In short, it is a must do backpacking trip! The traditional Rae Lakes Loop measures 42 miles from Roads End in Kings Canyon National Park. Some hike it clockwise starting towards the north, while others hike it counter-clockwise starting towards the east. It is typically completed in
four days
.
How long is Rae Lakes Loop?
The loop is
41.4 miles
long, and climbs from 5035′ (1535m) at the trailhead to 11,978′ (3651m) at Glen Pass. High water at stream crossings can be a problem in May and early June. Glen Pass may be impassable to hikers until mid-late July and even later for stock.
How hard is the Rae Lakes Loop?
Try this 39.10 mile, loop trail near Cedar Grove, California.
Generally considered a challenging route
, it takes an average of 18 h 22 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.
How do you prepare for Rae Lakes Loop?
- #1: Start Early. The days will be long and hard, and there are a lot of exposed sections. …
- #2: Be Prepare for Storms. Both times I’ve done this trail, it’s rained on me. …
- #3: Bring Bear Canisters. …
- #4: Train, Train and Train Some More. …
- #5: Stretch Daily.
How long is Kearsarge Pass?
| Current Conditions: Weather | Reservations: Reserve up to 6 months in advance at www.Recreation.gov |
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Do you need a permit to hike Kearsarge Pass?
If you choose to hike all the way to Kearsarge Pass, the mileage is 4.8 miles one way.
If you plan to make this hike an overnight trip, you will need to obtain a permit at an Inyo National Forest ranger station or visitor center
. Between May 1 and November 1, overnight use is limited to 60 people per day.
Do you need a permit for Rae Lakes Loop?
Permits for Rae Lakes are issued at the Road’s End station located alongside the trail
. Permits can only be picked up during permit station operating hours. There are no night drops. Road’s End permit station in Cedar Grove is usually open from 7:00 AM to 2:45 or 3:30 PM.
What is the entry point for Rae Lakes Loop?
WHAT TRAILHEAD DO I TAKE FOR RAE LAKES LOOP? There’s three main entry trails you can choose from for hiking the Rae Lakes Loop Trail – Bubbs Creek Trail, Woods Creek Trail, and Kearsarge Pass. You’ll find the first two located at
Road’s End in Kings Canyon National Park
.
Can you swim in Rae Lakes?
Rae Lake is often completed as a day-hike, however it is a great place for a quick backpacking trip. Lying at the base of gigantic Mount Rae, Rae Lake is a wonderful place to spend a night,
take a swim
, and admire the wildflowers and larch forest on nearby ridges.
Where is the High Sierra Trail?
The High Sierra Trail (HST) is a hiking trail in
Sequoia National Park, California
. The trail crosses the Sierra Nevada from west to east.
Is Onion Valley open?
| Closest Towns: Independence, CA | Water: Potable Water | Restroom: Vault Toilets |
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How long is Bubbs Creek trail?
Discover this
24.6-mile
out-and-back trail near Hume, California. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 31 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
How high is Glen Pass?
11,926′
Are there bear boxes at Kearsarge Lakes?
One regular box at the southwest corner of the Kearsarge Lake
second nearest to Kearsarge Pass, about 50 feet from the water.
Where are Kearsarge Lakes?
The trailhead for Kearsarge Pass and Kearsarge Lakes is located at
Onion Valley Campground
. Onion Valley Campground is reached via U.S. Route 395 and the town of Independence, which is right between Lone Pine and Bishop. In Independence, you’ll see the historic courthouse and post office located on Market St.
Are dogs allowed on Kearsarge Pass?
Dogs are allowed on trail up to Kearsarge Pass
(4.5 miles from the trailhead). However, as you continue west over the pass you enter Sequoia National Park, which means pets are not allowed on trail. Starting at 9,190 feet, you ascend the mountainside on easy-going switchbacks.
Can you camp at Kearsarge Lakes?
For your second day/night, you have a couple of options. Per park restrictions,
you can spend up to two nights at Kearsarge Lakes
. If you opt to keep your base camp here, you can complete the looping hike to and from Charlotte Lake as a dayhike.
What state is Mt Whitney in?
Mount Whitney, highest peak (14,494 feet [4,418 metres] above sea level) in the 48 coterminous U.S. states. It is the culminating summit of the
Sierra Nevada
. In eastern California on the Inyo-Tulare county line, the peak is at the eastern border of Sequoia National Park, immediately west of the city of Lone Pine.
What is the elevation of Onion Valley Campground?
Onion Valley is about 15 miles west of in downtown Independence, at an elevation of about
9,600 feet
.
How do you backpack Rae Lakes Loop?
To hike the Rae Lakes Loop, you will need to
obtain a wilderness permit from Kings Canyon National Park
(managed conjointly with Sequoia National Park). The quota period for permits is currently May 16th to September 26th (at time of writing).
When should I hike the High Sierra Trail?
Best Time To Hike The Trail
Whitney, most High Sierra Trail thru-hikes take place in the months of
July and August
. Spring conditions on the trail can leave hikers with long, exposed sections of snow and dangerous stream crossings, a greater hazard with colder water, and higher flows, common during that time of year.
What is the big Seki loop?
The Big SEKI Loop is
a 155-mile loop in the High Sierra in California that can be modified in multiple ways
. The route was created originally as an alternative to the John Muir Trail and can be hiked in 7-17 days. Region: Pacific West (Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, California)
