Today we’re going straight into a big ascent of 4,000 vertical feet before descending 1,500 feet to Rae Lakes.  I’m starting to learn that this never ends in the Sierras.

Bianca almost to Vidette Meadow	Marmots near Charlotte Lake

We ascend first to Vidette Meadow, which is a very pretty area.  We pass a few other hikers even though it’s very early in the morning.  We’re now on the John Muir Trail, the PCT, and the Rae Lakes Loop, which are all popular trails.  The next section leading to another trail junction is very steep but short, and we see a couple of well-fed looking marmots near the turn off for Charlotte Lake.  The trail continues to rise and we have great views down into the Charlotte Lake area.  Soon after, we are above the tree line in a strange, gravelly moonscape.  We pass a couple of small unnamed lakes oddly devoid of any vegetation.  There’s even a few small patches of snow still up here.  Approaching the high point of the day, Glen Pass, at 11,978 feet, there’s a final series of switchbacks. 

Nearly to Glen Pass	Bianca and Dean at Glen Pass	Rae Lakes view from Glen Pass

With the end in sight, I motor along this last section.  At the pass, we shelter behind some rocks from the sun and wind to have lunch.  We chat with a few other hikers here who are doing the entire John Muir Trail.  A father daughter pair are doing it in 18 days, and a group of seven women are taking 26 days.

After a leisurely time, we begin the descent, which is initially steep and rapid.  As we get back into some trees, the trail flattens out and we are in the Rae Lakes area.

	First close-up view of Rae Lakes

We pass Lower Rae Lake and continue to Middle Rae where camping is allowed.  We’re getting pretty tired by this point and eager to stop and settle in for the rest of the afternoon.  Rae Lake is a very popular campsite and it seems like all of the nice spots on the lake shore are taken.  Dean is starving and suggests that we camp on the ridge a few hundred yards away from the shore.  I’m not keen on that idea after all the work of getting here.  I want some prime real estate.  So, we hunt around a little more and end up finding an excellent spot on the lakeshore.  Now it's time for a little swimming.

Dean at Middle Rae Lake	Middle Rae Lake	Bianca at Middle Rae Lake

After our swim, we set up camp under an old Bristlecone Pine.  We have a really nice evening relaxing here.

Bianca setting up camp	Our campsite on night four

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