Rae Lakes Loop trip report and conditions
Rae Lakes Loop 5/17/2026-5/20/2026
Day 1: Started our trip at the roads end parking lot around 11 am. No permitted needed until may 28th, just self issued back country permits. From roads end, hiked north towards south forks kings river/ upper paradise valley. RIVER FORD: We forded the river around 5 pm. Roughly 75 yards down stream of the old bridge, there is a sand bank. From the west side of the river, there is a log that goes parallel with the river along the shore. From there, we did a diagonal cross , which put us roughly 20 feet above the sand bank, to an opening in the other bank. The current was swift, and thigh deep on us. I would recommend keeping shoes on ( we took our socks and shoe soles off), as the rocks are slick. Not the easiest ford, but doable. Many people ahead of us turned back. We then found a camp site along the river on the east side. Looking back, the river was slower the following morning at first light, and would have been easier to do then
Day 2: From our campsite on south forks kings river, we hiked east. Several rattle snakes in rocky sections. Lunch at woods creek bridge, and then turned south along John Muir trail. Camped at Lower Rae lake. Tough trekking at elevation. Started to see patches of snow starting at dollar lake, but easily avoidable.
Day 3: Awoke to a bitterly cold morning, and headed to glen pass. Some snow and ice patches. Started the ascend up the north side of the pass at 9:15 am, and reached the top at 11:30. The normal mapped switch backs were not there, as there is a straight shot of boot tracks up to the top. Thankfully that night was below freezing, so the ice/ snow was solid. Was able to use established paths easily, and did not posthole once. I would highly recommend micro spikes, although one in our group did most of it with none on. Once at the top, south side was a fine descent. Some patches of snow on the south side once it flattened out for the next 2 miles, and did post hole a few times, as it was afternoon and the snow was soft by then. Lunch at the trail crossing to Kersage pass near a little melt water pond. Descended and turned east along Bubbs creek trail, which after 2,000+ miles of backpacking at by far the most picturesque valley ever!! Camped at a campsite 3 miles west of east lake trail junction ( most beautiful campsite ever).
Day 4: Packed up and left camp at 6 am bound for the car. Easy 7.5 miles out to the car. Just in time to miss breakfast at grant’s grove that closed at 10 am!
Notes
-Far out is good, but incomplete for the non pct/jmt sections. Get the National Geographic map of kings canyon. Has a lot more campsites labeled.
-Fording the south fork kings river was challenging. If I was alone, not fit, or inexperienced I would have turned back too. If I was nervous about it, camp on the banks and wait for the morning so there’s less snow melt fueling the river speed.
-The second leg of the second day was challenging. The steady elevation gain to above 10,000 feet was difficult for those of us that live at sea level. Pace your self!
-The pass was challenging. Thabfulky there were a lot of holes made by others. Start early while it’s frozen, and bring micro spikes. I would prefer to do this pass going southbound, as this is very very steep.
-Doing the loop clockwise is highly preferable in my opinion. If the river ford is to high, you can turn back easily. You can also acclimate longer, and is steady climb to 10,000 feet. You also get to experience the most beautiful valley ever going downhill with a light pack. Lastly, you can set your self up for an easier time of the pass which the snow is hard. I see no advantages if going counter clockwise.
-Carried a bear can the whole way, just to camp with bear box at every campsite, and did not see one bear.
-Small dry stretch between bullfrog lake and south of the pass
TLDR
River ford: possible, mid thigh high. Cross below old bridge. Slower water in morning.
Glenn Pass: Start as early possible while the snow is hard. Bring micro spikes. No switchbacks, straight shot up.