Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Rae Lakes Loop or Bishop Pass/Mt Jepson Conditions

Hello fellow trekkers, Ive got a few days and was thinking of hitting either Rae Lakes Loop or that very cool hike in the June issue of Backpacker that takes you from Bishop Pass thru Dusy Basin and Mt Jepson? I would really like to hit Mt Agassiz. I suspect Rae Lakes is good to go now, but any help overall for Kings Canyon would be appreciated. thanks

I just came out of the Rae Lakes basin yesterday, over Glenn Pass, and down Bubbs Creek. The pass has some snow, but nothing too difficult. Hiking poles is all we used.

Rae Lakes, especially the lower one is beautiful.

Lots of campers on the south side of the pass -- Charlotte Lake. But only several PCT hikers passing through at Rae Lakes. I wish I could have spent some more time and tried fishing there.

What's the air quality like up there? Does the smoke from the fires in northern California get up to that elevation?

Air quality was terrible! Skies were brown and views were diminished. From the top of Split Mountain, I could not even see the Owens Valley below, about 5 miles away. Other visibility was maybe ten miles.

We could even smell smoke once in a while.

Good point about air quality. I didnt even consider it. In your opinion, is it worth the trip even with the poor air quality or should I wait?

You'll probably have to wait until next year if you want clean and clear views. And then you can't be sure. So go now -- there is still so much to enjoy.

Steve, thanks again for the info. any other last hints or advisories?

Take a little fishing gear (hiking pole with line and hooks is all you need). And make time to do a little fishing.

I might extend my trip with a recommendation like that

Looking at a satellite view of the fires in California, the smoke in the southern Sierras must be coming from the Clover Fire above Kennedy Meadows. The Forest Service is trying to contain part of the fire but at the same time letting the fire burn "for the benefit of the forest".

http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/?search=california