Rae Lakes Loop
Kings Canyon National Park, California
- Distance
- 57.4 km
- Elev. gain
- 2,445 m
- Start
- Near Fresno County
- Finish
- Near Fresno County
A simplified drawing of the real route — the distance above is the published figure, not the length of this line.
About this distance
Far shows 57.4 km (35.7 mi) for the Rae Lakes Loop. **This is shorter than the 41.4 miles the National Park Service publishes on its own website**, and the difference is deliberate — plan against the figure here, but expect to see the larger one elsewhere. Two independent measurements of the actual route agree closely: the mapped line Far draws measures 57.6 km, and the Park Service's own mapping data for the loop measures 57.3 km — a difference of about half a percent. Far's 57.4 km sits between them. Nothing published supports 66.6 km except the website's 41.4-mile figure, which no measurement of the route reproduces. Set 2026-08-13 at the founder's direction, replacing a stored 66.6 km taken from that website figure. Elevation gain is measured along the drawn line, which now covers essentially the whole loop.
Common questions
- How long is the Rae Lakes Loop?
- The Rae Lakes Loop is 57.4 km (35.7 miles).
- How much elevation gain does the Rae Lakes Loop have?
- The Rae Lakes Loop has about 2,445 m (8,022 ft) of total climbing, measured along Far's route for the trail.
- Where does the Rae Lakes Loop start and finish?
- The Rae Lakes Loop starts and finishes at Near Fresno County.
- Why do other sources list a different distance for the Rae Lakes Loop?
- Far shows 57.4 km (35.7 mi) for the Rae Lakes Loop. **This is shorter than the 41.4 miles the National Park Service publishes on its own website**, and the difference is deliberate — plan against the figure here, but expect to see the larger one elsewhere. Two independent measurements of the actual route agree closely: the mapped line Far draws measures 57.6 km, and the Park Service's own mapping data for the loop measures 57.3 km — a difference of about half a percent. Far's 57.4 km sits between them. Nothing published supports 66.6 km except the website's 41.4-mile figure, which no measurement of the route reproduces. Set 2026-08-13 at the founder's direction, replacing a stored 66.6 km taken from that website figure. Elevation gain is measured along the drawn line, which now covers essentially the whole loop.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap57.6 km · 2,445 m gain
- Far curator review57.4 km
- Far curator review
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Reviewed by a Far curator on August 11, 2026. Trail conditions, permits, and hazards change — verify before you go.