Rae Lakes Loop: Your Ultimate Backpacking Guide

Yosemite National Park is typically the first choice made by backpackers who travel to California. But if you’re looking for something equally beautiful but a little less crowded, you must backpack the Rae Lakes Loop.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains of California are home to King’s Canyon National Park. The Rae Lakes Loop is one of the most popular backpacking trails in this park, however, it still receives much less foot traffic in comparison to Yosemite.

How Many Days Do I Need For Rae Lakes Loop Trail?

The quick answer is that it depends! I completed the loop over the course of three nights and four days, which divided it into four sections of about ten miles each. Which, in my opinion, was a good pace that kept things interesting but challenging and allowed me to have enough time to take pictures of the various lakes and peaks. I don’t like to feel as though I spent the entire day hiking and didn’t have time to enjoy the evening or the following morning at camp. Therefore, for how I like to backpack, it was a nice length trip.

The number of miles (and elevation gain) you feel comfortable covering in a day, the weight of your pack, and the amount of time you want to spend in the backcountry are all factors to consider when planning your trip. My recommendation is scheduling this hike for 3–4 nights.

Where Can I Get A Trail Permit For Rae Lakes Loop?

If you intend to travel via Bubbs Creek or Woods Creek, all permit applications must be submitted online through the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park website. Inyo National Forest is where you must go to obtain your permit if you intend to travel via Kearsarge Pass.

The NPS website provides a step-by-step application process that makes it simple to submit an application for Kings Canyon trailheads. Check the Trailhead Availability page to see if the route you want to take is even open before proceeding. Next, submit your reservation for a wilderness permit for the desired route and dates.

Although it’s not a requirement on the reservation form, the ranger will call you and ask you where you’ll be camping so be prepared when they do. They’ll ask you this before sending you an email with your official permit. Before leaving, print this page and pack it with you.

What Trailhead Do I Take For Rae Lakes Loop?

The Bubbs Creek Trail, Woods Creek Trail, and Kearsarge Pass are the three main entry points for hiking the Rae Lakes Loop Trail. The first two can be found in Kings Canyon National Park at Road’s End. Those were the two I was debating between; keep in mind that using Kearsarge will significantly increase the lenght of the hike.

It’s common to refer to Woods Creek as the clockwise route and Bubbs Creek as the counterclockwise route. I decided to travel throughvia Paradise in a clockwise direction. This route appealed to me because it gradually gains elevation over the course of (in my case) four days. I would therefore, theoretically, have a lighter pack by the time I was prepared to summit Glen Pass (after eating 2 days worth of the food I packed).

After Glen Pass, the switchbacks are almost entirely downhill and seem to go on forever. I was therefore relieved not to be climbing that portion. It is possible to move counterclockwise, but you should be prepared for some arduousness.

Consider yourself lucky, whichever route you choose, as obtaining a permit to this stunning area of the Sierra can be difficult!

Where Can Backpackers Park?

There is plenty of parking at Road’s End, but you should try to arrive there early the morning before you set out because it is also a well-liked spot for day hikes. If the main parking lot at the trailhead is full when you arrive, try the other two smaller lots by going back out the way you came.

Beware Of The Following Animals

On this trail, bears have a reputation for being very active. It is necessary to have approved Bear canisters. You must check-in at the ranger station before beginning your hike in order for them to verify that you have a bear canister. You must rent one from the ranger station if you don’t already have one.

Rattlesnakes should also be avoided during the warmer months. They like to curl up under rocks, so tread carefully when crossing them.

During the hours of dusk, mosquitoes are also prevalent. Bring bug repellent with you to keep these pests away from you and your food.

In addition to that, you might also see deer, birds, squirrels, rabbits, and more!

Safety And Other Needed Information

All along the route, water is almost always available. The longest distance without any water is 5.5 miles. Refill your water at areas where the stream is flowing, and don’t forget to bring your water filtering system.

On this trail, heatstroke and altitude sickness are constant risks. At one point, you will rise to a height of 11,998 feet. To avoid these, please exercise caution, drink plenty of water, and move slowly. As you probably already know, it is advised that you be in good shape before attempting this loop. Remember that you are hiking at a high altitude and carrying a 40-pound bag at the same time.

Can you have campfires on the Rae Lakes Loop?

Campfires are permitted on Rae Lakes Loop sections lower than 10,000 feet, provided that current fire regulations permit it. Because of the elevation restriction, fires are never allowed on the portion of the trail that begins close to Dollar Lake (including Rae Lakes) and ends close to lower Vidette Meadow (if traveling clockwise). Follow the minimum impact principles when starting a fire in an approved area, use only existing fire rings, and make sure the fire is repeatedly doused, cold to the touch, and completely out before going to bed. Before venturing out, confirm with a ranger all current restrictions.

When to backpack the Rae Lakes Loop

Early June through October are the hiking seasons for the Rae Lakes Loops. During the peak of summer, the sun is intense at this altitude in the high Sierra, and thunderstorms could be dangerous. Glen Pass is covered in snow in the early season, and there is a chance that you will have to cross a dangerous river. Temperatures start to fall in the fall, and snowfall chances increase. For information on conditions if traveling early or late in the year, contact the wilderness office. The trail will experience high traffic year-round.

When to backpack the Rae Lakes Loop

Where Can I Camp Along Rae Lakes Trail?

It’s important to keep in mind that you cannot camp within 100 feet of lakes, rivers, or creeks when choosing your campsites (in addition to leaving no trace, of course). Additionally, Lower Paradise Valley is currently closed to camping for a short period of time. The most recent list of any additional specific closures is typically available on the NPS website.

So, keeping those regulations and restrictions in mind, this is where I decided to set up camp each night:

Upper Paradise Valley
Middle Rae Lake
Charlotte Creek

What Should I Pack?

In addition to the typical backpacking equipment and necessities, the following are the main items that I believe you’d regret being without:

Sunscreen: There isn’t a lot of shade after Upper Paradise Valley. So you can protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, a hat, or even a thin long sleeve shirt. more so in the summer.
Bear Canister: There are two sizes available, but I always bring the larger bear canister when backpacking in the Sierra. This is where you should keep your food and anything else that smells (so toothpaste, toothbrush, chapstick, deodorant, etc).
Bug Spray: a requirement when backpacking in California during the summer. Although the mosquito population begins to decline in August, Charlotte Creek continued to experience heavy and persistent mosquitoes.
Calorically Dense Food: This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how few calories some backpacking meals contain. To make sure you have enough food to last you while you’re out there, check the nutrition facts on the back of your backpacking meals. I enjoy bringing calorically dense dried backpacking meals.
Electrolytes: These are available as portable electrolyte powders, which are useful when you’re perspiring a lot and can help you avoid headaches and cramps.