Clouds Rest/Sunrise Creek

[bbmq]

I have a 4-day trip on the 1st week of August and I'm considering starting at Sunrise trailhead, to Clouds Rest (taking the horse trail bypass) and then staying at Sunrise Creek on the first night. My topo tells me it's about 10.3 miles to SC but also that it's about a 2800 ft. drop from CR.

This sounds like a real leg burner. I had ACL reconsruction done three years ago, it doesn't really hurt when I backpack (though swelling needs to be managed) but steep downhill is my biggest concern. Can anyone attest to the steepness of this grade, is it excessively steep at times or is the downhill balanced out at all?

Thank you in advance.

[AlmostThere]

I don't remember anything between Teneya Lake and Clouds being particularly steep, but my steepness meter may be skewed somewhat by going up Sawtooth Pass last year, and doing a lot of hiking on the coast, where trails tend to go straight up the sides of hills instead of doing nice switchbacks like the trails in Yosemite.

[bbmq]

Thanks, Almost There, but I was inquiring about the drop from Clouds Rest on the CR Trail down to Sunrise Creek, on the way to Half Dome. The topo says it goes from about 9800 ft. to about 7100 in about 3 miles, 900 ft/mile is pretty significant. But maps can't always tell the whole story and I was hoping to hear a few details from someone who has done it. And, most importantly, are the views worth the burn.

[balzaccom]

Haven't done that side of Cloud's Rest, but it's one of the best views in the park. Way better than Half Dome.

[LVRAY]

Yes, the drop from clouds rest to sunrise creek is steep, by no means the worst in the park, but it is a drop. We have done the route several times - the last being early last year when there was still snow.

First, there are rock steps coming off the south side CR. These are annoying, but the horse trail would bypass them. The drop is only about 3 miles, but it is long enough to tire your knees.

If you are not going to do CL itself,why are you taking this route?

[bbmq]

LVRAY, I was under the impression that the views coming down the Cloud's Rest Trail were spectular, similar to those from the top of Clouds Rest itself. If that is the case then I would be willing to endure the leg burn for 3 miles to take in those beautiful views.

[AlmostThere]

Any trail can be made easier by slowing down, and if the views are that great, why wouldn't you slow down?

Are you going to also go down the Mist Trail? That's a knee hammer for people without leg issues.

[bbmq]

When I head down to the Valley I typically go down the other side of the river, Almost There, the longest trail with the least amount of people. But this time I'm thinking about looping back toward Sunrise on the Echo Creek Trail, I've never been on that one before and would prefer it to the JMT. Then I'll probably look to stay at one of the Sunrise Lakes.

Do you know if htere are good camping spots along the lower section of Echo Creek trail?

[KC]

The drop on the way to Sunrise Creek is not bad. Actually, it's great, with spectacular views. Honestly, by the time you do Cloud's Rest, and get the views in going down to Sunrise Creek, Half Dome will simply be more an accomplishment or an "I did it moment" than anything else. You'll be looking down at Half Dome on your way to Sunrise Creek, and you'll have amazing views to the Clark Range and the whole eastern side of the Yosemite.

[KC]

My last comment wasn't so detailed, but to be more specific, the drop down to Sunrise Creek from Cloud's Rest is not terribly steep. There are some semi-steep moments, like the initial drop from Cloud's Rest to the main trail, but overall it's far from terrible. There are a set of switchbacks but they are not steeply graded, and there are plenty of great viewing places to stop for breaks. Just plan to take your time and you'll be fine.

Frankly, if you're doing Half Dome, I'd think going down the switchbacking stone staircase would be more problematic, let alone the Mist Trail. I know I definitely felt those downhills.

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