Route: Rae Lakes Loop Counter Clockwise (Roads End to Roads End)
Date: July 19, 2014
Time: 15 hrs 19 min (5:00 am start time)
Mileage: 41.4 miles (as measured on the Tom Harrison map and the updated NPS Kings Canyon web site)
Elevation Gain: approx.. 8,000 ft
High Point: 12,000 ft (Glen Pass, 11,978)
John V. and I hiked/ran Rae Lakes Loop in a day last Saturday. Since I was totally NOT acclimated to altitude we had no goal other than making it back to Roads End before the small market closed so we could buy beer. This goal was accomplished, and in spite of all the wonderful beer choices the market had, John chose Heinekin.
For those who worry that our blazing 2.7 mph pace was too fast to “Smell the Roses”, I will admit a slight difficulty absorbing the beauty while hiking up Bubbs Creek engulfed by all the vegetation (I am more of an open space person). But in our defense, the 5 dayers who were all snuggled in their tents till 9:00 am weren’t exactly sniffing roses either. We came across many tents along Bubbs but did not meet a single hiker until the route joined the JMT at Vidette Meadow. From Viddete to the Woods Creek bridge it was like a highway, more crowded than I remember from my previous trips along this stretch of trail. And yes most of them were enjoying the ambiance of the lakes and peaks. But so were we, the striking open visuals here are hard not to absorb even when approaching Warp speed, err 3 mph.
As we crossed the Woods Creek Bridge and headed down Woods Creek and Kings River the vibe changed yet again. This stretch was not quite as much fun as I hoped it would be. Long portions were very rocky and difficult to run, and as we descended, the vegetation grew thicker (I’m sorry but I’m partial to the Sierra above treeline). But I guarantee we were smelling more roses than the numerous unhappy 5 dayers who were trudging uphill over the rocks asking us desperately where the next water source was.
All in all a very fun adventure run. Being altitude acclimated would make it more fun.
(sorry, no camera no photos, but this site has many photos of the route in other threads).
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Trip Comparison :
For those who follow, or were involved in, our previous trips, I would rate them as follows.
1. Zion Traverse – without a doubt most beautiful, and great running trail bed
2. Grand Canyon RRR – very beautiful, even the horrible climb back out cannot destroy the beauty
3. Rae Lakes Loop – beautiful ? of course. I love the Sierra but the High Sierra is what I love. The most brutal trail bed of the three listed here.
