Kings Canyon NP: Rae Lakes Loop Register

Date and Time:
Tue, Jun 30, 2026; 8:00 AM (Pacific) - Sun, Jul 5, 2026  8:00 AM  (Pacific)

Organized By: SF Bay Chp Backpacking

Location: Roads End Wilderness Permit Station, CA-180, Kings Canyon National Park, CA 93633, USA

Map | Directions

Join us on the Rae Lakes Loop Trail. 41.8 miles 8,268 ft of elevation gain. The Loop is a challenging yet immensely rewarding circuit through the heart of Kings Canyon National Park.  Expect a mix of rugged granite slabs, alpine lakes, forested stretches, and stunning high altitude vistas. We will begin at Road’s End trailhead in Kings Canyon.  The first day we will backpack to Middle Paradise Valley following the clockwise direction of the Rae Lakes Loop 7.4 miles.  The second day we will backpack to the junction with the John Muir Trail (JMT) and camp there 7.0 miles.  The third day we will hike to Rae Lakes 6.9 miles. This is the most popular area to camp, so we may spend some time hiking to find a site and good places to swim. The fourth day we will hike from Rae Lake to Charlotte Lake, ascending over Glenn Pass at approximately 11970 ft, the highest point of our hike, 5.25 miles. The fifth day we will hike from Charlotte Lake to Sphinx Creek along the Bubbs Creek trail, this will be our longest hike of the day, but downhill, and will leave us in a good position for the last day’s hike out, 11.1 miles. The sixth and final day we will return to the Road’s End trailhead, leaving ample time to return to the Bay Area or explore the park 4.1 miles. The hike passes numerous lakes, so depending on the weather, we should have many chances to swim.

EXPECTATIONS: Here are some of the expectations:

1. The high altitude, likelihood of mosquitoes, sudden inclement weather, presence of bears, etc., all pose their own challenges, and you should come prepared to cope with these (note that using bear spray is neither allowed in the park, nor is it necessary, so do not bring any).
2. You should plan on carrying with you electrolyte-replacements which help prevent sluggishness and help maintain a consistent energy level throughout the day.
3. We won’t be racing, because we want to appreciate the scenery and wilderness experience. However, maintaining a reasonable pace and group cohesion are expected. So, if you feel you need more independence and less structure, do not sign up for this trip.
4. You may not ask to leave early once we depart from the trailhead on Day 1. As a group function, we travel together. If you have a commitment that requires you to leave early, do not sign up for this trip.
5. We leaders are volunteers and we do not have time to deal with numerous cancellations. So please make this trip a priority and commit to arranging your work schedule and family obligations around this trip. Otherwise, do not sign up for this trip.
6. In the unlikely event that you need to be evacuated, by signing up for this trip, you accept full responsibility to pay the full cost for your evacuation. Neither the Sierra Club nor the Inyo National Forest Service pays for this service. If you do not agree, do not sign up for this trip.

Level: Strenuous

Cost: $106

Signup Instructions: Please R.S.V.P and ACKNOWLEDGE THE LIABILITY WAIVER. Afterwards the trip leader will contact you to start the approval process and provide further information.

Bring: Individual commissary. Participants bring their own food and cooking equipment. Participants need to furnish their own overnight sleeping gear. The leader will send a detailed equipment list to approved participants.

Signup Restrictions: Leader approval required for participating.

Additional Directions: We will meet at the trailhead parking lot. There is no fee for parking, but backpackers must pay the entrance fee. The trip cost does not cover the entrance fee.

Carpool: Getting from and to the trailhead is the sole responsibility of each participant. The leader will provide a trip roster to all approved participants to facilitate ride sharing. We recommend that drivers and riders agree in advance on costs.

Note: Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.