Sunrise Lakes Loop via Clouds Rest Trail. The path descends gradually through tall pine forest, soon meeting again wth the main trail that makes its way to Half Dome (my intended next destination) and then onto Yosemite Valley. DIFFICULT 216.3 mi. Clouds Rest is a large granite peak within Yosemite National Park. Take the Sunrise Lakes trail from Tenaya Lake. We had some options as to how far and how many days we would go. To get there you’ll have to take highway 120 up to Tioga Pass. 0.0km Tenaya Lake (Sunrise Lakes Trailhead) on Tioga Road 4.1km Junction with Sunrise Lakes Trail 7.6km Junction with Pack Trail 10.3km Clouds Rest summit (3,037m / 9,926 feet asl) 16.1km Clouds Rest Track meets John Muir Trail 19.7km Junction with Merced Lake trail 27.8km Sunrise High Sierra Camp (2,900m / 9,400ft) 30.3km Sunrise Lakes (first lake) 31.1km Sunrise Lakes (second lake… ( Log Out /  And now you have a downhill followed by some rolling terrain. Given we were slated to camp at Sunrise Lakes, we took the trail to the left which is flat for a bit and then downhill and easily manageable to Sunrise Lake #1.  There are campsites as you first hit the lake that are close to the water and/or have water views.  This area, though, gets crowded and is right off the trail.  As you continue on, and begin to curve around the lake, there is a “pond” off to the left (when we were there it was dry.  During the wet season, there is water joining the two and this is a water crossing with a log down to assist you in keeping dry.  Immediately after this crossing, there are campsites tucked back away from the lake (along the granite ridge that are quieter, more protected, and offer killer views of the Canyon and sunset.  We set up camp at the site farthest back that provides 3-4 flat tent spots, a nice “kitchen area” with a fire pit (for when fires are allowed) and a rocky area where you can find lots of room to relax with canyon views or watch a Sunset. There are multiple ways to reach Clouds Rest, but this route from Tioga Road is the easiest and most direct. Answer 1 of 12: Hi, I'm going to yosemite for 5-6 nights in August. The Forsyth Trail descended sharply for the first half mile, winding down a granite staircase through stands of wildflowers. Part two of our adventure from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park past Sunrise Lakes then up and over Clouds Rest before camping at Sunrise Creek. After about an hour of down time, we retraced our steps and made our way back to camp. DIFFICULT 36.8 mi. The trail now descends via a series of switchbacks down to the valley; it’s getting warm and I’m glad to be going downhill (but less thrilled at the thought that eventually I will need to regain all of this altitude). Retrace steps back to Tenaya Lake and the Sunrise Trailhead. Total ascent is 1,650m. After a bit less than a mile of gradual descent, I reach a small spur that faces Half Dome on the other side of the valley. Some people camp at Sunrise lakes, which isn't super far from Tenaya lakes. A bit further on there’s a small plateauand another junction, this time a trail to Merced Lakes. When you flatten out, you will be on rolling ups and downs for the next mile and a half. Instead, I cross Sunrise Creek, after re-filling my water bottles, and take the John Muir Trail back towards Sunrise Lakes. There are two trails that leave from Tenaya Lake, one that leads to the north and one to the south. Saturday 9/8/18 (3.5 miles, 1132 feet gain):  Man did we feel lucky by the clear skies and warm weather predicted in Yosemite.  Hard to tell, initially, as we left home at 4:30am in total darkness.  With this departure time, we made it to the Big Oak Flat Ranger station at 8:00am to pick up our permits.  For those who don’t know, permits are required to camp in the back Country of Yosemite.  Despite our being there at 8:00am, we were still #3 in line with others before us hoping to score available permits that day.  While understandable, I was terribly disappointed to learn Yosemite has a current ban on all camp fires.  It seems the 10 recent lightening strike fires are keeping them plenty busy.  Guess I brought the marshmellows for nothing.  We were back on the road around 8:30am and ready to roll at the Sunrise Lake Trailhead (near Tenaya Lake) at 9:30am. First part of our hike was about 2.7 miles, which actually is the most strenuous part of the hike with steep switchbacks up to the Sunrise Lakes and Cloud’s Rest juncture. More. After the first 1.5 mile hike on the relatively flat trail, you begin to climb up the lower slope below Sunrise Mountain.