Binoculars in the Backcountry: Clouds Rest

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Clouds Rest

Hike track link (one way)
ebird list 1
ebird list 2

I did it! Aw hahahahahaha!!!!! Why should I be so excited, thrilled and disbelieving? Because there is a narrow sketchy spot near the top that I never thought I'd be able to do with my fear of heights, and yet I did it! Aw hahahahahaha!!!!! And it is gorgeous, and I would do it again.

One of the views from the top, Half Dome and across the valley North Dome

So how did this come about? I certainly didn't suggest the hike. Our friend Hikin' Bill did, and Bob immediately seconded it. I decided at the least I could get close, so I went with some trepidation.

The trail undulates with a steep rocky up and down in the middle. We had a few nice patches of flowers along the way as well. At about the halfway point some peek a boo views start showing. Then finally, the top of Cloud's Rest hove into view. It is a small rocky outcrop from this angle, not at all what it appears from across the valley. It is all views from that point on. In fact you can dance along a narrow granite ridge for a quarter of a mile. I didn't do that. I hung along the left edge, only getting on the ridge when I had to. I held Bob's hand on the way up with a death grip that probably drained all the blood out of his fingers for days. But on the way down, I did it all by myself! How did I do this? Because I suddenly became brave and unafraid of heights? Not likely. I just looked at my feet and nothing else until I was back in the dirt. And I did it! Aw hahahahahaha!!!!