Clouds Rest via John Muir Trail(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate one way trail to Clouds Rest in Yosemite National Park.

This trail goes by The Pinnacles.

This trail is shown on Gaia as a trail from the John Muir Trail just beyond the turn off to Half Dome to the top of Cloud's Rest. This rite of passage destination, Cloud's Rest provides one of the highest elevation views near Yosemite National Park and is worth every painful step. The trail is usually accessed from the Sunrise Trailhead off Tioga Road and I refer you to that hike as the most straightfoward. This segment of trail is where you go (or come from) if you are hiking the John Muir Trail southward and take a spur up to Cloud's Rest. It is also the route you climb down if you are tacking both Cloud's Rest and Half Dome as a grueling hike or a grueling backpack trip. I've done it the latter. The trail climbs steeply up through deep forest climbing roughly 2,300 feet. At first it runs along the side of the mountain before switchbacking up to side of the Pinnacles. The views from here on out are frankly world class breathtaking. The trail continues on the eastern side of the ridge that forms both Cloud's Rest and the Pinnacles before you reach the split for bypass of Cloud's Rest. Go left and upward for the wonderful airy peak that is Cloud's Rest. There are many points along the trail to challenge your fear of heights though no reach danger.

A note to JMT hikers: I did this as a through hike from the north to the south. It's worth considering taking the bypass up to Sunrise Lakes and then hiking down the ridge to do this hike in reverse, there are great campsites and stupendous views.

Getting Started

This trail splits from the John Muir Trail about one half mile (roughly) after the Half Dome trail.

Taking Children

Kids can do anything. But to get to this location would require very very dedicated kids most likely backpacking. The elevation gain and remoteness however would make it impossiible except for the most stalwart and adventerous of our offspring. I took my kid, but he was 30 then. ;)