Hiking Yosemite: Clouds Rest – Before the First Step

I haven’t hiked Clouds Rest yet.

But I’ve been looking forward to it since I climbed Half Dome. And now that I’m getting ready to go, I’m realizing how much enjoyment a hike can give you before you ever reach the trailhead.

I’m thinking about the distance. The elevation gain. A night in the wilderness before heading for the summit the next morning.

And, of course, that view.

If you’re waiting for me to say I’m nervous, I’m going to disappoint you.

I’m excited.

From Someday to Soon

There’s a difference between a hike you’d like to do and a hike you’re about to do.

For a while, Clouds Rest belonged in the first category. It was one of those places I wanted to reach someday, something that had stayed on my list since Half Dome.

“Someday” gives you plenty of room. You can think about a hike, appreciate a picture of it and leave the actual walking for another time.

But when someday starts becoming soon, the thought changes.

I’m going to hike that.

There will be a day when I put on my pack and start covering the distance I’ve been thinking about. The climbing will become actual climbing. Eventually, I’ll get to find out what this experience is like for myself.

That’s a pretty good thing to have ahead of you.

Looking Forward to the Effort

The view is a big part of why I want to go. I won’t pretend otherwise.

But it isn’t the only part.

I’m also excited about the distance and the elevation gain—the accomplishment of putting in the effort to reach somewhere I’ve wanted to stand for a long time.

Apparently, my idea of something to look forward to includes walking uphill with a pack.

I’m comfortable with that.

There’s a particular satisfaction in working toward a destination that means something to you. Clouds Rest already means something to me, even though I haven’t been there yet. It has spent enough time on my list that finally making the trip feels like an accomplishment worth anticipating.

I know I’ll have to do the walking before I get to celebrate it.

That’s part of what I’m looking forward to.

A Night Between the Trailhead and the Summit

Then there’s the overnight part of the adventure.

Before the morning summit, there will be a night in the wilderness. And that deserves some of the excitement, too.

I like knowing this hike will have that space in the middle: time to stop for the night, be out there and still have the summit ahead of me when morning comes.

In my mind, the trip already has two things to look forward to.

There’s the experience of spending the night in the wilderness. Then there’s waking up with Clouds Rest still waiting.

I don’t know yet what I’ll remember most about that night. I haven’t lived it.

But I’m enjoying looking forward to it.

The View I Haven’t Seen Yet

I’ve written quite a bit in this series about places I’ve already been—what the trail felt like, what surprised me and what stayed with me afterward.

This time, I don’t have those answers.

I can’t tell you what will catch my attention along the way or what my first thought will be when I reach the summit. I can picture looking out from Clouds Rest, but I haven’t had that moment yet.

That’s part of the appeal.

There’s still an experience ahead of me that I get to discover for the first time.

When I wrote about North Dome, I found myself thinking about how Yosemite’s views don’t need to compete with each other. Each one gives you something different.

Now I have another perspective to look forward to.

And after wanting to do this since Half Dome, I’m excited to finally find out what Clouds Rest looks like from Clouds Rest.

Enjoying This Part, Too

The story of the actual hike will have to wait until I’ve taken it.

Right now, I’m in the part where thinking about the trip makes me happy. The distance, the climb, the overnight stay and the summit are all still ahead of me.

I don’t want to hurry past that just because I haven’t reached the trailhead yet.

There’s something enjoyable about having an adventure on the calendar—especially one that has lived on your list for a while. You get to carry that excitement through otherwise ordinary days.

Clouds Rest is giving me that right now.

I haven’t taken the first step, and I’m already glad I decided to go.

Trail Truth

Some of the joy of hiking comes afterward, when you think about where you went and what you accomplished.

Some of it comes beforehand, when you realize something you’ve wanted to do is finally getting close.

Right now, I’m looking forward to a night in the wilderness, a morning climb and a view I’ve wanted to see since Half Dome.

There’s a lot of walking between here and there.

I can’t wait.

And remember, the trail doesn’t end here. Sometimes, the next stretch is already giving you something to smile about.

So until next time, get outside, take the scenic route, and make a few memories. After all, that’s what the best adventures are really about. We’ll see you in the next edition of Hiking Yosemite.