Backpack Rae Lakes via Glen and Kearsarge Passes

Independence, California

5.0/5

based on 1 reviews

Save

View all 6 photos

All 6 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

41.4 miles

Elevation Gain

6943 ft

Description

Added by Joe Law

This is a fairly challenging hike, depending on your pace and level of fitness, but it offers some incredible views, which the pictures don't really do justice.

The hike starts at Onion Valley campground and includes a good deal of elevation (two passes around 12,000 feet). You start climbing at the outset, and keep climbing for the first couple of hours before hitting Kearsarge Pass. Here you begin a long descent, then traverse above some beautiful lakes on the Sierra High Route before joining the PCT/John Muir Trail, which brings you to the second climb and Glen Pass. After this, it's another long and occasionally steep descent into the Rae Lakes area.

Campfires are not allowed above 10,000 feet, which means they are forbidden at Rae Lakes campground. Bear canister is a necessity.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Camping

Photography

Swimming

Backpacking

Hiking

Lake

Scenic

Wildlife

Reviews

Sarah Eichstedt

Backpack Rae Lakes via Glen and Kearsarge Passes

09/05/16

I took 2 days to get to Rae Lakes, and camped at Kearsarge Lake on the first night. I liked breaking it up because it's a quite challenging day to get all the way to Rae Lakes, since you have to hike up and down 2 mountain passes. Make sure to jump in the lake when you get there! So cold, but refreshing! There are tons of camp sites around the lake, but it can be quite a popular spot since it's on the John Muir Trail.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Summit Mt. Gould

Starting at 9,200 feet at Onion Valley Campground, take Kearsarge Pass Trail. The hike begins immediately with a substantial increase in elevation, switchbacking up the mountain. On the way up rest and enjoy the beautiful alpine lakes, which include Gilbert, Flower, Heart and Big Pothole Lake. Flower Lake is the last water source that is easily accessible to filter water. After about 4.2 miles ...

Backpack Over Kearsarge Pass to Charlotte Lake

This adventure begins at Onion Valley Campground outside of Independence, CA. The parking is abundant and the road is snow dependent. Snow will be plowed as long as it is not currently being hit with a massive storm. Dogs are allowed on trail up to Kearsarge Pass (4.5 miles from the trailhead). However, as you continue west over the pass you enter Sequoia National Park, which means pets are not...

Backpack to Flower Lake from Onion Valley

Make sure to obtain an overnight permit up to 6 months in advance. You will have to pick up your permit at one of the Inyo National Forest Visitor Centers (here) before you begin.Once you have your permit in hand, drive to the Onion Valley Trailhead (see map), which is about 15 miles west of the town of Independence, CA and sits at an elevation of 9185 feet. Park in the lot, where you can fill ...

Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney

Trip Guide ***Please note, all images after the first one are arranged in chronological order of the trip so you can easily follow along Day 1 Depending on where you are coming from your day one is most likely going to be setting up your car shuttle from Whitney Portal to Onion Valley. Our first day setting up car shuttles and staying overnight at Onion Valley Campground. If you are flying...

John Muir Trail: Middle Rae Lake

You'll have to deal with some crowds at Rae Lakes but that is because this is an amazing setting to spend the night. If sharing this place with others is the worst of your worries then you're doing pretty well. Hikers flock here for the incredible swimming, views of iconic peaks like Fin Dome and Painted Lady, and epic sunrises.Find out everything you need to know about your John Muir Trip at B...

John Muir Trail: Camping at Bighorn Plateau

Another rare but welcomed flat open space along the JMT. The night sky here will blow you away so if you're a photographer this is a great opportunity to capture the incredibel Sierra night sky. Do be careful about camping in the open space in regards to weather. A thunderstorm in this area could not only be very unpleasant but also dangerous.Find out everything you need to know about your John...

Backpack Rae Lakes via Glen and Kearsarge Passes

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Summit Mt. Gould

Backpack Over Kearsarge Pass to Charlotte Lake

Backpack to Flower Lake from Onion Valley

Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney

John Muir Trail: Middle Rae Lake

John Muir Trail: Camping at Bighorn Plateau

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps