Rae Lakes Loop Solo In August. Should I do a night in 60 Lakes Basin?

[Ken Helwig]

First multi night trip solo. Planning on Upper Vidette Meadows on the first night. Rae Lakes for the second night. Third? 60 Lakes Basin?? Fourth night at Junction Meadows and then out to my car. Thoughts? Has the suspension bridge been re-built or if not, how is the ford? I did this hike with friends years ago, and we camped there and crossed the bridge the next morning.

[Steve Thompson]

60 Lakes Basin is an excellent option.  Where the Rae Lakes are huge and in a wide canyon, 60 Lakes has myriad ponds and feels much more intimate. You will likely be alone there if that is a concern.

There is an easy x-country exit to the JMT over Basin Notch.

[jscott]

“Has the suspension bridge been re-built or if not, how is the ford?”

In June, on the year I was there, that ford was impassible from my view on the bridge. Hopefully it’s back up. And who knows, in August, depending on the year, the story may be very different.

[Mudjester]

The “Golden Gate of the Sierra” suspension bridge is good, as I crossed it last August. 60 Lakes, including exiting over Basin notch is delightful, and yes, lightly visited. Although, an extra night between upper and middle Rae is also sweet and allows for a dayhike up to Dragon lake which is dramatic and lightly visited too. You can’t go wrong. But I’m not sure how Junction Meadow fits with your itinerary. Are you parking at Road’s End, climbing up Bubbs to Vidette day 1? Crossing Woods on the bridge day 3, then the stop before Road’s End would be somewhere in Paradise Valley rather than JM.

[Author]

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