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| Backpack | 52.00 Miles |
6,943 AEG |
| | Backpack | 52.00 Miles | 6 Days | | |
| 6,943 ft AEG | | 45 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | We did the Rae Lakes Loop from the Onion Valley Trail head last week. I will add some pics shortly.
Day 1: Left the trail head at Onion Valley and headed over Kearsarge Pass then down to Junction Meadow it was about 10 miles. Heavy packs to start with made the climb up to the pass a challenge. The down hill beat up my knees. The views had me in awe from the start. Great camp site up the trail to East Lake. Just across Bubbs Creek. Caught all Brown trout in Bubbs Creek.
Day 2: Junction Meadow to Lower Paradise Valley about 12 miles. This was an enjoyable morning cruising through great trail and shade. Views for days and good times... then you reach the junction where Roads end comes in and you are greeted with lots of people. We stopped for lunch in this area and continued on. The climb up to Paradise valley was slow for me. Stock up on water before heading into this area. It was in the sun and hot all afternoon with limited access to filter water. I ran too low and got over heated. We were lucky enough to get our eyes on a mamma bear and her cub, followed by a large healthy male. Fishing was great with all rainbows and some dispute over some golden caught.
Day 3: Lower Paradise Valley to Woods Creek Trail JMT junction. About 10 miles. A flat start to a steady climb up to the suspension bridge. Upper Paradise Valley would have been worth it to push up to in hind site. Its a pretty flat couple miles but I was done the day before. Good campsites in this area and enjoyed chatting with a few thru hikers and various other wanderers. Fishing is good all through here.
Day 4: Woods Creek Trail to Rae Lakes. Uhh about 7 ish? Its a good climb up to dollar lake then pretty chill climb up to the rae lakes area. I loved this area. Fishing was good with all brook trout. The views around the lake and of fin dome are amazing..
Day 5: Rae Lakes to Kearsarge Lakes. Maybe like 6 miles. Setting ourselves up to get over Glenn Pass but not having to do two passes in a day, we stayed at Kearsarge Lakes on our last night. Glenn Pass wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. We all made quick work of the day and settled into the zoo that is Kearsarge Lakes. This place gets busy on the weekends. Regardless its a good place to be. Fished away the afternoon and relaxed.
Day 5: Kearsarge Lakes to Onion Valley trailhead. Out of camp about 6:30 and to the top of the pass a bit before 8.. then down to the truck where a cooler of beer awaited. Had one and the drive back home began.
What I learned is for me 10 miles a day in the Sierra Nevada is a respectable days walk... there isn't a dang flat spot in that area, toenails are overrated.
I was told this loop is a good intro into the sierra nevadas and I would agree. This was an enjoyable trip, great group of fellas and great fishing. Plan on catching small fish the whole time but you will be rewarded with beautiful colored up wild trout that fight like nothing. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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