Welcome to Travel Tuesday! I’m back today with Day 4 (the last day!) of our journey on the Rae Lakes Loop Trail in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park!
Rae Lakes Loop in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park (Day 4)
Distance: 39.1 miles (loop)
Elevation: 7670 ft elevation gain
Difficulty: Difficult
Duration: 3-5+ days (We took 4 days).
Trailhead Address: 36.794390, -118.583630
Parking: Lot available a short walk away from the trailhead
Just to recap…
- Road’s End to Upper Paradise Valley (8.5 miles, ~1900 ft elevation gain)
- Upper Paradise Valley to Middle Rae Lake (11.4 miles, 3700 ft elevation gain)
- Middle Rae Lake to Junction Meadow (8 miles, 1400 ft elevation gain)
Day 4: Junction Meadow to Road’s End (9.6 miles, no more elevation gain, but ~3200 ft elevation loss)
No more elevation gain!!! But a wholeeee lot of elevation loss (~3200 ft).
The trees go from aspens + red firs to Jeffrey Pines, which are somewhat similar to Ponderosa Pines. Both have a sweet vanilla-y scent if you lean in and smell the bark (as I discovered back in the Rocky Mountains)!
As you descend, you’ll also see other species of trees, including oak and manzanita (the ones with the red bark that can peel!).
Follow the trail down the switchbacks as you get back into Kings Canyon and to the Bubbs Creek Trail junction. The water looked so inviting that we couldn’t help but stop to dip our feet in, just for a bit!
Another 2 miles later from there and we made it back to the Roads End Ranger Station.
To date, it’s the longest and most difficult hike I’ve ever done. I did not train for it (although I definitely should’ve) due to life getting in the way and not wanting to train on a slightly messed up knee. (But why go backpacking on a messed up knee, you ask? I was going with a group and didn’t know of anyone else I’d be able to find to go with me if I missed this one.) It was (sadly) the one I’ve been the most ill-prepared for.
My toes were numb for approximately 2 months following this trip, but I’m happy to say that I’ve fully regained sensation in them once more and it was worth it for the beautiful views!
- What’s the longest and/or most challenging hike you’ve ever done?
- If you haven’t already, read about Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 of the Rae Lakes Loop Trail!
- What’s a hike that’s on your bucket list?
- Stay tuned next week for beginning backpacker tips!
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Numb toes too! Wow. Quite a hike! You are badass especially because you did it knowing you weren’t quite trained enough for it. You believed in yourself. No matter the challenges, you did it! I think that’s awesome.
I need to try to be more like you! Me, I’m like oh how long will the hike be? Am I going to have to pee in the grass?😬 I definitely worry about that!😅
Thank you for sharing this amazing hike. You’re inspiring. I just need to find people to hike with now.
haha, aww, thank you! I definitely didn’t feel very badass while I was hiking it but the gorgeous views were definitely a nice distraction!
If you’re ever on this side of the country, I’d be happy to hike with you! :D!!
I would love that!!😍
Absolutely stunning! I hope I can hike that someday.
Oh no for your poor toes! What was wring? Did you need different shoes? This sounds like a tough final day with a dodgy knee… was your knee okay in the end?
The views are incredible and I am so glad it felt worth it, even for your toes!
p.s. Now I’d like to smell a Jeffrey Pine!
Josy A recently posted…Beauty Peak (West Crown) – Vancouver
I think it was my boots + the entire day’s worth of only-descending (my toes were just in contact with the front of the boot for a lot of the hike :( ). I’m glad the sensation is back though — it definitely was a weird feeling!
hehehe, right?! The first time I learned about Ponderosa Pines, I totally thought the person was just trolling us, but she was not! :P Jeffrey Pines were pretty awesome too! :]
Farrah recently posted…Longwood Gardens
Wow! Incredible job, Farrah! That’s a long day on the trail but those views sure make it worthwhile :)
Thank you! They really did! :D
Ooh this definitely sounds like a hard one! :O
Gorgeous trail! It looks very scenic
Every part of it was beautiful!! *-*
Looks like I need to start training for this! Gorgeous photos!
Thank you! It was such a beautiful hike!
Oh my goodness you really gave it all in this hike if you had numb toes for two months following! It sounds like a difficult (yet beautiful) hike.
hehehe, it’s definitely the most difficult one I’ve been on so far, but very worth it for all the gorgeous views!
Wow those pictures are stunning. I love a good hard hike but not sure I’d survive 4 days lol. Great job!
hehehe, I wish we’d added an extra day — it would’ve made the entire trip a lot chiller!
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: March 2022
I love these types of hikes! Sorry to hear about your toes. I think new hiking boots are in order!
hehe, it’s all good! I’m really glad I can feel them again! I guess the fit of my boots wasn’t as ideal as I’d thought. :'(
I have never heard of this trail, but I love your photos! It would be amazing to go on this hiking trail one day.
Thank you! Everywhere I turned, it was absolutely gorgeous! :] I hope you get to go check it out sometime!
Enjoy all the hiking you can while you are still young and healthy! I am over 60 with arthritis, so NO long hikes for me. I do sometimes find short east trails to view waterfalls. Sounds like you live a great life and have much to be thankful for.