| |
| Rae Lakes Loop - Kings Canyon, CA | |
|
| | Rae Lakes Loop - Kings Canyon, CA | | | |
|
|
Rae Lakes Loop - Kings Canyon, CA
| | |
|
| Backpack | 51.41 Miles |
11,358 AEG |
| | Backpack | 51.41 Miles | 5 Days | | |
| 11,358 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | The Rae Lakes Loop is a popular loop hike in Kings Canyon National Park so getting the permit was tough but 9L managed to get the paperwork in order!! We drove up the day before and camped at the Princess Campground about 45 minutes from Roads End and next mornings start point.
Day 1
Next morning we made the final drive with beautiful road through Kings Canyon to Roads End. Chumley and 9L went to pick up the permit while the rest of us finalized packing. Eventually we were all ready and headed up the Bubbs Creek Trail to start the hike. First 1.8 miles is flat until we hit the junction and the official start of the loop. Going counter clockwise we crossed a bridge after the junction and then the uphill /switchbacks to start. Like many of the NPS trails in the Sierra the trail was fantastic!! First day was about 10.5 miles and all uphill about 3500 AEG. Reaching camp we were the first on site but that wouldn’t last long. Several more groups showed up so we shared the area with the others but everybody was friendly and happy to be in camp as well.
Day 2
After a restful night at camp 1 we geared up for the biggest day of the trip. Mileage was only about 9.5 miles but the 4000 plus AEG up to 12,000 foot Glenn Pass would be a grunt. We followed the Bubbs Creek Trail and eventually linked up with the John Muir Trail. That’s when the hiker traffic increased significantly. We took a break along the creek just above the junction for the final push up Glen Pass. Took awhile to get to the pass (at least for me) but the views are stellar with great views of Rae Lakes to the north. After a nice break hiked down the other side to Rae Lakes. 9L had hiked ahead and secured a nice spot for the group. Another restful night in camp but it was much colder at elevation so staying warm was more of a challenge but we all managed.
Day 3 – 60 Lakes Day Hike
Threw on the day packs and hiked up to the 60 Lakes basin to explore an area off the JMT. It’s a little off the beaten path but there was a trail in the basin that would eventually start to disappear deeper into the day hike. The scenery is spectacular with just as the name implied many many lakes of all sizes. Took a lunch break at the turn around spot before hiking back the same way.
Back at camp 9L, Daniel and I decided to hike up to Dragon Lake. It’s little over 500 feet above Rae Lakes but it’s short around 1.5 miles round trip. Great views at the lake and definitely worth the side trip. Headed back to camp and another cool but chill night in camp.
Day 4
After the first days were all uphill this day was the longest at 15 miles but almost all downhill. Great scenery leaving Rae Lakes and then the trail drops going past Arrowhead Lake and Dollar Lake. It’s fairly steady drop about 2000 feet in 7 miles to a cool suspension bridge at Woods Creek where we regrouped and took a lunch break. It was also the end of JMT for us so we had more trail to ourselves for rest of the hike.
Break over and we continued down canyon to Paradise Valley and another bridge that had been washed out 10 years ago and never replaced. So we had a refreshing stream crossing to cool things off as it was warmer now down at about 6900 feet. We continued on for another few miles to camp around middle Paradise Valley at 6600 feet. In that few miles section we were treated to a bear sighting of mom and cub before getting to camp.
Again 9L found the camp spot for the night. We all setup and had a little happy hour on the nearby river. Nice cool water to chill in before night fall and another good night in camp.
Day 5 Exit
Last day and the only goal was to hike out with enough time left for the long drive home. About 7miles to exit and we made one stop at Mist Falls which was well worth the time. Great views along the trail in addition to the waterfall on the hike out. Eventually made it the junction and closed the loop for the last flat 1.8 miles to Roads End. Great trip as always in the Sierra….first time in Kings Canyon National Park I believe for all of us! |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
