Overview
One of the most popular loops in the Sierra Nevadas featuring alpine lakes, towering canyons, snowy mountains, rushing rivers and waterfalls. If you have the time, I recommend 5 days/4 nights on the trail. However, we did it in 4 due to limited vacation time.
Logistics
Location: Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 41.4 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Difficult
Our Hike Time: 4 days, 3 nights (recommend 5 days/4 nights)
Route Type: Clockwise loop (seriously, go clockwise)
Elevation gain: 5,035 feet to 11,978 feet
Trailhead: Road’s End Wilderness Permit Station
Costs: $10 for a permit + $5 per person camping fee (e.g. if you have 2 people it’s $10+($5x2) = $20)
When to go: Late June – September
Permits Required: Yes. Make reservations in advance to guarantee your spot on the trail. Apply via email by sending this application form to seki_wilderness_reservations@nps.gov. On your application, the entry trail is Woods Creek and the exit trail is Bubbs Creek. More info on applying for permits here. Note: Even if you have a reservation, you must check-in and pick up your permit at Road's End Station before starting the trek. You can pick them up the day before by 3:30pm or day of from 7:00-9:00am. After 9:00am they will release your permit to walk-up reservations. If you are unable to make a reservation, 20% of permits are released for walk-ups at 9:00am. Tip: show up at 7am to stake your place in line!
Parking: When picking up your permit, the ranger will write down your car information and direct you to park in one of the back lots.
Where to Stay: The night before the trek, stay at Sentinel Campground. You can make online reservations in advance for $22/night. It’s a 10-minute drive to the Road’s End Permit Station. Details for camping along the loop are below in the Day-By-Day Breakout.
Dogs Allowed: No
Wildlife on Trail: Black bears, muskrats, deer, snakes, fox, birds, lizards, squirrels, chipmunks, fish. Note: Bear spray is prohibited. Bears tend to stay under 7,000 feet. To learn more about black bears read here.
Food Storage: Bear canisters are required and available for rent at Road’s End permit station (where you’ll pick up your permit and start the trek) for $5 (small) or $6 (large) for 3 nights + $2/$3 for each additional night.
Water: Plentiful throughout the trail. The water is clear and cold but just to be safe use a Sawyer water filter. Potable water is available at the trailhead to fill up one last time.
Fires: Allowed below 10,000 feet (preferably in pre-established pits)
Tips
Hike the loop clockwise, starting along Woods Creek and ending along Bubbs Creek.
Bring water shoes for the stream crossings. WARNING: The South Fork Kings River Bridge at the Upper Paradise Valley Campground (that you must cross) broke, so be prepared to cross the water by foot. In August, we were lucky the water was just above our knees.
Bug spray is essential! You may want a mosquito net as well. You can also pre-treat your clothes and tent with Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent.
Bring eco-friendly wilderness soap for bathing in streams/lakes.
Current Trail Conditions
Day-By-Day Breakdown
Day 0:
Camp near Road’s End Permit Station (suggested: Sentinel Campground). Optional: Pick-up your permit a day early (7:00-3:30pm)
Day 1: 10 miles — Road’s End to Upper Paradise
Pick up permit between 7:00-9:00am from Road’s End Wilderness Permit Station.
Noteworthy sites: Mist Falls
Day 2: 9.7 miles (19.7 miles total) — Upper Paradise to Dollar Lake
Noteworthy sites: John Muir Trail intersection, suspension bridge, Dollar Lake, Arrowhead Lake
Note: We came across 2 partially broken barbed wire fences on the trail that you’ll have to climb over/under, unsure why they’re there but know you’re going the right way!
Day 3: 3 miles (22.7 miles total) — Dollar Lake to Upper Rae Lakes
Noteworthy sites: Fin Dome, Lower, middle and upper Rae Lakes
Note: No fires allowed as you’re above 10,000 feet. Probably won’t see any bears up this high either.
Optional day hike: 60 Lakes Basin, 4.6 miles roundtrip
Day 4: 11.2 miles (33.9 miles total) — Upper Rae Lakes to Charlotte Creek
Get an early start to climb Glen Pass (~12,000 ft). After the pass, the rest of the trail is almost entirely downhill.
Noteworthy sites: Glen Pass
Day 5: 7.5 miles (41.4 miles total) — Charlotte Creek to Road's End
Hike the remaining miles to finish the loop! Don’t forget to return your bear box.
Tip: Check out the NPS website for exact distances along Rae Lakes Loop.
