Rae Lakes Loop

This route begins and ends at the Road's End Trailhead in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. From the trailhead, follow the sandy path east along Cedar Grove Sand Flats. At 1.9 miles, reach the junction with Bubbs Creek Trail and bear left onto the Paradise Valley Trail. Follow this trail north along the river, passing Mist Falls at 3.9 miles, and continue through Paradise Valley. At 14.4 miles, cross the suspension bridge over Woods Creek and turn right (south) onto the John Muir Trail. Climb steadily south through the canyon, turning right at 18.3 miles to pass Dollar Lake and Arrowhead Lake at 18.9 miles to enter the Rae Lakes basin. From the shore of Middle Rae Lake at 20.8 miles, follow the trail south to climb 1,418 vertical feet of steep switchbacks up the rocky north face of Glen Pass, reaching the 11,926-foot summit at 23.2 miles. Descend the steep south side of the pass, and at 25.3 miles, turn right (west) at the junction with the Kearsarge Pass Trail to follow the Bubbs Creek Trail. Descend west along Bubbs Creek through Vidette Meadow and Junction Meadow. Rejoin the initial junction at 37.7 miles, and follow the flat path back to the trailhead.