John Muir Trail: Rae Lakes Loop
Guided Backpacking Trips
7 Days, 6 Nights 40+MI / 64+KM
Trip Highlights
If your interest is jaw-dropping alpine scenery and a challenging hike through the Sierra high country look no further! Our Rae Lakes Loop travels high into the Rae Lakes district of Kings Canyon National Park and features a myriad of stunning mountain lakes as well as some of the largest vertical relief in the Sierra. We enjoy spectacular mountain scenery, pristine camps, waterfalls, wildlife, and solitude on this unforgettable adventure!
We’ll begin at Road’s End in King’s Canyon National Park, where we ascend into John Muir’s High Sierra and leave the world behind for a solid week of mountain revelry. The days will be strenuous and the afternoons will be full of relaxing, swimming or even some fly fishing! Most of our camps will be at High Mountain lakes where the guides will cook up hearty meals and watch the stars come out next to glowing campfires.
-
Stunning Mountain Lakes
-
Layover Day to Explore
-
Alpine Loop Hike
-
Beautiful, Pristine Campsites
-
Stunning High Mountain Passes
-
Alpine Peaks, Lakes & Rushing Streams
-
Guides Choice Trip
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
-
Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
7 Days, 6 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-8 miles -
Group Size
1-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
"*" indicates required fields
Is This Trip Right For me?
This trek follows one of the most well established routes in Sequoia – Kings Canyon. The trail is well maintained and involves moderately rugged switchbacks and loose dirt sections. It is a long route with many significant elevation gains/losses and reaches a high point at 11,900 feet. Packs are a bit heavier due to the length of the trek and one layover day includes a 7.5 miles hike with 3400 feet gain/loss.
Difficulty Level
Learn More
Solitude Level
Learn More
Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle: 2.5 hours
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
Elevation Loss: 715 feet
After an early wake-up and a quick breakfast at the hotel, we will hop in the Wildland truck for a short shuttle into King’s Canyon (guests also have the option to caravan). The first day of our Alpine Lakes trek takes along the South Fork of the King’s River past breathtaking Mist Falls with Buck Peak and 11,165ft Glacier Monument towering high above. After a great day on the trail, we make camp along the Kings River, kick back, and enjoy a fine meal with the sun setting behind Goat and Kid Peaks in the distance!
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 2400 feet
Elevation Loss: 540 feet
After a good stretch, we will break camp and ascend higher into the mountains along Woods Creek. We will pass dominant granite features including Castle Domes and Window Rock just before our intersection with the famous John Muir Trail. With another amazing day under our belts, we camp along Woods Creek and the JMT with glaciated Mount Clarence King towering above the southern skyline.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2350 feet
Elevation Loss: 270 feet
Today we enter the Lakes District as follow the South Fork of Woods Creek to a beautiful lunch spot along Dollar Lake and enjoy a nice break with impressive views of Diamond Peak towering above us at 13,126 feet. We will continue on past Arrowhead Lakes to our campsite in the vicinity of Rae Lakes. In the evening we can go fishing, swim, read by the campfire and watch the sun set behind the impressive backdrop of Black Mountain, Dragon Peak and the Painted Lady!
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: Optional day hike- 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3450 feet
Today is our layover day which means either resting and relaxing around Rae Lake or trekking up to the Sixty Lakes Basin and possibly summiting Cotter Peak! From the summit of this non-technical granite peak, you are rewarded with 360 degree panoramas of Mt Clarence King, Gardiner Peak and the entire Sixty Lakes Basin as well as Gardiner Basin on the other side. After, we will return to camp, jump in the lake and prepare for tomorrow’s hike over Glen Pass!
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1740 feet
Elevation Loss: 1950 feet
Today we leave early to cross Glen Pass at 11,978 feet in elevation and say goodbye to the Rae Lakes District. Our trek is through steep, beautiful mountain country with massive granite peaks all around us, this setting truly feels remote! Our goal is Charlotte Lake at 10,370 feet which is a beautiful alpine lake situated in a quiet side valley. We will make camp and settle in for a hearty meal prepared by your guide while the summit of Mount Bago offers a beautiful panorama, protruding above our lakefront camp.
Day 6
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Elevation Loss: 3590 feet
Today we descend into Bubb’s Creek and trek past Charlotte Dome with incredible views of the Videttes, sharp Arêtes similar in appearance to the Matterhorn. We will also cross under the Kearsarge Pinnacles where the mountains truly rival the Alps in their beauty. After a quick break and great trail lunch we continue several miles down Bubb’s Creek and set up camp in a wooded meadow where we will enjoy our last campfire and night out under those glorious Sierra stars.
Day 7
Hiking Mileage: 7.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 460 feet
Elevation Loss: 2750 feet
Shuttle: 2.5 hours
On the final leg of our voyage we continue to descend Bubb’s Creek with our packs significantly lighter as our food weight has all but disappeared at this point! The views our outstanding today as we pass by the backside of Glacier Monument. We will celebrate with a victory lunch on a trip well earned back at Road’s End trailhead where our vehicle awaits. Your guide will transport you back to your hotel/airport in Fresno, CA.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
Scroll horizontally to view all dates
What's Included
-
Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
-
High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
-
Use of trekking poles
-
All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
-
Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
-
Transportation to the trailhead originating from Grant Grove Visitor Center
-
Bear cannisters for food storage
-
Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
-
Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
-
Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
-
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You’ll meet your hiking guide and group at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Fresno, California at 5PM the evening before your trip begins for an orientation meeting. We recommend staying at the Wyndham Garden before and after your trip for your convenience. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks beforehand to coordinate this meeting. The next morning we’ll meet and utilize park shuttles to reach our trailhead.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Fresno
All Sequoia-Kings Canyon trips begin and end in Fresno, California. Fresno has an airport served by many major airlines. You will meet your guide and group at the Wyndhyam Garden Fresno Hotel, which is very near the airport and has a free airport shuttle. We recommend staying here for your convenience.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s rendezvous time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 6 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will be out of the backcountry normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time) the final day.
Safety Considerations
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
- specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
- SORT BY:
- Most recent
- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Kerry W
1 year agoI highly recommend this adventure.
The Rae Lakes loop is filled with 360 degree views every step of the way. Our experienced guide Matt enhanced our trip with his positivity and knowledge. I highly recommend this adventure.
Nicole M
1 year agoThe trip was absolutely amazing
I loved the trip we went on, our guide Matt was amazing! 10/10
Mary Beth D
3 years agoPhenomenal
Another great experience with Wildland! Rae Lakes Loop is challenging, but definitely worth the effort. Our guide Matt and fellow hikers made the difficult terrain bearable and memorable. Definitely recommend!
You Might Also Like...
"*" indicates required fields
Leave a Reply