to the other side
--Everybody's got to cross their own mountain
If you climb your mountain
Walk on to the other side
Walk on to the other side
Walk on through to the other side
Climb your mountain, walk on through to the other side
Sung a few times by Sara Fulcher with Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders in 1973. Origin of the song unknown - Source:
