meta

Lower Rae Lake Loop via PCT

based on 388 tracks & routes #20 hike out of 190 in
38.9 mi
Distance
20 hrs 6 min
Time
terrain
6,886 ft
Elev Gain

    Rate this Hike

    user_profile
    1 month, 1 week ago
    Solo hike over 5 days in mid September 2024 - first night at Upper Paradise Valley -- established sites were way too close to the trail and to each other. I tramped off trail for a while to find something secluded but then couldn't have a fire. The river is especially pretty here with beautiful pools for swimming. Fishing was great. Second night at Arrowhead Lake - this day was a bit of a slog uphill after the bridge. Nuts to butts on the JMT here - very busy part of the trail. The hike along Woods Creek is very pretty and gentle; once over the bridge and heading south it gets a bit steeper. I was racing rain and was happy to get to Arrowhead before the rain got too bad. I definitely recommend Arrowhead over Dollar. Pretty sites at Arrowhead and fishing once again amazing. I only hiked about a mile the third day - I wanted to maximize my time in the valley and enjoy some time relaxing. Hiked just the bit to Middle Rae and scored the best site on the lake early in the am after the people before me moved on. Absolutely gorgeous lake with incredible views, especially at sunset and sunrise. Fishing incredible again - for a while I'd catch a fish every cast for a stretch of ~20 casts or so. Those fish are hungry!! I got an early start the next morning to get over Glen Pass before it got too hot. It's a push but really not bad at all. The switchbacks are fairly gentle. After the tarns, you'll have 29 switchbacks to the top. No sweat! Once over, it's quite literally all downhill from there. The climb down is steep, but once past Charlotte, the climb down to Vidette Meadows is even steeper. Glad I wasn't going the other way. I camped at Junction Meadows - once again they've packed all the established sites right next to each other. It's very pretty but I wish they had spread the campsites around a bit. The river here (Bubbs) wasn't quite as good for fishing and swimming was a bit tougher as the river is faster without the nice deep quiet pools of Woods Creek. The last day I did the ~8 miles (easy fast downhill) to the car. Easy hike and got to my car in just over 3.5 hours. No bears, great weather, amazing fishing, all good. My only complaint is that the established campsites are too dang close to the trail and to each other. But amazing loop nonetheless.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    2 months, 1 week ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    1 year, 9 months ago

    user_profile
    2 years, 2 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    2 years, 5 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    2 years, 11 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    3 years, 1 month ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    3 years, 2 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    3 years, 3 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    3 years, 4 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    3 years, 4 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    3 years, 4 months ago

    user_profile
    3 years, 4 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    3 years, 5 months ago

    user_profile
    3 years, 9 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    4 years ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★


Public Tracks

user_profile
mislav 3 years, 2 months ago
Rae Lakes Loop (CW)
Rae Lakes Loop (clockwise)
user_profile
Jepio10 3 years, 3 months ago
user_profile
mhall163 3 years, 3 months ago
user_profile
deryk96 3 years, 4 months ago
user_profile
mhall163 3 years, 4 months ago
user_profile
brandon 3 years, 4 months ago
user_profile
rrastonis 3 years, 4 months ago
user_profile
sswiatek1 3 years, 10 months ago
user_profile
keelyrebe 3 years, 11 months ago
user_profile
kperlman2 4 years ago
user_profile
burns99 4 years, 1 month ago
user_profile
Dan 4 years, 1 month ago
user_profile
catherinebreed15 4 years, 2 months ago
user_profile
Catherine 4 years, 2 months ago
user_profile
hofman.mj 4 years, 3 months ago
user_profile
rsiva_98 4 years, 3 months ago
user_profile
troy.a.knight 4 years, 8 months ago
user_profile
jessicashaltry 4 years, 9 months ago
user_profile
visalnip 4 years, 9 months ago