Hi Tim.
Given the volume of snow we are currently getting in the Sierra, early season (June/July) might still have snow on Glen Pass and deeper water at the kings river crossing.

August/September would be best I suspect for this year.

October can be great!…but it’s also shoulder season so you could have anything from warm and calm to early season fall storms. Because of that storm risk you’d be prudent to carry extra gear. But if you’re flexible, you can get several permits for different dates and then just go based on the 10 day weather report.

Have a great walk in the woods!

Greg,

I am planning a backpack to complete the Rae Lakes Loop that you published in SoCalHiker in 2018. What month would you suggest to complete this backpack? Is October too late?

Thanks.

–Tim

It sounds like you know your way around camping but may be a bit new to backpacking. If so, I would encourage you to take a short trip with an experienced group to get your feet wet first.

As far as the permits, wilderness permits work differently from campsite permits and are reserved according to the entry point into the, well, wilderness. In this case, you would need a wilderness permit for the Onion Valley trailhead. The wilderness permit is valid for the duration of your trip, including crossing into King’s Canyon NP. Campsites provided in this excellent guide are merely suggestions and cannot be reserved as it is dispersed, primitive camping. Essentially, you camp wherever you want as long as you are following the rules.

Go here for Inyo NF Wilderness permits: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233262

1. Does Onion Valley allow for you to leave your car in a parking spot while you’re out hiking or did you have to move it elsewhere?
2. Is starting end of June and doing the first week of July too cold, too risky, etc?

Hi Bob – for the campsites we used (in our write up) there was plenty of room in all of the bear boxes on the trail – never a problem fitting food in them. I always remind people “don’t be a bogart” and stuff your entire pack in the box – just put your canister or your stuff sack full of food/smelly stuff in there and keep everything else at your campsite. Bottom line: PLENTY of room in the bear boxes.

“beer boxes”! Hmm, maybe wishful thinking there. Of course I meant bear boxes!

Greg, great to hear about the bear boxes along the loop. NOT bringing a bear vault would be welcome. The Tom Harrison maps shows box icons (beer boxes) all along the way. I may use those, and a PCT-hang with a Kevlar bag for when they’re not.
Question for you: Are the boxes large enough that in areas where many are camping they can accommodate them all?
I have this same trip planned starting 9/7 and it looks like I’ll be doing it solo. My wife isn’t too keen about that, but it sounds like this is a well-traveled path, so I think I’ll be fine (not my first solo trip).
Thank you for the excellent write up!
Bob

Tom Harrison map titled “Kearsarge Pass Rae Lakes Loop”. I picked one up on Amazon, but you can also get it from good outdoor shops such as REI.

Good morning Roger. Yes – by entering the RLL via Kearsarge pass you accomplish a few things (as noted in the blog): 1) permitting is now through Inyo, much easier than SEKI 2) driving is easier – straight up the 395 instead of winding your way into SEKI. I suggest you follow a couple of things in the blog trip report, including camping the night before at Onion Valley for altitude acclimation.

As far as food goes, depends on how many days you stay out. The trip can be done in 3-4 if you haul ass, or 5-6 if you take your time (like we did). A combination of standard trail snacks and dehydrated meals works well for us. We take a backpacking stove and have hot breakfast (oatmeal and coffee) every morning, cold lunch and hot dinner. You will need to carry everything in a bear canister, HOWEVER as you can see in our blog all of the developed camp sites also have bear boxes you can use to avoid a canister if you want.

Feel free to ping me with any questions you might have – and get a permit and hit the loop. It’s gorgeous.