Rae Lakes Loop

Overview

Rae Lakes Loop begins at Roads End in Kings Canyon National Park.  The loop covers 46 miles on well established trail, begins at an elevation of 5035 feet and peaks at an elevation of 11,978 at Glen Pass. The hike gets its name from the Rae Lakes region which is the approximate midpoint of this hike.  Although a clockwise progression on the loop appears to be more popular, it can also be hiked in a counterclockwise progression.  The National Park Service has this to say about this hike:  “The Rae Lakes Loop is one of the most popular hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, if not in the entire Sierra.”  A typical time for completing this hike is 4-5 days, although some people rush it through in 3.

Rae Lakes viewed from Glen Pass

Getting There

The hike begins at Roads End which is where CA-180 ends in Kings Canyon National Park. CA-180 can be accessed from Fresno, which is probably the most direct route.  CA-180 can also be accessed from Visalia by either using CA-245 or CA-98 to eventually join up with CA-180.  The road to Roads End is only open the summer.

Route Description

This hike has a variety of things to see.  Whether you go clockwise or counterclockwise, you will first begin on a level patch of roughly two miles that leads out from Road's End and then you will either begin a northerly route leg up through Paradise Valley or continue heading on an easterly route leg along Bubbs Creek.  Each of these route legs has a relatively slow but steady elevation gain.  The northerly route leg connects up with another route leg that proceeds in an easterly direction until it crosses Woods Creek where it then joins a fourth route leg that proceeds in a southerly direction until it joins up with the route leg proceeding along Bubbs Creek.  Thus, after the initial first two miles, the trail has four route legs, of approximately similar lengths, that proceed in defined directions along easy to follow trail.  There is only one pass in this hike, Glen Pass, so everything after Glen Pass, in either direction, is roughly downhill until Road's End.  This makes planning of campsites relative to Glen Pass, whichever direction, the key to daily segments.  Rae Lakes is north of Glen Pass, and definitely a nice place to camp.  Campsites along Paradise Valley are restricted by National Park regulations. The segment from Woods Creek crossing to Vidette Meadow is very scenic with a number of lakes, including Rae Lakes and Charlotte Lake, and it includes Glen Pass; this segment also includes a portion of the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Coast Trail and can be the starting point for a number of interesting side excursions from the Rae Lakes Loop.  Also, Mount Clarence King is circumnavigated by this route.

Charlotte Lake seen from Rae Lakes Loop trail

This picture was taken from the campsite at Woods Creek Crossing at dusk.

The prominent mountain in the left of this picture is Painted Lady. The picture is taken from Rae Lakes.

View taken at Junction Meadow at dusk.

Bear cannisters are required on this route, and for good reason.  Bears are very active, and often encountered.

Fin Dome seen from Rae Lakes

The following table contains distances for this loop quoted from the National Park Service:

This picture is taken on the Rae Lakes Loop, going counterclockwise, early on the Bubbs Creek trail.

Bubbs Creek along Rae Lakes Loop

This picture is looking south across the Woods Creek Crossing

The following topo shows the trail for this loop hike:

View taken at Junction Meadow at dusk.

View along Rae Lakes Loop between Junction Meadow and Vidette Meadow

The Sphinx is seen in the middle of this picture taken looking down Paradise Valley

This picture is taken along the Rae Lakes Loop between Glen Pass and Charlotte Lake, looking back toward the trail when traveling on a counterclockwise route

This picture shows Fin Dome as you are approaching Rae Lakes from the north

This picture looks south from Rae Lakes

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