Rae Lakes Loop - Kings Canyon National Park

Within the rugged back country of majestic Kings Canyon National Park, lies a beautiful 46 mile hike popularly known as the Rae Lakes Loop.

This hike has been on my ever-growing to-do list, since I ever started one. I have applied, gotten approved and cancelled a permit a couple of times due to various reasons before finally being able to complete it and then repeated. Because it's such a beautiful hike, I'd still do it all over again! The first trip was my doing and the second was an invite, and on both occasions doing the same direction and same length of days.

The loop can be done by either a clockwise direction or a counter clockwise, which I think both have its merits. I haven't completed a counter clockwise of this hike, but have hiked up to a certain point in that direction and camped at about 8 miles in.

The itinerary posted below will feature the more popular clockwise route.

Even though the trail is described as a loop, it is more of a "lollipop" kind of route. It still starts and ends at the same point, but the full circle meets with another 2 more miles to the trail head.

This hike can be done in lengths dependent on your preference of what you'd like out of the trip. I've heard of hikers doing this loop in 24 hours, some have done as an overnight. But for a more leisurely pace, 5 days is just about right and 7 days is luxurious. We had more than enough days to soak in everything with both our 7 day trips.

I'll be posting a chart below to summarize our daily mileage and elevation loss and gains with information to help plans yours!

Permit

The clockwise route, via Woods Creek Trail, is the more popular route due to the elevation you'll gain is somewhat easier than the counter clockwise route. To give a visual, on your first 8 mile hike via the clockwise route, you'd have gained about 1,600 feet of elevation. Whereas, doing the counter clockwise route, via Bubbs Creek Trail, your first 8 miles gains you about 2,225 feet elevation.

Given its popularity and if doing this hike during the peak, quota period, I strongly recommend submitting your permit applications very well in advance. I'm a stickler for this and send applications on the first day the park service opens their calendars for reservations, which is usually th 1st day of March. There are no phone reservations nor online (yet), all are required to submit via fax or mail.

I mail. I love old school mail and I love stamps!

Here's a link for a copy of the permit: Wilderness Permit Application. Please read the instructions carefully and make sure to fill out your other choices of entry dates (or places, if you prefer), in case the first doesn't pan out.

Weather

Here's a link to NOAA's website, pinpointed on the area at the start of the loop trail. Pan the map on the right hand side to get an updated weather report on a specific area of the loop.

Rae Lakes Loop's Weather @ 36.79691428429659, -118.57698440551758

Food Storage

Bear canisters are required in this area. Bring them if you already own one or rent one from several places, like your local REI store, Bearikade rents their product through their website, or you can also rent one from the Road's End permit station.

On hindsight, I should have rented one from the permit station and left my Garcia. From observation, I think the permit station rents out the ever so light Bearikade!

Although there are available bear/food lockers located by the popular places camp sites to use, these lockers should not always be relied upon. They can get filled up fast for several reasons, and especially on areas with high foot traffic and along the trail where thru-hikers pass.

Getting there

Kings Canyon National Park is in central California. The entrance can be accessed via the CA SR-180 in Fresno, CA. If you do not have a National Parks Annual (or Senior) Pass, the entrance fee to the park is $20 for one vehicle (all passengers included) or $5 per person on foot/bike, and it's valid for 7 days.

Head on straight past the entrance and take the left fork on the road when you get to the "Y". Drive straight along the 180/General's Highway and enjoy the 45 minute scenic drive to Roads End.

There are several camp grounds along the route if you'd like to arrive a day or 2 before your jump off day to acclimate especially if you're coming from sea level (like us!). And some camp grounds have coin operated shower facilities (get those quarters ready!) for those who'd like to have a last shower before giving up indoor plumbing for a few days.

Our itinerary

Road's End to Middle Paradise Valley: 8 miles - 1,596 feet of elevation gain

Middle Paradise Valley to Woods Creek Crossing: 9 miles - 1,584 feet elevation gain

Woods Creek Crossing to Rae Lake: 8 miles - 2,096 feet elevation gain

Rae Lake, Glen Pass to Charlotte Creek: 13.5 miles - 1,382 feet elevation gain/ 4,718 feet elevation loss

Charlotte Creek to Roads End: 7.5 miles - 2,225 feet elevation loss

POINT/ LOCATION	ELEVATION [IN FEET]	MILES FROM ROADS END	ELEV FROM LAST POINT	MILEAGE FROM LAST POINT	NOTES
TH - Road's End	5,035	0.0
Paradise/ Bubbs Creek Junction	5,035	2.0
Mist Falls	5,663	4.0			No camping
Lower Paradise Valley	6,600	6.0			Standard bear box
Middle Paradise Valley	6,631	8.0	1,596	8.0	Standard bear box
Upper Paradise Valley	6,916	11.0			Large + Standard bear box
Castle Dome Meadow	8,173
Woods Creek Crossing	8,500	17.0	1,584	9.0	Standard bear box
Dollar Lake/ Arrowhead Lake	10,300	22.0			Standard bear box @ Arrowhead
Lower Rae Lake	10,538
Rae Lakes	10,596	25.0	2,096	8.0	Large + Standard bear box
Glen Pass	11,978	27.5
Charlotte Lake Junction	10,619	30.0
Vidette Meadow	9,629	32.0			Standard bear box
Lower Vidette Meadow	9,482
Junction Meadow	8,156	35.0			Standard bear box
Charlotte Creek	7,260	38.5	-4,718	13.5	Standard bear box
Sphinx Creek Junction	6,316	42.0			Standard bear box
Paradise/ Bubbs Creek Junction	5,035	44.0
TH - Road's End	5,035	46.0	-2,225	7.5