Sunrise Lakes Trail

Description:

• This trail begins from the Tenaya Lake Trailhead along Tioga Road slightly west of the lake. Follow the paved access road from the trailhead parking area across the outlet of Tenaya Lake to a trail junction. Bear right at this junction to reach Sunrise Lakes.

  The trail leads westward for a short distance following Tenaya Creek then turns sharply southeastward. Within a half mile of the trail junction this route descends slightly to cross the outlet of Mildred Lake. Shortly beyond this stream crossing the trail fords the outlets creeks of upper, middle and lower Sunrise Lakes. After leaving the third creek, switchbacks begin, then the trail climbs to a junction. Turn left at this junction to reach Sunrise Lakes. (The right side of the fork leads to Clouds Rest.) The trail descends slightly to reach the northern shore of lower Sunrise Lakes within a quarter mile of the junction. There are a few small campsites on the shores of the lower lake. To reach middle Sunrise Lake, the least visited of these lakes, continue hiking eastward.Upper Sunrise Lake lies over a slight rise, 150 feet, on the trail from the middle lake. It is the largest of the three lakes and the most popular for camping. Several large camping sites lie on the northern shore of upper Sunrise Lake.