Kings Canyon Backpacking: A 4-Day Sierra Itinerary

Day 1 of 4

Roads End to Paradise Valley · up the South Fork

Pick up your permit and start at Roads End in Cedar Grove, deep in the granite canyon of the South Fork Kings River. Most loop hikers go counterclockwise, up the Woods Creek (Paradise Valley) side first to save the steepest climbing of Glen Pass for a fresh day. The trail follows the river through the lower canyon, then climbs the granite staircase of Mist Falls before easing into the meadows and pines of Paradise Valley.

4 stopsDay one

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Drive from where are you driving from?~2 hr to entrance · long canyon road · Drive

   The nearest major airport is Fresno (FAT), roughly 2 hours from the park entrance, followed by a long, winding drive into the canyon to the Roads End trailhead. The canyon road is seasonal, so confirm it is open, top off your gas, and download offline maps before you lose cell service.

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2. ⠿↑↓2
   Roads End trailhead, Cedar GroveLoop start · pick up your permit · Hike

   Start at Roads End in Cedar Grove, deep in the granite canyon of the South Fork Kings River. Pick up your wilderness permit here and head out counterclockwise, up the Woods Creek (Paradise Valley) side first so you climb Glen Pass on a fresh morning. A bear canister is mandatory from the trailhead on.

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3. ⠿↑↓3
   Mist FallsGranite-staircase climb · waterfall · Viewpoint

   The trail follows the South Fork through the lower canyon, then climbs the granite staircase past Mist Falls, the one real climb of the day. Treat your water, take in the falls, then ease up into the meadows and pines of Paradise Valley.

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4. ⠿↑↓4
   Camp in Paradise Valley~9–10 mi · riverside meadows · lodge

   Camp in or just past Paradise Valley, roughly 9 to 10 miles in, beside the South Fork in riverside meadows and pines. Stash everything in your bear canister, treat water before you cook, and use this lower-elevation night to start acclimatizing before the loop climbs into the high country.

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Day 2 of 4

Woods Creek suspension bridge to Rae Lakes

Climb steadily up the Woods Creek drainage to the famous Woods Creek suspension bridge, a long, bouncy single-file span over the creek where the John Muir and Pacific Crest trails join the loop. Beyond the bridge the trail rises through alpine meadows and granite benches, with peaks closing in on every side, toward the turquoise basin of the Rae Lakes.

3 stopsDay two

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Woods Creek suspension bridgeSingle-file span · JMT / PCT junction · Viewpoint

   Climb up the Woods Creek drainage to the famous Woods Creek suspension bridge, a long, bouncy single-file span where the John Muir and Pacific Crest trails join the loop. Cross one person at a time, then keep climbing through alpine meadows toward the Rae Lakes basin.

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2. ⠿↑↓2
   Climb to the Rae Lakes basinAlpine meadows & granite benches · Hike

   Beyond the bridge the trail rises through alpine meadows and granite benches, with peaks closing in on every side, toward the turquoise basin of the Rae Lakes. It is a steady, scenic climb that delivers you to the most beautiful camp on the loop.

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3. ⠿↑↓3
   Camp at Rae Lakes~8–9 mi · one-night limit · scenic high point · lodge

   Camp at Rae Lakes, roughly 8 to 9 miles on, beneath the Painted Lady and a ring of Sierra summits reflected in the turquoise water. This is the scenic high point of the trip. Note the established sites and one-night camping limit, store everything in your bear canister, and watch the sky for tomorrow's pass.

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Day 3 of 4

Over Glen Pass · Charlotte Lake & Vidette Meadow

This is the big day. Climb the switchbacks above Rae Lakes to Glen Pass at 11,978 feet, the high point of the loop, on a narrow rocky crest with a long view back over the lakes and ahead into the upper Bubbs Creek country. It can hold snow into early summer, so check conditions, pace yourself at altitude, and be over the top early to stay ahead of the weather.

3 stopsDay three

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Glen Pass · 11,978 ftHigh point · rocky crest · cross early · Hike

   Climb the switchbacks above Rae Lakes to Glen Pass at 11,978 feet, the high point of the loop, on a narrow rocky crest with long views both ways. It can hold snow into early summer, so check conditions, pace yourself at altitude, and be over the top early to stay ahead of the afternoon weather.

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2. ⠿↑↓2
   Charlotte LakeShort side trip · alpine lake · Viewpoint

   On the far side the trail drops toward the junction for Charlotte Lake, a worthwhile short side trip off the main loop and a quieter, beautiful camp option if you want to break up the descent. From here the route continues down toward Bubbs Creek.

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3. ⠿↑↓3
   Camp at Vidette Meadow~8–9 mi · on Bubbs Creek · lodge

   Camp around Vidette Meadow on Bubbs Creek, roughly 8 to 9 miles for the day, below the pass. You have crossed the high point and the hardest climbing is behind you, with a long, scenic descent along Bubbs Creek waiting tomorrow. Treat water and stash everything in the canister.

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Day 4 of 4

Down Bubbs Creek back to Roads End

Close the loop with a long, scenic descent down Bubbs Creek, dropping out of the high country through forest and granite back to the South Fork canyon. The trail rejoins the river and follows it the final miles to Roads End, completing the roughly 41-mile loop where you started. It is mostly downhill, but it is a real day of about 12 miles, so start in good time and keep treating your water.

3 stopsDay four

⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Descend Bubbs CreekLong downhill · forest & granite · Hike

   Close the loop with a long, scenic descent down Bubbs Creek, dropping out of the high country through forest and granite back toward the South Fork canyon. It is mostly downhill but a real day, so keep treating your water and watch your footing on the long descent.

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2. ⠿↑↓2
   Close the loop at Roads End~12 mi day · ~41 mi total · Viewpoint

   The trail rejoins the river and follows it the final miles to Roads End, completing the roughly 41-mile loop where you started. It is about a 12-mile day overall, so start in good time. Take a moment at the trailhead before the long drive out of the canyon.

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3. ⠿↑↓3
   Stay in Fresno~2 hr back out of the canyon · near FAT for the flight home · lodge

   Drive about 2 hours back down Highway 180 to Fresno, the nearest major airport (FAT), for a shower and a bed after the loop. If you would rather not drive after a 12-mile day, the seasonal Cedar Grove Lodge sits about 6 miles from Roads End; Three Rivers is the other way, over 2 hours south.

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