If you're seeking a challenge with a picturesque payoff, Sunrise Lakes won't disappoint.

Indeed, a beautiful place to see a sunrise, the lakes at Sunrise reflect the colors in the sky as well as the domed peaks that surround it. There is also a High Sierra Camp located at Sunrise, whose origin dates back to 1916, the earliest days of the National Park Service.

Sunrise Lakes (strenuous)

10.4 mi (16.7 km) round-trip; 6-8 hours
1,300 ft (396 m) elevation gain

Other hiking destinations accessible from this trailhead include Clouds Rest, Half Dome, and Yosemite Valley.

For hiking and trail information, please visit a wilderness center or visitor center.

Hours

Accessible only while Tioga Road is open to vehicles, from late May or early June to sometime in November.

Getting Here

Begin at the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead parking area, just west of Tenaya Lake, on Tioga Road.

Rules & Regulations

• Stay on established trails
• Pets are not allowed on hiking trails
• Pack out what you pack in
• Overnight backpackers need a wilderness permit, which can be obtained at the Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center.
• Bear canisters are required for wilderness food storage for overnight hikers.
• Bears and other wildlife can be present on trails at any time of the day or night. Feeding and approaching wildlife is dangerous and illegal! Be sure to properly store your food.
• No oversized vehicles on road to parking area.
• Tioga Road closes after the first significant snowfall. Overnight parking on this road ends October 15. For current road and weather information, please call (209) 372-0200.

Hazards & Warnings

• Carry (and drink) plenty of water: a leading cause of injuries on the trail is dehydration. Be sure to treat river, stream, lake, or spring water.
• Always carry a map and compass, and know how to use them, and wear sturdy footwear with good traction.
• Be prepared for sudden changes in weather and conditions.

Accessibility

This trail is not accessible.