Hard
California · United States
- Distance
- 16.9 km / 10.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 371 m
- Typical duration
- 4 hr 7 min
- River
Rae Lakes Loop
ExpertCalifornia · United States
- Distance
- 57.6 km (35.8 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 1,267 m (4,157 ft)
- Typical time
- 15 hr
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Rae Lakes Loop
Rae Lakes Loop is a 57.6 km hiking route in California, United States. It climbs roughly 1,267 m (4,157 ft) along the way. Most people take around 3 days at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Only take this on with mountain experience, solid navigation and a realistic view of your own pace.
The water is the anchor of the route, still enough on calm mornings to mirror everything above it.
The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 35.8 mi. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The route is maintained by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
In short, Rae Lakes Loop suits experienced mountain walkers who are comfortable with exposure, navigation and long descents. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Expert57.6 km1,267 m
Numbered marks every 10 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Lake
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 80/100
- Adventure
- 89/100
- Difficulty
- 100/100
- Accessibility
- 13/100
- Family
- 17/100
- Dogs
- 55/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Calm mornings give mirror reflections on the water, so it is worth being there early.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Break the route into stages and decide your turnaround time before you set off.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Real food, not just snacks
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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