Fastest Known Time - Rae Lakes Loop (CA)

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May 22, 2013, 10:42am

Fastest Known Time :: Trails - Regions :: Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA) :: Rae Lakes Loop (CA)

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Topic: Rae Lakes Loop (CA) (Read 2,004 times)

Peter Bakwin
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Rae Lakes Loop (CA)
« Thread Started on Nov 13, 2009, 1:15pm »

Leor Pantilat set the FKT at 7h29m50s, September 26, 2010.

The Rae Lakes Loops is about 46 miles, and is one of the most popular hikes in the southern Sierra. On October 24, 2009, after a significant snow storm, Pantilat did the route in 12h31m. He posted a report with many (many!) photos, and splits, on cascadeclimb ers.com forum. This report reads as follows:

According to the national park service, the Rae Lakes Loop is one of the most popular hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, if not the entire Sierra. I completed the famous loop in 12 hours, 31 minutes, starting at 5:30 am and finishing just after 6 pm. The loop is 46 miles long and climbs from 5,035 ft at the trailhead to 11,978 ft at Glen Pass. The portion between Vidette Meadows (Mile 14) and Woods Creek Crossing (Mile 29) is along the John Muir Trail. The highlight of the loop is the Rae Lakes area, a chain of large alpine lakes over 10,500 feet with views of rugged Sierra peaks. The trailhead is at Road’s End in magnificent Kings Canyon and travels along Bubbs Creek and Woods Creek, including Vidette Meadows, Castle Domes, and Paradise Valley. Most backpackers do the loop clockwise, which makes sense as you gradually gain elevation through the Rae Lakes basin. However, for running it makes more sense to go counterclockwise reaching the highpoint at Glen Pass in 18.5 miles, followed by 27.5 miles of downhill, in theory.

A strong storm on October 13th dropped several feet of snow above 9,000 feet, and a substantial amount of snow remains which made for slow going between Charlotte Lake junction and Dollar Lake (~8 miles). The snow was particularly deep on the north side of Glen Pass with an icy crust layer on top of powdery snow. The result was a lot of postholing and I often could not find where the trail was buried until near the Rae Lakes, but the views of the Sierra with a fresh coat of snow more than compensated. The trails along the loop are generally rocky and rugged precluding a consistent fast pace. I found the section before and after Mist Falls (miles 41 to 43) to be particularly rocky and rough on tired legs at the end of the day.

-- Leor Pantilat

Pantilat returned to the route a 11 months later and, with idyllic conditions, took over 5 hours off his previous time, setting a new standard at 7h29m50s. His report with splits and comparison to his 2009 trip is here.

[image]

map by Leor Pantilat

« Last Edit: Apr 22, 2011, 9:20am by Peter Bakwin »

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marciarasmussen
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Re: Rae Lakes Loop (CA)
« Reply #1 on Mar 31, 2011, 8:48pm »

Rae Lakes Loop is a fabulous run! I have done it in both directions, and my thought is that the clockwise loop is easier for running. The uphill grade through Paradise Valley is entirely runnable, and the footing is very good. If you are conditioned for the run and for the altitude, you can run most of the first half continuously. After Glen Pass (clockwise), the downhill is steep and more rugged, but if you take a kamikaze attitude, you can run it pretty fast. So, in my experience, the clockwise direction is very runnable.

the counter-clockwise direction seem more difficult to me. Maybe you hardcore trail runners are more sadistic than I, but I cannot manage to run the approach to Glen Pass from the south. At all. It becomes a Death March. Then, after the Pass, I'm too spent to do much more than jog that beautiful downgrade through Paradise Valley.

That said, either direction is incredibly easy on the eyes. This is truly some of the very best of the Sequoia High Country, if not the entire Sierra Nevada. It pains me a little to think of racing through this loop to set a record, when there is such fine scenery to enjoy. End of summer, pre-snowfall is the ideal time to do Rae Lakes. Mosquito populations are INSANE until the first frosty nights. There are a few groves of aspens, and I like to aim for early autumn when they have turned to gold. You very well may see me out there. Please take time to stop and say hello. ~Marcia

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Art Messier
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Re: Rae Lakes Loop (CA)
« Reply #2 on Apr 1, 2011, 10:41am »

Can't this loop also be done out of Onion Valley trailhead from the Eastside?
Slightly longer?
Not acceptable for record purposes?

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marciarasmussen
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Re: Rae Lakes Loop (CA)
« Reply #3 on Apr 6, 2011, 7:10pm »

Apr 1, 2011, 10:41am, Art Messier wrote:

Can't this loop also be done out of Onion Valley trailhead from the Eastside?
Slightly longer?
Not acceptable for record purposes?

Yes, especially if you live on the East Side or are coming from LA.
And yes, it's longer, but if you top Kearsarge Pass at sunrise, you won't have any regrets.
What's acceptable for record purposes? Won't open that can of worms.

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