Rae Lakes Loop

Hike Name: Rae Lakes Loop Location: central CA Length: 46 Submitted by: Andrew Gravano Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more California trail reviews California national parks California state parks
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Description
This hike has many options of duration. You can hike for 3 or more days. I have heard of this hike being completed in less than three days, but I don't sugest it unless you are in great condition and have good knowledge of your surroundings. I will be refering to this hike as a 5 day 4 night adventure. You begin the hike at a few miles past Ceder Grove, at Roads End. The first two miles are a great warm-up due to the level ground and clear terrain. At the end of the first two miles you reach a cross roads at this point you choose the direction of the loop. The most common route is clockwise, starting off going to the left. This is the direction which I will be refering to for the rest of the description. Once you leave the cross roads, you begin uphill and proceed to mist falls. Mist falls is a great place to stop and take lunch. After a few more hours you will reach Paradise Valley. You can camp in only marked stalls in Paradise Valley, which may fill up quickly so be sure to reach there early enough to proceed forward if need be. There are three sections of Paradise Valley Upper, Middle and Lower. You can choose to camp at any of these, but again be sure to prepare for the sites being full. The next day you will again proceed up hill for most of the day, with a few slight downhills. The second night will be spent at a camp located on the other side of the only suspension bridge on the loop. Continue on the third day up hill. The third day is the shortest, only six miles, but it takes most of the day due to the extreme uphills. Spend the night at one of the Rae Lakes, preferably the last one if you have the time to get there before nightfall. Be prepared for unusual weather patterns in this area, it can rain at any time of the yea, and winds can reach dangerous speeds. The fourth day is very physical, if you have the time, I suggest resting at Rae Lakes for a day and continuing on the next day. Once you begin up the hill to Glenn Pass, you will be going up 2000ft in elevation. Take it slow, espically if you are not in the best shape. If you leave at a relativly good time in the morning, say 9 am, then you should reach the top about 1 pm. The rest of the trip is mainly down hill. Be careful on the down hill, it is steep and ankles can easily be twisted. The last night will be spending the night at Bubbs Creek or Junction Meadow. The last day is approximatly 14 miles, but it can be easily done in the better part of half a day. This is a great trail and as long as you keep your head a relativly safe one.

Directions to Hike
Leave Fresno on Freeway 180 traveling east. This will take you to Kings Canyon National Park. When 180 branches off inside the park make sure to head into Knogs Canyon and not Sequoia. Follow the curves around and you will eventually wind up at Roads End, where you will begin the hike.

Contact Information
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
P.O. Box 789
Three Rivers, CA 93271
209-565-3134

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