You'll definitely want to stay on the summit a while to soak in the panorama, so get an early start on this hike and bring plenty of sunscreen because there's no shade once you're up on top.

Not to mention the views back towards Tuolumne Meadows aren't too shabby either. The results were superior to the original CBH product of IRT and closer to the cloud radar data. Whereas satellite remote sensing with passive radiometers traditionally has provided a ready means for estimating cloud-top height (CTH) and cloud water path (CWP), assignment of CBH requires heavy assumptions on the. The trail does become quite exposed towards the top, but is still wide enough to be comfortable (unless you have an extreme fear of heights).Īt the top, you will be looking SE into Yosemite Valley with stunning views of Half Dome all the way out to El Capitan in the distance. Abstract An improved algorithm to calculate cloud-base height (CBH) from infrared temperature sensor (IRT) observations that accompany a microwave radiometer was described, the results of which were compared with the CBHs derived from ground-based millimeter-wavelength cloud radar reflectivity data. Abstract Knowledge of cloud-base height (CBH) is important to describe cloud radiative feedbacks in numerical models and is of practical relevance to the aviation community. At this point you will be going up the backbone of Clouds Rest. This gradual terrain continues until the final 2 miles when the real climbing starts. Eventually, you will reach a plateau slightly before the turnoff to Sunrise Lakes. Cloud height is not measured directly but is derived from separate measurements of cloud base and cloud top altitudes. Starting out from the Tenaya Lake trailhead will save you crowds on the trail and the trouble of driving into the congested Yosemite Valley and fighting for parking spaces.Īt the start, the trail climbs quickly through the High Sierra, passing pine trees and monstrous white granite boulders along the way. If you know about this hidden gem however, you're in luck. You are higher than Half Dome by 1000 feet, looking down on it. (Google some youtube videos on Clouds Rest before you decide.) From the top of Clouds Rest, no doubt, the view is excellent. Weak knees may present some concerns too. The 'younger' brother of the world famous Half Dome, Clouds Rest is in fact a solid 1,000 feet taller despite receiving significantly less attention. Like walking on the edge of a sharp knife - in geological scale. This hike is far less crowded than Half Dome and doesn't require permits for day hiking. You can apply for a permit online.Enjoy incredible panoramic views of Yosemite Valley. The cost of the permit is $20, of which $10 is a non-refundable application fee and the other $10 is due upon receipt of the permit. Apply two days ahead of the day you would like to hike. After this, the remaining permits are distributed through daily lotteries.

Permits are distributed by lottery, most during a pre-season application period in March.

The trail is 10 miles long and gains over 2,800 feet in elevation. Therefore, a permit is required to hike this trail. The hike to Clouds Rest in Yosemite National Park is considered to be one of the most challenging trails in the park. In order to preserve this natural wonder, hiking the Half Dome is limited to a maxiumum of 300 people per day. Clouds Rest is an arete - a thin, almost knife-like ridge of rock formed when glaciers eroded away solid rock to form Tenaya Canyon and Little Yosemite Valley. Weather permitting, they are up by Memorial Day weekend in May, and taken down again in mid-October. In weather observations, the height of the cloud base above local terrain. The last 400 ft of elevation is climbed without rock climbing equipment or training by using metal cables put in place by the National Park Service during the summer season. The season on climbing Half Dome is determined by the cables. If you’re in good enough shape to tackle the ascent, reaching the top of the Half Dome is a victory in itself. The elevation of Clouds Rest (9,926 feet) means that sunscreen is especially recommended, and mosquito repellent also probably wouldnt go amiss. Not for the faint of heart, the Half Dome is the dream hike for many hikers. Cloud ceiling is measured using a weather instrument known as a ceilometer.

Region of the Park / Trailhead: Yosemite Valley / Happy Isles High clouds have base heights of 3,000 to 7,600 meters (10,000 to 25,000 ft) in polar regions, 5,000 to 12,200 meters (16,500 to 40,000 ft) in temperate regions, and 6,100 to 18,300 meters (20,000 to 60,000 ft) in the tropical region. Cloud’s Rest From Sunrise Lake Trailhead.

Clouds rest height