(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. Like walking on the edge of a sharp knife - in geological scale. To top it off, the last 1/2 mile or so to reach the top of Clouds Rest - very steep drops on *both* sides of the trail. At a higher elevation (near 10,000 feet), a climb of 2000+feet, 8 miles in, 8 miles back (total of 16 miles on one day). These 2 hikes have very different characteristics/profiles.Ĭlouds Rest is quite a bit harder. Same goes for the hike to North Dome, are you thinking of coming from the Tioga Road side or from the valley? Edited: 7 years agoĪssuming you are hiking up to Clouds Rest from the trail head near Tanaya Lake (most people do). We camped there one night a few years back and watched the climber lights on the face of Half Dome after the sun set.Īre you thinking of hiking to Clouds Rest from near Tioga Road/Tenaya Lake or were you thinking of hiking to it from the valley floor itself? That's a looong grueling climb lol. From there the trail works its way up to the top of North Dome with amazing views of Half Dome across the way. The hike to the top of North Dome begins near Mirror Lake with a set of switchbacks that go straight up to the rim of the valley. The view is spectacular ( I spent one looong night on Clouds Rest with altitude sickness but it was incredible to watch the sun set and rise on Half Dome) and there is no water available at the top. There is heavy duty elevation gain on both with Clouds Rest being about 1000 feet higher then the top of Half Dome. Are you planning on hiking either of these completely in one day? From experience I can tell you their both long hauls up and down.

Clouds rest vs half dome