2 night trip to Clouds Rest, tips?

[blacksquirrel]

Hi everyone,

We're planing to backpack from Tuolumne Meadows (Cathedral Lakes trailhead) to Sunrise Lakes, Clouds Rest, Merced Lake, back to Tuolumne Meadows, starting on June 10th. We are planning to do this as a 3 day, 2 night trip, camping near Sunrise Lakes, and near Merced Lake (both times in our own tent). Is this a reasonable route, or does anybody have tips on how to change it? What are the current conditions on those trails? Is there snow?

I've also been wondering about water sources and camp sites: Am I correct that finding good camp sites and decent water sources near Sunrise Lakes and near Merced Lake is possible?

Thanks!

[AlmostThere]

There's a HIgh Sierra Camp at Merced Lake, and I suspect you will be in the backpacker camp there if you actually want to camp at the lake. There's a minimum legal mileage from the camp you have to adhere to in order to dispersal camp. Camping at the lower Sunrise Lake is illegal, I believe.

The lakes will have water. The streams may not. Don't forget your filter.

[bbmq]

I think what AlmostThere meant about Sunrise Lakes is that the first one you come to from Sunrise, which I consider to be Upper Sunrise Lake, there is no camping. The second and third lake is good for camping and it's about 10 miles to the third one from Cathedral Pass TH.

Days 2 and 3 are longer hikes, from Sunrise Lakes to Merced Lake going over Cloud's Rest is about 16 miles. From there to Tuolumne Meadows is about 14 miles by Rafferty Creek with about 2800 ft. elevation gain, an extra mile or two to go over Vogelsang Pass (with nicer views) and about a 3400 ft. elevation gain.

That's an adventurous trip to do in three days if you're up for it with highly rewarding views...enjoy!