Rae Lakes Loop

Lower Paradise Valley Temporary Camping Closure

Due to the number of dead trees in this area, camping is temporarily prohibited in the designated Lower Paradise Valley camp sites. This closure will remain in effect until sites can be inspected and hazard trees removed.

 

Bridge washed out along the Rae Lakes Loop

The South Fork Kings River Bridge above Paradise Valley washed out during the winter of 2016-2017. Construction of a replacement bridge will not begin before 2021. Depending on conditions, crossing the South Fork of the Kings River can be extremely hazardous. Observe conditions carefully and then evaluate the risk of crossing. Be prepared to turn back. If you hike the Rae Lakes Loop beginning from Bubbs Creek, plan for the possibility that you may have to backtrack to safely reach Cedar Grove. While we can not forecast exact conditions trips attempting to cross this area may not be possible until sometime in July. 

 

The Rae Lakes Loop is one of the most popular hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, if not in the entire Sierra. The loop is 41.4 miles long, and climbs from 5035' (1535m) at the trailhead to 11,978' (3651m) at Glen Pass. It is most often accessed via the Wood's Creek trailhead (clockwise) or the Bubb's Creek trailhead (counter clockwise). 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. Because this is such a popular hike, there are certain restrictions along this trail:

• Camping in Lower Paradise Valley is permitted only in designated campsites. (See temporary closure)
• Camping in Paradise Valley is limited to two nights.
• Camping at Rae Lakes is limited to one night per lake.
• Camping at Charlotte Lake is limited to two nights.
• Bullfrog Lake, east of the trail between Vidette Meadow and Glen Pass, is closed to all camping, grazing and stock travel.
• There is a two night camping limit at Kearsarge Lakes (east of Bullfrog).
• Campfires are prohibited above 10,000' (3048m).
• Bears have been very active along this trail, and were successful at getting food that was hung in trees. Hikers are required to carry portable bear-resistant canisters.This has proved very successful at preventing bears from accessing food. (The permanent metal food-storage boxes are only for use by thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail.)

Pets and wheeled vehicles are not allowed on any park trails.

Stock is permitted on this trail, but grazing is restricted in certain areas. Please review the stock use regulations and check the grazing dates if you are planning a stock trip to this area.

Distances Along the Rae Lakes Loop

Point	Miles from Road's End via Paradise	Miles from Road's End via Bubbs
Road's End	0	41.4
Paradise/Bubbs Jct.	1.9	39.5
Mist Falls (no camping)	3.9	37.5
Lower Paradise (first campsite )	5.7	35.7
Middle Paradise	6.8	34.6
Upper Paradise	10	31.3
Woods Creek Crossing	15.7	25.7
Dollar Lake	19.7	21.7
Rae Lakes	22.7	18.7
Glen Pass	24.6	16.8
Charlotte Lake Junction	26.7	14.7
Vidette Meadow	28.2	13.2
Junction Meadow	31.1	10.3
Charlotte Creek	33.9	7.5
Sphinx Junction (last campsite )	37.5	4.1
Paradise/Bubbs Jct.	39.4	1.9
Road's End	41.4	0.0

 

Looking out from Glen Pass

Ali Kim