Backpacking the Rae Lakes Loop

In this episode of "Tales of the Trails," we backpack the popular Rae Lakes Loop in 5 days. The Rae Lakes Loop is located in the California Sierra Nevada and can be accessed through Kings Canyon National Park. The loop can either be hiked clockwise or counter-clockwise. We went clockwise and covered about 48 miles total.
www.talesofthetrailsseries.com

[@gumamell]

"Nothing is impossible" I enjoyed it. Thank you. This hike is in my list.

[@TolkienLewis]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching! Happy trails!

[@SS8541SS]

Yea!!! You made it! Congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@TolkienLewis]

Oscar Bejarano Thanks, Oscar! It was a lot of fun! :)

[@anotsostealth]

Excellent video! I really enjoyed it. Glad you made it.

[@TolkienLewis]

Thanks, Kyle! Happy trails!

[@anthonyjvaughan]

Joyce-Nice little video. We just got back from my 4th trip around this awesome loop (Age 5, age 8, age 12, and age 47). I've experienced it with tons of snow like you did, and with ZERO snow this year. It is a beautiful area. Glad this happened to be your first experience in the wilderness on a backpack trip. I've got to hand it to you on your video, you sound so professional, descriptive. Keep up the adventures in your life and continue praising God for giving you the strength as well.

[@IrishCarbombs85]

I did this trip about 14 years ago and I definitely remember those darn mosquitoes! Great video, it made me want to go back and experience it again! Best of luck on your travels!

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi, Patrick! Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. When you get a chance, you should absolutely go back. Happy trails! :)

[@michellebentz3576]

so enjoyed! can't wait to explore in July!

[@TolkienLewis]

Michelle Bentz Thank you! I’m so excited for you! Enjoy your trek! :)

[@3nineteen319]

Awesome adventure. That looks like a great place for a first backpacking trip.

[@TolkienLewis]

It was! We had a blast and I would love to do it again. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

[@trwent]

Hi Joyce, This was a great trip you took. I have always avoided going out that early (early June, wow !!) due to the snow and mosquitoes. When I did the loop it was more than 20 years ago, and I did it in the opposite direction from you (counterclockwise instead of clockwise). If you ever get back up there again, you should make it a point to hike up to East Lake and Lake Reflection from Junction Meadow. You can hike up to East Lake, camp there, then day-hike up to Reflection the next day. Lake Reflection is one of the 3 or 4 most beautiful lakes in all of the High Sierra, in my estimation. And East Lake itself is also quite nice. Another great day hike from the Rae Lakes Loop is to hike up the South Fork Kings (the Muro Blanco section) from where Woods Creek comes into the South Fork. There is no trail there but the going is not that tough, and this canyon is AWESOME. You can get quite a ways when you are just day-hiking with only a light day pack on your back. Maybe I will see you on the trail sometime, take care and God bless !! PAUL

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi Paul, Thanks for your message. Great to hear from you. This was an epic adventure, but 5 days was a little too intense with a 40 LB backpack. I sucked it up because I was hiking with all guys and didn't want to be the Damsel in Distress. :) If I ever do that loop again I'll try to keep my pack under 30 lbs, which I had aimed for on this trip, however, it didn't quite work out that way. The oversized bear container almost did me in. Thanks for the tips on other lakes to visit in the area. Maybe I can talk some friends into going and just head to those lakes and not do the entire loop. I'm sure I'll see you on the trails at some point. I hike in the Sierra quite a bit during the summer months. Have a blessed day! :) Joyce

[@MovinOnBob]

Damn, I loved this video. You did such great camera work: nice slow movement so we could actually digest the scene. Some of the best shots I've seen. Thanks so much for your effort. Also, not a bad choice for your first backpacking adventure. lol

[@TolkienLewis]

Movin' On Bob Thank you so much! I had a blast making this video. This is one of the best hikes I've ever done. Also one of the toughest due to my 40-pound pack! LOL

[@byWasim]

Love it. Thanks for this. Doing this one in a couple of weeks, can't wait for it!

[@TolkienLewis]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video, Wasim. You're going to have a great time on your adventure. Just beware of mosquitoes, rattlesnakes and, above all, grouses. There might be a bear or two, but we didn't see any when we were there. Feel free to drop a note at www.talesofthetrailsseries.com after you return. I'd love to hear all about your adventure.

[@byWasim]

TolkienLewis So yeah, it all went to hell in a handbasket after I sent you that note. The irony is that everyone was afraid of planning the trip for fear of others flaking. I was the only one that didn't flake to the end. They all dropped out for different reasons. I gotta get outta L.A... Had to make a concession and heading to Big Sur next week, so I suppose it's not all bad!! Thanks for your kind reply and I look forward to your next adventure posts.

[@TolkienLewis]

I'm so sorry to hear that the trip fell through, Wasim. I know how disappointing that feels. Big Sur doesn't sound like a bad plan B, though. I know you're going to have a great time. Don't give up on the Rae Lakes Loop. That is a very popular hike and I'm sure you'll have no problem finding another group to go with who will not flake on you. All the best! :)

[@byWasim]

Yeah, me too TolkienLewis. Sucks, but it is what it is, and I must say, the trip up PCH was DEFINITELY not a bad plan B (tinyurl.com/lj2ap3q). And yup, we'll do that Rae Lakes loop. Probably apply for the permits again in the coming weeks to have them ready. Thanks again! Stay outside...

[@ThePreineja]

Nice video. I'm planing on doing this loop from Kearsarge Pass after my daughter and I finish the Shadow Creek Loop this summer.

[@TolkienLewis]

ThePreineja Thank you. Your trip sounds awesome. I’d love to hear about the Shadow Creek Loop. I have never done that one and am not familiar with it.

[@tripdog]

Hey Joice- Awesome vid! I've watched a bunch of the "Rae Lakes" vids on YT and yours was amazing. Great job on your first BP trip. Thanks for making this video. Totally inspiring. Peace. Wat what time of year did you do this again? I want a lil snow too.

[@joycebritton724]

Hi, Tom. Thanks so much for checking out the video and for your kind words. I'm really happy to know that this video was an inspiration to you. We did the loop the first weekend of June, so the snow hadn't melted out yet. It's probably completely gone by now, although the Sierra has seen quite a bit of monsoonal weather lately. When are you planning to take your trip?

[@WebfootWanderings]

I've been doing research for a possible hike on the loop next fall and I stumbled across this one. Kind of cool to see the Upper Paradise Valley bridge intact as it was washed away a couple of years after you hiked the loop. Just out of curiosity, why did you hike the loop in a clockwise direction? Trying to get perspectives on both ways of hiking it.

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi there! Thanks for watching! I’m not really sure why the leader of this trip chose the clockwise route. I was new to backpacking at the time and just went along with it. After having done it, I’m glad that we chose that route because if I’d had to descend Glen Pass in all that snow, I probably would have had to turn back. You are doing a good thing by researching and planning ahead. That is part of the journey. Embrace it!

[@patrickxdonson]

Hi Joyce!! I love your video. My friends and I want to do this sometimes this month or next. I was wondering how do you organize and plan for this trip? What do I need to do? And btw this will be our first backpacking trip haha

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi, Patrick! Thanks for your comment! I'm so excited that you are going to do this trip. It was also my first ever backpacking trip, so I went with five guys who knew what they were doing and planned everything very well. We did this trip exactly two years ago and with the amount of snow that's in the Sierra right now, I recommend that you wait until later in the month or sometime in July. I was in the Sierra last weekend and the mountains are still covered in snow. It's good that you're going with friends since this will be your first time. Try to pack as lightly as possible without omitting any of the essentials. My pack was 40 lbs and I regretted it. Try to keep your pack under 35 lbs and split the weight among your friends. For instance, if one person is bringing a stove, all of you don't need to bring one. You can share it on the trail and at camp. Bring a bug net for your face. The mosquitos were vicious until we got above the creek. REI has a great checklist for backpacking that will give you more detailed information on what to bring and how to pack. I think you can download it from their website. If you need any other advice or encouragement, just let me know. I'm excited for you! :)

[@jonathanwilliams6186]

What time of year did you complete this trail? I'm planning this hike for next month so your video has helped me get an idea of the trail and what i have to prep for. Wondering if Glenn Pass is passable in spring.

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi, Jonathan. I'm so glad the video helped you in planning your trip. We did this hike the first week of June. I would imagine that by next month Glen Pass would still have quite a bit of snow, considering that this season's winter has been about the same as the last one. I would say to be prepared with crampons, ice axe, etc. Are you doing the loop clockwise or counter-clockwise?

[@robertcimino8588]

Excellent video :) Going to do this trip late June with friends this year. Will look to take trwent's recommendation to hit East Lake and Lake Reflection if my group is up for the challenge :)

[@TolkienLewis]

Thanks, Robert. I'm glad you found this video and trwent's recommendation helpful. I know you'll have a great experience out there. Hopefully, your group will be up for the challenge. Enjoy!

[@Bam-Bam1]

hello there !do you need a permit to hike this trail? if so was it easy to get and was it same day.

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi there! Yes, you definitely need a multi-day overnight permit to do this hike, unless you do a section of it as a day hike and exit the same day. The permit must be reserved in advance.

[@nathandolenc554]

What time of year did you hike the Rae Lakes Loop? Great video!

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi, Nathan! Thank you. We hiked this during the first week of June in 2014.

[@nathandolenc554]

Tales of the Trails Thanks for the reply. We are looking to hike this within the next year. Just trying to determine the optimal time.

[@TolkienLewis]

Nathan Dolenc That’s great! Since there have been larger and more significant snowpacks in the Sierra the last couple of years, I recommend going in July or early August. That would lower your chances of snow-related issues, primarily on Glen Pass. Also, be prepared for the mosquitoes. They were pretty bad when my friends and I did this hike and I’ve heard that they are even worse now. You are doing well by researching and preparing far in advance.

[@patcassara7115]

What time of year was your hike. What month and what year. Congratulations on your finish. It looked like alot of snow thru Glens Pass.

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi, Pat. Thanks. We did this hike a couple of weeks ago, June 5-10, 2014. We did the loop clockwise so there was significant snow on the north side of Glen Pass. It was a bit treacherous, but we all made it safely over the pass. On the other side, there were a few snow fields, but it was melting pretty quickly. Are you planning to do the hike anytime soon?

[@patcassara7115]

We have a trip planned for July 13th thru the 18th. With as bad of a winter as we had I did not expect to see the amount of snow you had. We are going a month later so it should be melted by then. Congratulations on your hike. We are going clockwize also. We had made previously to Woods Creek on our first trip but now have plans to make the entire loop. Thanks for you info and the video. Great job.

[@TolkienLewis]

pat cassara Thanks, Pat. The snow should be completely melted by the time you go on your trip, but beware of mosquitoes, rattlesnakes and angry grouses. We didn't encounter any bears, but saw fresh bear scat on the other side of Glen Pass.. All the best to you on your hike. Enjoy the journey. I'd love to hear about your experience upon your return. :)

[@Pokekevin]

Great video! When time of the year did you go? I'm about to go in May. 4 days

[@TolkienLewis]

Thanks, Kevin! We did this trip last June in the first week. I think the Sierra may have received even less snow this year than last year, so you should be fine mid to late May. It has been cold up there, though, so beware of ice. Bring microspikes or crampons just in case. Have a great time and enjoy that beautiful place!

[@Pokekevin]

Tales of the Trails Thanks for the Info! Also how was the mosquitos? I was going to spray my gear and clothes with permethrin and use deet on open areas

[@TolkienLewis]

Coming from the trailhead at Road's End the mosquitoes were pretty bad. I had to borrow a friend's bug net because I didn't have one. I don't like using the sprays because of the chemicals so I can't vouch for their effectiveness. I would advise getting a bug net for your face and wearing long sleeves/pants.

[@ES-ge7bb]

When was this hike done? You look so nice.

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi! Thank you! We did this hike in June 2014.

[@markstanton2362]

Joyce, Did you see any bears on this trip?

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi, Mark. We didn't see any bears on this trip, but on the last night, we had a rattlesnake in our camp. We also had a couple of deer nearby.

[@bustinwheels]

Hi- thank you for sharing your Rae Lakes Loop photos and video. Your energy is super positive and uplifting! I can't wait to do this hike during Memorial Day weekend. My question to you is although the video was published in June of 2014, when did you do the hike? I am not sure how much snow is up there right now and our trip is 8 weeks away. Did you take crampons or shoe chains? It looks gorgeous up there! So glad you had a good trip and safe too. I also have a KZbin Channel kzbin.info and a website www.bustinwheels.com for all of my hiking and travel adventures. Take care and I look forward to your reply about the snow and crampons. Olivia C.

[@TolkienLewis]

bustinwheels Hi, Olivia! Thanks for your note. We did this trip the first week of June 2014. Because it had been a "dry" season, we weren't expecting much snow, although we did bring microspikes/crampons just in case. We saw the truth when we met Glen Pass, as you saw in the video. I would rather you be safe and advise you to take traction devices, whatever works best for you be it crampons or microspikes. What an exciting way to spend Memorial Day weekend! You are going to have a blast!I will check out your channel and website. Please follow Tales of the Trails on Facebook and Twitter. Let me know if I can answer any more questions. :)Joyce