Thankfully, the steepest and most annoying section of this hike lies only about 1.5 miles in from the trailhead: an ascent over a boulder-strewn slope with big steps and uneven ground. Everything that comes after that is not as bad - just long. The summit ridge of Clouds Rest is not for the faint of heart, but its exposed nature and location offer terrific views over the granite dome landscape of Yosemite that make it absolutely worth seeing. Lower Sunrise Lake is just half a mile away from the trail. This is not mentioned on the trail sign. A little use trail leads around the lake. It's nothing spectacular but I could imagine it's great in summer, to cool down with a swim after returning from Clouds Rest.