Tenaya lake thru clouds rest to happy isles - 2 nights

[J Austin]

Hi-

I'm heading up to Yosemite the week of October 7th and going to backpack for 2 nights/ 3 days. One way, from teneya lake to happy isles via clouds rest. Looking for anyone interested in the same route during this time. My girlfriend has to stay behind in San Diego this trip.

Anyone have any good camping recommendations in the surrounding area besides LYV?

About myself, 31 yrs male and reside in San Diego. Reasonably fit and can handle my own. Been day hiking for 10+ yrs and backpacking for a couple. Love to hike!

Nothing else on earth as beautiful as this park and I can't wait to get out there!!

Thanks,
Jon

I took this pic on the way up to half dome last year, looking back at clouds rest summit

[AlmostThere]

How are you getting to the trailhead? Bus schedules are pretty impacted after Sept 15.

Currently 120 is closed between Crane Flat and White Wolf due to the Rim Fire. It may re-open if the fire is controlled, and hopefully the fire will be over by then, but there is no guarantee.

You camp where there are good spots - they're pretty obvious along the way. Lots of spots near Sunset Creek. The rangers will tell you where it is legal to camp.

[J Austin]

I will be staying with family, camping in the valley for a week and they will drop me off. Sure hope this fire is out soon! Has consumed way too much already.

Given I have 2 nights and doing clouds rest, is it better to stay a night before summiting? And the next morning hiking with pack on over the summit and continue to LYV? Or is there a better more scenic route? Looking at any and all options...

Thanks for the input

[AlmostThere]

If you're hiking on trail, and want to do Clouds Rest, that's pretty much your route. It's all scenic, not "better" or "worse" - your route will not take you through isolated areas. I'm sure there will be plenty of day hikers, still.

I'm really not much help as I usually day hike all that stuff. I think if I were going to backpack it I'd stay at Sunrise or Cathedral Lakes, visit Clouds in the morning, hike to the campsite at the top end of LYV beyond the "no camping" sign and camp along the Merced River there, and hike back out. If only because the bears are super crazy in LYV proper. But, i have my biases about the crowds in LYV campsites. (October should be not-crowded tho, as everyone is thinking it's too cold for backpacking).

Don't forget to check forecasts up until the day you start... every backpacking trip I've had the first weekend of October has turned into a snowy fun trip.

[J Austin]

I'm gonna have to think about this one. I kind of want to do a through trip so my ride doesn't have to come back. Thanks for the info

[AlmostThere]

Why couldn't you do it as a thru? The far en of LYV is a mere 9-10 miles from happy isles and it's downhill to boot.

[J Austin]

Wanted to split it up in 2 nights to enjoy some extended stay backcountry. I think maybe tenaya to over night at sunrise then backtrack a little to over clouds on to a night in lyv. Just a thought...?

[AlmostThere]

That's essentially what I suggested. Sunrise lakes is a short distance off the route.

There is also a dry campsite on top of the ridge near the junction of the trail to cathedral.

[Dave]

Who knew that there was a Clouds Rest in Australia, too?

[ODS]

There is a great camping spot just across the last creek on the map before the trail starts the climb to clouds rest. The stream can be just a trickle this late in the year and I have had to hike about 1/3 to 1/2 mile to the running part to find good water, but the site is great. It is an excellent spot for your 1st night and leaves a good hike to LYV the next day (including up over Clouds Rest). When I did this hike I left my pack at the spur junction just before the summit of Clouds Rest so that I didn't have to take my pack up to the summit, then you can either double back across the "back-bone" or you can loop around to go get your pack.

More on camping spot, about 1/3 to 1/4 mile up the trail after crossing the creek the ferns and boulders will all disappear and you'll find a nice clearing for a campsite. If you hike up the ridge to the west (super easy and short) you get to a great granite section where there are usually several very nice fire rings already made for a great campfire location and then you can retreat back down to the camping spot - or find a good spot up closer to the fire.

[J Austin]

Thanks ODS, that actually sounds like a great route also. I'm just gonna have to weigh my options between your recommended site and sunrise lakes. I think your site may giver me a better leave or setup for the next day for my approach up and over CR.

I sure hope the weather will cooperate. I don't have snow equipment