Rae Lakes itinerary
Every mile marker on the Rae Lakes route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one, and which permit each stretch needs. To set alerts for your dates, go to the Rae Lakes Loop permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The Rae Lakes. One reservation is a trailhead or zone plus an entry date; you roam after that, issued by reservation.
The permit is issued for a named entry point. Roads End Trailhead is the one on this list.
- Stops mapped
- 19
- Across the markers
- 41.4 mi
- Published route length
- 41.4 mi
- Ascent, at least
- 6,943 ft
How long it takes: 3-5 days. That is the figure the permit publishes. This page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
The Rae Lakes route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
5,035 ft
Roads End Trailhead
Entry point: the permit is issued for this trailhead
Starting point at 5,035 ft in Cedar Grove. Last facilities and bear canister rentals.
1.9 miles · 59 ft up to Paradise/Bubbs Jct.
Mile 1.9
5,094 ft
Paradise/Bubbs Jct.
2.0 miles · 680 ft up to Mist Falls
Mile 3.9
5,774 ft
Mist Falls
Powerful waterfall on the South Fork Kings River. Popular day-hike destination.
1.8 miles · 811 ft up to Lower Paradise
Mile 5.7
6,585 ft
Lower Paradise
First campsite on the loop. NPS: camping in Lower Paradise Valley is permitted only in designated campsites.
1.1 miles · 72 ft up to Middle Paradise
Mile 6.8
6,657 ft
Middle Paradise
Part of Paradise Valley. NPS: "Camping in Paradise Valley is limited to two nights."
3.2 miles · 261 ft up to Upper Paradise
Mile 10.0
6,918 ft
Upper Paradise
Part of Paradise Valley. NPS: "Camping in Paradise Valley is limited to two nights."
3.9 miles · 1,228 ft up to Castle Domes Meadow
Mile 13.9
8,146 ft
Castle Domes Meadow
Scenic meadow beneath the Castle Domes rock formation. Good camping.
1.8 miles · 351 ft up to Woods Creek Crossing
Mile 15.7
8,497 ft
Woods Creek Crossing
Swaying suspension bridge at 8,490 ft. JMT junction: thru-hikers pass here.
4.0 miles · 1,712 ft up to Dollar Lake
Mile 19.7
10,209 ft
Dollar Lake
First of the high lakes at 10,200 ft. Named for its round shape.
0.7 miles · 88 ft up to Arrowhead Lake
Mile 20.4
10,297 ft
Arrowhead Lake
Small lake shaped like an arrowhead. Quieter camping alternative to Rae Lakes.
2.3 miles · 234 ft up to Rae Lakes
Mile 22.7
10,531 ft
Rae Lakes
Three alpine lakes at 10,530 ft. NPS: "Camping at Rae Lakes is limited to one night per lake." Ranger station.
1.9 miles · 1,447 ft up to Glen Pass
Mile 24.6
11,978 ft
Glen Pass
High point of the loop at 11,978 ft. 360-degree Sierra views. Steep descent south.
2.1 miles · 1,269 ft down to Charlotte Lake Junction
Mile 26.7
10,709 ft
Charlotte Lake Junction
Side trail to Charlotte Lake (1 mile) or exit via Kearsarge Pass.
1.5 miles · 1,185 ft down to Vidette Meadow
Mile 28.2
9,524 ft
Vidette Meadow
High meadow at 9,500 ft beneath the Vidette spires. JMT junction.
2.9 miles · 1,374 ft down to Junction Meadow
Mile 31.1
8,150 ft
Junction Meadow
Where Bubbs Creek meets the East Fork. Transition back to lower elevations.
2.8 miles · 844 ft down to Charlotte Creek
Mile 33.9
7,306 ft
Charlotte Creek
Creek crossing with cascades. Gradual descent through forest.
3.6 miles · 1,070 ft down to Sphinx Junction
Mile 37.5
6,236 ft
Sphinx Junction
Trail junction with views of the Sphinx formation. Begin final stretch. NPS lists this as the last campsite before Roads End: "Sphinx Junction (last campsite)".
1.9 miles · 1,142 ft down to Bubbs Creek Bridge
Mile 39.4
5,094 ft
Bubbs Creek Bridge
Cross Bubbs Creek on wooden bridge. Rejoin South Fork Kings River trail.
2.0 miles · 59 ft down to Roads End Return
Mile 41.4
5,035 ft
Roads End Return
Loop complete. Return to Roads End parking area and Cedar Grove.
Getting a Rae Lakes for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. Rae Lakes dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations. They return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag checks Rae Lakes around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.