W6/SS-257 Cloud’s Rest – W6 SOTA Association

Summit & Travel Info
Summit ID: W6/SS-257	Name: Cloud's Rest	Points: 8
Route Type: Hike	Round Trip: 12.5 mi.	Gain: 3200 ft
Starting point (lat/lon): 37.82575, -119.47009	Area(s): Yosemite NP

Exec Summary: The is a long hike but may have some of the best views in Yosemite and this must be born out by the guide books since it was well trafficked today. I'll be looking down at Half Dome just a couple miles away and the elevation gives you a fantastic 360 degree view. My watch measured 12.6 miles round trip (RT), the Gaia route shows it should be 11.2 miles RT and the park signs indicate it would be 14.8 RT so I'll stay with the 12.6 from the watch. The elevation gain for this hike RT is 3,200, not massive but you feel it in both directions. In summary, it was a good day of pounding. Well trafficked trail to the top. The trailhead is just off of Tioga

The first half mile is your usual dirt forest trail, a good sign. The usual NorCal granite stones started to appear, as well as roots across the trail. After tripping over a root, I was quickly reminded that I could no longer just bob along, marveling at the scenery. The trail had more people that I expected but it wasn't crowded. I hung with a couple of guys about my age until they took a break to remove a layer.

Given the stuff on the path, it was hard to enjoy the forest and scenery as you walked, unless you wanted to eat dirt. The first major climb was a good workout and it went over a mountain which intersected Sunrise lakes Trail. Unfortunately, you have to give up a good part of the elevation gain you just fought for from this point, but there is a reward. Just as the trail levels out, you pass buy a small pond. With no wind, it was the most pristine mirror I've ever seen.

After a short bit of level ground, you are back in the climb, and you don't get a break till you reach the summit. You will get a good look at the rock that will be your summit from the trail if you remember to look up. The very last part of the trail is covered in large talus with affixed granite. It felt a bit sketchy but you can easily stay safe once you look at it. I was pretty stoked to be on-top to take in the views and get this thing activated since it will be another unique for me. I setup down on the south side away from people and worked several summit-to-summit stations, people on both coasts of the US, and a station in France.

I was feeling pretty good and was considering hitting Gaylor on the way back to camp... but first I need to get back to the car. I had been eating and had a PB&J sandwich on the summit so I was ready to roll. What I didn't factor in was that I had some up-hill to do to get back and then the final descent, which included a lot of non-simple trail around small rocks and granite steps. All of this required constant attention and gave my feet a real pounding and it take a lot out of you. I realized quickly that a second summit was out of the question.Once at the car, I downed a couple of Gatorade and started back. No way in hell could I hit a second summit. The drive back was a battle to stay alert, which is required as I went out the north gate and down a VERY steep ledge road with sheer cliffs and no guard rails.

When I got back to camp, I was whipped. I worked to quickly setup my sleeping quarters with the tent over the back of the car. At this point I was absolutely gutted. I checked the coffee bag to see if it was decaf... AND IT WAS DECAF!!! I was too tired to go into the store just down the road to get some real coffee, and I had to force myself to eat something before I laid down. I did a quick bag of fettuccini Alfredo and zoned out for about an hour in my bed. Feeling better, I did the final routine for bed and was out before 9. I slept well. According to my Apple Watch, I slept like a piece of granite (that I'll be stepping over on the next summit).

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