Rae Lakes Loop, Kings Canyon NP

[lambertiana]

Finally getting around to posting this one...

Last summer my scout troop wanted to do a 50 mile backpacking trip, and asked me to help plan and execute it. After I laid out several options for them, they chose the Rae Lakes loop in Kings Canyon NP, with a side trip to East Lake and Lake Reflection to make 50 miles total.

We started at Roads End in Kings Canyon on the Bubbs Creek trail. Pictures of the ascent that day:

Two noteworthy critter encounters that day. First, we came across a pine marten chasing a squirrel in a tree. It was pretty impessive to see the marten outmaneuver the squirrel, this picture was taken just before the marten caught the squirrel:

Second was first heard before seen...I was in the lead and heard the rattle. It took me a few seconds of very anxious looking to spot the source:

We stopped for the day at Junction Meadow on Bubbs Creek:

Mt Bago from Junction Meadow:

 

[lambertiana]

The next day we headed up the side canyon to East Lake. It is a very nice hike up to the lake:

Then we got to East Lake:

After setting up camp, we headed up to Lake Reflection. There is no official trail but it is easy to reach; some views along the way:

The outlet pool at Lake Reflection:

The actual outlet of the main lake:

Looking up the lake:

After spending time enjoying the view (and swimming by the scouts) we headed back down to East Lake, this is looking down on East Lake:

Afternoon and evening at East Lake:

The East Lake/Lake Reflection drainage is one of my favorite places. Although it is just a few short miles up a side trail from the Bubbs Creek trail, which is incredibly popular, very few people go to East Lake/Lake Reflection. We had East Lake to ourselves that night.

 

[lambertiana]

Early morning at East Lake:

We dropped back down to Junction Meadow, and then headed up Bubbs Creek:

Looking down Bubbs Creek; you can see the East Lake drainage on the left:

At Vidette Meadow, we headed up toward Charlotte Lake. This is looking up Bubbs Creek as we ascended toward Charlotte Lake:

Looking up the Vidette Creek drainage:

Looking down on Charlotte Lake:

Sunset at Charlotte Lake:

 

[lambertiana]

The next morning we headed up to Glen Pass (11,978'). Here is small lake near the pass (the pass is on the ridge above this lake):

From the pass, looking south:

Looking north:

Views during the descent:

At the bottom of the descent is the Rae Lakes basin:

Anyone with an eye for details will note that the clouds were looking pretty threatening by this point. We continued down the drainage:

We stopped for the day at Dollar Lake:

I barely got my tent set up in time before the storm hit. During the hours-long downpour I discovered that I needed to re-seal the seams on my tent fly. After the rain stopped, I got an evening picture of Dollar Lake:

 

[pinnah]

Green with envy. Been on my bucket list for a long time. Great pictures. Thanks for posting!!!!!

 

[lambertiana]

That night the storms returned, with winds strong enough to start lifting my tent off the ground, with me in it. It was rather exciting. In the morning we headed down to the Woods Creek junction, views along the way:

At the junction is the well-known suspension bridge over Woods Creek. It sways wildly as you cross it:

Descending Woods Creek:

We went by Castle Domes:

More views descending Woods Creek:

 

[lambertiana]

We finally reached upper Paradise Valley when we crossed the South Fork Kings river:

This was the planned camp for that night. However, since we had made good time, a number of the others in the group (especially the other adults) decided that they did not want to risk spending another night weathering storms (clouds had been building again). They decided that they wanted to go all the way to the trailhead that day. This changed it to a 19 mile day with full packs...at least it was all downhill.

We went down Paradise Valley; it is a very pleasant valley, with the South Fork Kings river being a gentle stream over the shallow gradient:

Then at the lower end of Paradise Valley the canyon makes its final plunge:

Close to the bottom is Mist Falls:

The final pictures, as we approached the trailhead:

The weather notwithstanding, the Rae Lakes loop lives up to the hype, it is a beautiful area.

 

[sasha]

awesome .. haven't been to the high sierra for 3 years now... wish I were there now .. thanks

 

[mewolf1]

Well done! Those scouts will never be the same.:thumbup:

 

[22-rimfire]

Yes, Very well done. Great pictures and explanations. I did notice the clouds building and one picture of a lake looked like it was raining.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Stunning pics !

 

[tknife]

Simply gorgeous. I love being able to look at these while sitting in my cubicle dreaming of the Sierra!

 

[fatcat55]

Enjoyed the trip! Thanks for sharing.

 

[22-rimfire]

What camera were you using to take the pictures?

 

[lambertiana]

What camera were you using to take the pictures?

Canon SX130. All pictures are the raw images; I am a purist and I do not believe in digital manipulation.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Another EXCELLENT set of photos!!!

Thanks for sharing

 

[22-rimfire]

Good choice of camera for a hike. Small and takes good pictures. I have to say excellent pictures.

I tried taking my DSLR with me on my bike and came to the conclusion that something more along a Canon Powershot line would be more appropriate.

 

[Herlock]

Amazing pics! Great landscape! Thanks a lot for sharing . The sceneries somehow reminds me some parts of our Alps here in Italy. Interesting!