• COVID-19 Park and Trail Closures
  • Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
  • Shop
  •  

SoCal Hiker

  • Find a Hiking Trail
    • All Areas
    • Arizona
    • Colorado
    • Los Angeles
    • Orange County
    • Oregon
    • San Francisco Bay
    • Washington
  • Trail Guides
  • Six-Pack of Peaks
    • Colorado Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Bergen Peak
      • Rocky Mountain
      • Birthday Peak
      • Horseshoe Mountain
      • Grays Peak
    • New England Six-Pack of Peaks
    • NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mount Umunhum
      • Mount Saint Helena
      • Mount Tamalpais
      • Mount Diablo
      • Mount Sizer
      • Rose Peak
    • Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Tumalo Mountain
      • Black Butte
      • Black Crater
      • Maiden Peak
      • Mount Bachelor
      • South Sister
    • SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mt. Wilson
      • Cucamonga Peak
      • Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy)
      • San Bernardino Peak
      • San Jacinto Peak
      • San Gorgonio
  • Backpacking
    • High Sierra Trail
    • John Muir Trail
      • Overview of the John Muir Trail
      • Training
      • Day-by-Day Itinerary
      • Resupply Addresses
      • JMT Discussion Forum
    • Lost Coast Trail
    • North/South Lake Loop
    • Rae Lakes Loop
    • Red Peak Pass Loop
    • Theodore Solomons Trail
    • Trans-Catalina Trail
    • Wonderland Trail
  • Gear
  • Forums
    • Latest Topics
    • Ask a Question
    • Campfire
    • Trails
    • Trail Reports
    • Gear Wisdom
    • Classifieds
  • Login

Rae Lakes Loop via Kearsarge Pass

October 31, 2018 By Greg Glass 21 Comments

Backpacking the Rae Lakes Loop via Kearsarge Pass

The Rae Lakes Loop is one of the legendary backpacking routes of the Sierra Nevada.  It essentially makes a big circle around the center of Kings Canyon National Park, and features four amazing canyons and one of the epic sections of the John Muir Trail (JMT).  The beauty of this trail is considered by many […]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Trail Guides Tagged With: Backpacking, Kings Canyon National Park, multi-day, Rae Lakes Loop, strenuous

Muir Taco Adventure #8

August 29, 2018 By Jeff Hester 5 Comments

#MuirTaco Recap - Trail Magic at Muir Pass

Eight years ago, I thru-hiked the John Muir Trail (JMT) for my second time in thirty years. Anytime you are out on the trail for weeks at a time, there comes a point when you miss fresh food. It could be something as simple as a cold glass of milk, or fresh fruit, or… a taco. And […]

Filed Under: Photos Tagged With: Backpacking, John Muir Wilderness, Kings Canyon National Park, MuirTaco, South Lake

The Muir Taco Adventure – 2015 Edition

June 14, 2018 By Jeff Hester Leave a Comment

The Second Annual Muir Taco Adventure

We peered up at the ridge above the cirque, straining to find Lamarck Col. Checking our maps and double-checking the GPS, we found what looked like a playground of car-sized boulders. The silhouette of a lone backpacker sitting at the top confirmed our suspicions — our route was going to involve some scrambling. Little did we know that the other […]

Filed Under: Hiking News, Lifestyle Tagged With: Backpacking, JMT, Kings Canyon National Park, Lamarck, Lamarck Col, McClure Meadow, MuirTaco, PCT, Piute Pass, trail magic

Backpacking the North/South Lake Loop: Little Pete Meadow to Upper Dusy Basin

November 12, 2017 By Greg Glass Leave a Comment

Lower Dusy Basin panorama

DAY FIVE on the North Lake/South Lake Loop For our fifth day on the trail we had a very short hiking day up to Upper Dusy Basin. We also knew it would be a pretty good 2,500 foot ascent over a pretty short distance. We didn’t know a lot about Dusy Basin or what it […]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Trail Guides Tagged With: 6-8 miles, Backpacking, Kings Canyon National Park, strenuous, wilderness

Backpacking the North/South Lake Loop: Sapphire Lake to Little Pete Meadow

November 11, 2017 By Greg Glass 1 Comment

Day 4 - Sapphire Lake to Little Pete Meadow

DAY FOUR on the North Lake/South Lake Loop We woke early and it was cold at Sapphire Lake.  There was ice all over the outside of the rain fly and it took a few minutes for me to warm my clothes inside my sleeping bag before I wanted to put them on. The skies were […]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Trail Guides Tagged With: 11+ miles, Backpacking, hiking, John Muir Trail, Kings Canyon National Park, Muir Pass, Pacific Crest Trail, wilderness

Backpacking the North/South Lake Loop: Goddard Canyon to Sapphire Lake

November 10, 2017 By Greg Glass Leave a Comment

Day 3 - North Lake / South Lake Loop

DAY THREE on the North Lake/South Lake Loop The trail up to Evolution Valley starts off with a 1,000 feet of switchbacks that dig in right away!  The switchbacks follow the waterfall that is Evolution Creek flowing out of the valley – and some of the views are breathtaking.  As you top out, you then […]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Trail Guides Tagged With: 8-10 miles, Backpacking, John Muir Trail, Kings Canyon National Park, Pacific Crest Trail, strenuous, wilderness

Backpacking the North/South Lake Loop: Hutchinson Meadow to Goddard Canyon

November 9, 2017 By Greg Glass 2 Comments

Day 2 on the North Lake/South Lake Loop

DAY TWO on the North Lake/South Lake Loop Our second day on the trail would be relatively short, and connect us with the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail with the Goddard Canyon Junction our destination. We awoke to another beautiful, clear morning and we headed southwest along Piute Creek towards the JMT junction. […]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Trail Guides Tagged With: 8-10 miles, Backpacking, Inyo National Forest, Kings Canyon National Park, Sierra National Forest, Sierra Nevada, strenuous, wilderness

Backpacking the North/South Lake Loop: Piute Pass to Hutchinson Meadow

November 8, 2017 By Greg Glass 3 Comments

Day 1 of 6 - North Lake Campground to Hutchinson Meadow

DAY ONE on the North Lake/South Lake Loop The Piute Pass Trail is a gentle 2,000 ascent up a gorgeous canyon over five miles.  We woke at sunrise at the North Lake Campground, had breakfast and coffee, and broke camp.  We hit the trailhead at approximately 7:30 a.m.  The weather was sunny and perfect. Our […]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Trail Guides Tagged With: 11+ miles, Backpacking, Inyo National Forest, Kings Canyon National Park, Sierra National Forest, Sierra Nevada, strenuous, wilderness

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

About Jeff Hester

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking trails throughout Southern California--and occasionally beyond. I personally hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more...

Connect with SoCal Hiker

  • 22,242 Fans
  • 11,786 Followers
  • 21,640 Followers
  • 1,689 Followers
  • 5,471 Subscribers
  • 333 Subscribers

Get the SoCal Hiker Newsletter

Sign up to get your weekly trail recommendation and the latest updates from SoCal Hiker.

SoCalHiker was selected one of USA TODAY's 10 Best Hiking and Outdoor Blogs
Get our day-by-day guide to thru-hiking the John Muir Trail
Get up-to-day wildfire status throughout California

Products

  • Poster - One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. - John Muir One Touch of Nature Poster $13.00 – $16.00
  • Mt Shasta Benchmark Mount Shasta Benchmark $39.95
  • All the Paths T-Shirt $26.50 – $28.00
  • Mt San Jacinto Mug Mt San Jacinto Mug $15.95

Sponsors

Sponsor SoCalHiker and see your banner here

Featured Posts

Hiking Black Mountain in Rancho San Antonio County Park

At 2,812 feet, Black Mountain looms large, way up, and behind, the smaller hills to … [Read More...]

Hiking Camelback Mountain via the Echo Canyon Trail

Camelback Mountain is the most popular mountain to hike in the Phoenix area for good … [Read More...]

Hiking to High Point on Palomar Mountain in the Cleveland National Forest

Appropriately named High Point is the highest peak in the Palomar Ranger District of … [Read More...]

Lastest Comments

  • Susan Alcorn on Hiking Mount Sizer Loop in Henry Coe State Park
  • Oliver John on 10 Overnight Backpack Trips in Southern California
  • Gustavo on Social Distancing on Public Trails
  • katrien on Gear Review: BioLite Stove
  • Jacob on Vital Link Trail to Verdugo Peak
Get your SoCalHiker stickers now

Get your SoCalHiker stickers!

Latest Posts

  • Hiking Black Mountain in Rancho San Antonio County Park January 31, 2021
  • Hiking Camelback Mountain via the Echo Canyon Trail December 9, 2020
  • Hiking to High Point on Palomar Mountain in the Cleveland National Forest December 4, 2020
  • Hiking Hot Springs Mountain on the Los Coyotes Reservation November 19, 2020
  • New Day Hiking Permit Requirements for Wilderness Areas in the San Bernardino National Forest August 31, 2020

Recent Forum Topics

  • 1st overnight backing trip
  • Recommendations for trips for me and my dog
  • log hikes
  • My Baldy
  • Cactus to Clouds v. Iron Mountain

The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series

Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge SeriesThe Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge gives you an opportunity to explore your world while supporting a great cause.

Flex your adventure muscles!

Learn more here.

 

Search

Tags

3-6 miles 6-8 miles 8-10 miles 11+ miles Arizona Backpacking coastal dog-friendly easy family-friendly High Sierra Trail hiking Hiking The John Muir Trail hipster inspiration JMT John Muir John Muir Trail Kings Canyon National Park LA County moderate Mount Rainier National Park Muir Monday National Forest National Park Orange County Oregon out of bounds Pacific Crest Trail peak peakbagging quote scenic Sierra Nevada Six-Pack of Peaks State Park strenuous Thru-hiking Utah vista Washington waterfall wilderness Wonderland Trail Yosemite

Copyright © 2021 SoCalHiker.net · Metro Theme on Genesis Framework with WPEngine Hosting · Contact SoCal Hiker · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in