The trip was excellent - Clouds Rest is loaded with places to camp about 1/2 mile before you get to the top - but that wasn't where we camped - Two guys passed our group on the way up and told us they were going to camp on top - We thought "Why not?" - Mind you I was completely clueless as to the camping forbiddances on top of Clouds Rest at the time except for the obvious one stated in the post that you need to be 100 feet away from the trail - I wasn't thinking - Mea Culpa! - But we had an absolutely awesome time up there that night - The weather was pristine - I was surprised at the light pollution coming from Fresno - Thought we would be far enough away to avoid it - We cowboy camped amidst plenty of places nestled in the rocks and there were several other people up there beside us. The views were spectacular at sunset and sunrise.
The next night I camped at LYV and spoke with a ranger about sleeping on Clouds Rest - He didn't make any mention that it is not allowed to me but instead stated that he really always wanted to do that and he seemed genuinely happy for us - Go figure.
Of Course if we had realized we weren't allowed to do that, we would have found a campsite on the way up - I'm pretty good about following the rules (hardest being packing out TP IMHO)
But I have to say, it was a lifetime experience that we will never forget - 2 of the hikers with us were visiting from Boston and were on their first visit to Yosemite - They had quite the Yosemite experience - They tell me they still talk about it 8 months later.
Won't make it to the park this Summer - I am hiking the southern section of the JMT with my daughter (in sections) It's quite the bear getting exit permits at Whitney Portal - One ranger is telling me my best bet is to come a day early and be part of the 40% who walk in which may be fine for the trailhead but what about the additional exit permit that you need to have now? - I also heard about the exit permit at Donahue Pass when leaving Yosemite - 10 per day - Finished that 1 1/2 years ago so I'm glad I beat the permit hassle on that.